Jade Neilsen - Lead into the London Olympics

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Category: Jade Neilsen

Matt: Firstly, how did you feel when you realised you made the Australian swimming squad to go to London?
Jade: Relief. I was so anxious about the whole thing, so once I qualified it just felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders.

Matt: Did it take a while to sink in, or are you still pinching yourself everyday making sure it is all real?
Jade: It's still sinking in, I think. I'm really going to have to be there and begin to experience it all (like living in the village, eating at the dining hall, walking the opening ceremony etc) before I realise that this is really happening. Although when i think about competing in London, I get butterflies and get pretty excited by it, which tells me I am definitely ready to go.

Matt: What does it mean for you to be going to London?
Jade: Everything. To have qualified to swim at an Olympic games is something very few swimmers are able to achieve. It's such an honor and I'm so pleased that through everything my family and coaches have always supported me and made it possible for me to get where I am today.

Matt: You are currently over in Switzerland, take us through firstly why you are there and the training you will be doing from now until the games?
Jade: We arrived in Switzerland on the 28th of June to train for two and a half weeks prior to the staging camp in Manchester, simply to become adjusted to the time zones and break up the prep a little bit. We didn't break after trials and we haven't travelled at all since worlds last year, so to be able to come away and settle somewhere else is always good motivation.

I am still in full training right up until we enter the village. Only about a week left and I start taper!! Yay!! Training is right on track and I look forward to seeing what I can produce in London.
 
Matt: If you look back on your swimming career from when you first started, is there one defining moment you can remember where you said to yourself I want to go to the Olympics and I need to push myself to the limits day in, day out to achieve my goals?
Jade: After I moved back home from Canberra at the end of 2010. I had learned how to be a professional athlete while staying at the AIS and I was determined to make things work at home. I worked out small goals or stepping stones that I believed I needed to make to get to London. I'm someone who really struggles looking at the long term things, so I've learned I always need to break things down to make it easier for me to achieve.
 
Matt: If you get a chance, what other sports are you hoping to be able to watch in London?
Jade: I would love to go see the men's basketball final! As well as see Rafael Nadal play! I'm pretty interested in watching the Athletics, BMX, water polo, gymnastics and pretty much anything I can get a ticket to!
 
Matt: Do you use any form of supplements to help your recover, i.e. proteins, energy drinks?
Jade: I use Extend BCAAs, Evolve L-Glutamine and Next Generation's WPI powder. I'll take these before, during and after training to help in recovery.

Matt: What is your typical mindset during warm up, how do you switch yourself on to race?
Jade: I always focus in on what I'm going to do during warm up, how I want to feel, the pace I want to be at etc. I just really zone in on myself and not think about where I am competing or what I'm competing for.

Matt: First thing you pack before heading to a race?
Jade: My racing suits

Matt: If you could trade places with any other person for a week, famous or not famous, living or dead, real or fictional. with whom would it be?
Jade: Either Adriana Lima or Harry Potter
 
Matt: Favourite outfit?
Jade: I love wearing my skinny jeans with a nice t-shirt and converse.

Matt: Jade Neilsen's top 5 tips on picking a movie?
Jade: I'm not much of a movie buff, but if Ryan Goslings in it.. I'm sold.

Matt: Anything you would like to say to your fans/supporters?
Jade: Thank you!