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PICTURED: Olympic athlete Sarah Claxton

SHOUT OUTS to all those who celebrated St Patrick’s Day over the weekend! I forgot to have my yearly pint of Guinness this time around. Don’t you just love the Irish and their encouragement for all of us to join in and celebrate? London turns into little Ireland for the day! That’s what I call real community spirit!

I had the personal pleasure to DJ for famous actor, writer and director Adrian Lester. Adrian hosted a fantastic birthday celebration at his wonderful home in south London, along with his wife, actress Lolita Chakrabarti, their two lovely daughters, wider family, and industry friends from the start of his career up until present day! Adrian was awarded an OBE for his services to drama and is known for British TV series The Hustle, US sitcom Girlfriends and films such as The Day after Tomorrow and Spider-Man 3, to name but a few!

BIRTHDAY: Mr Play with Adrian Lester, left, who recently celebrated his 50th birthday

Yes, my man Adrian tore up the dance floor in true style and even had the guests doing the candy routine to more than just the tune itself! That was easily beyond 10 mins...sick!

Big shout out to Charlie Jay for helping me out and providing the sound for the evening, it was great to see you bro and work together again for a lovely celebration like this!

CELEBRATION: Charlie Jay, left, with Adrian Lester

This week I catch up with two-time Olympic British athlete and Team GB's finalist hurdler, Sarah Claxton, who shares her journey and gives advice to aspiring athletes.

Q: Who is Sarah Claxton?

A: I am a two time Olympian, I grew up in Colchester, Essex with my mum and two brothers. I have always loved doing sport. I enjoy playing tennis now that I have retired from competitive track and field.

Q: What inspired your athletics career?

A: I started doing athletics when I was 7 years old. I was spotted by a club coach at an athletics event and asked to join the local club. But my mum has told me I was always running around the garden from a young age. Once I was at the club I started to compete in local club events and on national squads too!

Q: What are your major milestones and achievements?

A: My major milestones and achievements have been competing at my first major championship in Australia at 15 years old. It was the World Juniors in Sydney and I competed in the long jump. I made national and international teams from the age of 15 and have competed at European, World, Commonwealth Games and the Olympics! My major achievement was making the 100m hurdles final in the Beijing Olympics in 2008. Very much an underdog story. The whole games felt so surreal, it was for sure a dream come true. I am an Olympic finalist!

FOCUSED: Sarah Claxton now helps others achieve their fitness goals

Q: What was it like representing Team GB?

A: It was a great experience competing for team GB. I travelled to countries I had always wanted to visit. China was the dream country and I made it there, and achieved a childhood ambition. I got to meet different people from different countries also. Competing for Great Britain is the most fulfilling and inspiring.

Q: What have you been up to since retiring from Track & Field comps?

A: Since I have retired from track and field I have become a personal trainer (the career most athletes venture into).

I love what I do as I am able to help and motivate people on their own fitness journeys. I enjoy helping them to also improve their health through exercise. I worked at a gym called Embody Fitness in central London, and I have now moved with the same company to Dubai. I am so glad I made the move as it was a new start and new challenge. I have also started playing tennis, I needed a new competitive sport to focus on. As I just couldn’t bear to give up sport completely!!

Q: What advice would you give young aspiring athletes wanting to represent GB?

A: Anyone looking to get Into track and field should find there local club and join one of the groups there. The training is usually in the evenings and u get to compete for the club also

Q: Where can we find and follow your journey?

A: You can find me on Instagram @claxtonsarahor through Embody Fitness Dubai @embodyfitnessdxbif you’re looking for a personal trainer and live or are looking to live out in Dubai!

Additional contributions from Steph D’Sa

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