Célia Karleskind is the free electron of our ambassadors! Always on the move, she first put on skis at the age of 4. Since then, this Chamonix native has collected titles, first in cross-country skiing, then in triathlon, marathon and trail. She draws her boundless energy from her diet and her knowledge of micro-nutrition. Follow her to find out more!
ALGORIGIN: Tell us a little about your background!
Célia: I was born and raised in Chamonix, much to my delight! I went to ski school in Chamonix and then went on to high school in Le Fayet.
A: How long have you been involved in sport? What sports did you do when you were a child?
C: I've been doing sport since I was 4-5 years old, I started by winning the MINI VASA, a cross-country ski race, then I took up gymnastics and then came back to cross-country skiing.
Read also: Algorigin, Chamonix partner
A: How and when did you realize you had a talent for cross-country skiing? Why did you choose this discipline?
C: I chose this discipline because my 2 older brothers did it. So I decided to give up gymnastics. But if my mother had put me on the piano, I'd surely have done it! I don't know if I had the talent, but in any case I loved going to training, being outside in contact with nature and meeting up with my friends! We were runners-up to the Russians in the UNSS world junior high school team championship, and I think that must have made me want to keep going!
A: What's the happiest memory of your career as a top-level athlete?
C: Without a doubt, my title as French double pursuit champion and the party we had afterwards!
A: Why did you stop doing this sport?
C: After overtraining, I became exhausted and started to perform less well. I couldn't stand not being out in front!
A: Would you have any advice for other athletes on how to avoid overtraining?In fact, did it play a role in your choice of profession?
C: To avoid overtraining, I'd advise you to prioritize quality over quantity, and above all to listen to yourself, because coaches don't live in your body, and you can sense when your body and mind are exhausted.
Yes, it did play a role, because following this episode, Denis Riché took me in hand and steered me towards micronutrition. I was very enthusiastic about it, and it helped me to choose this profession.
A: What sports do you practice today?
C: I've taken up climbing, running, ski touring, downhill skiing and yoga.
A: Tell us about the CCC (01/09/2017), you came 26th in your category!
C: A perfect RACE! I enjoyed myself all the way and never regretted taking the start. I maintained a fairly slow cruising pace so as not to tire too quickly. My only objective was to finish. My best friend did the first part with me, which made the course more fun. I was very good on the uphills, but I was more apprehensive on the downhills because I had injured my ankle in May. In the end, I took them well! I managed this race well on all levels (nutrition, rest, hydration...), I enjoyed myself, I hesitate to do it again for fear that it won't go as well! I was lucky in that 1 month before the race, some friends suggested a cycle of strength training and plyo, which enabled me to finish "rather fresh"!
A: Where do you get your motivation for your sporting challenges?
C: I don't know! It's probably because I'm so demanding of myself, and a bit from my ego no doubt! If I don't set myself goals, I tend to let myself go too much!
A: How did your interest in micronutrition come about?
C: Thanks to Denis Riché, who looked after me when I was overtraining.
A: You're not just a great sportswoman. Tell us a little about your career as a nutritionist!
C: I obtained my BTS in Dietetics in 2009, during which I did an internship at Efficium, where I made friends with the director! Then, for 4 years, I joined Phytolis, a distributor of micronutrition and phytotherapy products, as a medical delegate and pharmacy trainer. And, since the end of 2016, I've been working as an independent nutritionist at Efficium. I work with athletes through Algorigin but also Run & Sens, a training center. I also write health articles for the Zanatura website.
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A: What are the main reasons people come to see you as a nutritionist?
C: Because I'm mega cool! No kidding, it's true that I have a good rapport with patients, and they feel that I'm not here to frustrate them or put them on an unsustainable diet.
A: How do you assess a patient's needs? How does a session with you go?
C: During an initial 1h30 meeting, I take a history of the patient's overall health. I take measurements of body fat, dry mass, water and fluid balance... and, above all, I listen. This is vital, not only to find out what they're aiming for, but also to get a feel for their personality and find the right levers to support them in their change.
Then we meet again several times, with more or less spacing between appointments, possibly after specific biological analyses have been carried out.
A: What's your trick for getting your patients to progress?
C: Positive manipulation! The word can be frightening, but it shouldn't be. By playing on patients' interests and motivations, they find it much easier to follow their program.
A: What do you like best about your job?
C: Talking to people and helping them feel better about themselves.
A: Tell us about your next projects!
C: Learn to be good!
And maybe a UTMB (Ultra Trail du Mont-Blanc), a naturopathy and yoga course. Take pleasure in leisure sports and climb without fear of heights! And also, the Mont-Blanc via the Bionassais ridge, the Giant's tooth, the Matterhorn.
A wedding in India! Not mine, but a great party in prospect.
A surfing trip to Indonesia!
A: Do you yourself follow a particular nutritional plan?
C: Yes, I eat according to my emotional hormones! I apply what I suggest to patients according to my needs. I cook a lot.
A: What are your top dietary tips / tricks for feeling good?
C: Stop alcohol first!
A: Which Algorigin products have you already tried?
C: Spirulina
A: What do you think are the advantages of seaweed?
C: It's all good stuff! All the vitamins and minerals except vitamin C, and all the amino acids. And they have lots of other resources. They're complete and perfect for sportsmen and women.
A: Have you seen any particular improvements in your daily life since taking seaweed?
C: I'll answer that when I've tried more seaweed!
A: How do you prefer to eat seaweed?
C: Capsules with a glass of water. Quick and easy!
A: Do you have a seaweed-based recipe to share with us?
C: Mackerel with a seaweed tartar spread on good gluten-free bread.
Read also: Interview Diego Pazos
MORE ABOUT CÉLIA KARLESKIND :
- Her age: 30 (Born on 31.07.87)
- Family: 2 older brothers, aged 37 and 35
- Sport: Cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, ski touring, climbing, running
- Occupation: Micronutritionist dietician
- You in 3 words: Spontaneous, caring, "painting by nature"!
- Awards :
- 2004: French double pursuit cross-country skiing champion
- Between 2004 and 2006: several European cross-country ski cups, including 2 top-20 finishes.
- 2009: French U23 mountain running champion
- 2014: 1st in the 23 km trans'ju trail.
- 2014-2015: Triathlon
- 2016: 4th in the trail des fiz (70 km) and 25th in the mont blanc marathon
- 2016: A few team victories in short multisport raids (over 1-2 days) with friends
- 2017: CCC finisher in 18h46
