Jessica Jane Applegate MBE International Swimmer, Paralympic Champion and World Record Holder becomes FitBites ambassador.  We are a little chuffed to say the least!  To get to know  our new ambassador a little better, we asked asked Jess a series of questions;

What motivated you to get into swimming and why do you love it?
My mum taught me to swim when I was very young, I live very close to the sea & rivers & she always said it was an important life skill. I had lots & lots of energy as a child, I got into trouble at school because of this but the more I swam the more energy I used up! Swimming is my space, my place when I can dream about anything, it’s so quiet under the water & I really love that.

How do you mentally prepare for a big competition?
The big competitions are fun & I have to control my excitement more than stress. I find it difficult to keep an ongoing strong mind set for the months of training going into a competition & that’s where I am very lucky & have the full support of my coach, family & friends.

What thoughts raced through your mind as you were presented with your Paralympic medal?
I had only just turned 16 years old when I won Gold in 2012 & I really dont think even I knew what was really happening. To win at any event is amazing but a home games is such an amazing experience. When I won two silvers & a bronze in Rio I was incredibly pleased & proud but the competitive side of me was already planning my training schedule as I wanted Gold like everyone does as that’s the goal we aim for.

FitBites ‘Bite Back’ project encourages kids to become more active and try a sport. Why would you recommend kids give sport a go?
I recommend everyone to give sport a go & that’s any sport. It’s fantastic for keeping fit & healthy, the more active you are in the day the better you sleep in the evening, it helps you to meet people & become part of a team, it gives you responsibilities & disciplines, it’s great for mental health & my favourite……..the more I exercise the more I can eat 😊

What is your favourite FitBite flavour and why do you like them?
FitBites are awesome! They are the perfect size for a quick & convenient snack, they contain natural ingredients & are full of flavour. My favourite is Orange Maca and Cacao Nibs, it is so zesty & tastes & smells really refreshing.