Hybrid Athlete and Adventure Seeker, Meet Nicola Macbeth!
Just take one look at Nicola's Instagram feed and you'll be inspired! A hybrid competitive athlete, adventure seeker and travel junkie, Nicola leads a life many dream of!
From competing at international HYROX events to climbing mountains, playing AFL and being a personal trainer, Nicola has also worked as a VCE PE teacher to train and inspire the next generation. She's now pursuing sports nutrition and hybrid competitions across the world.
Hey, I'm Nic!
I'm a competitive hybrid athlete with international experience, having competed both in Australia and overseas.
I grew up in Edinburgh, Scotland, where I played field hockey and competed in track and field and cross country.
I relocated to Australia eight years ago to study sports science and complete my teaching degree. As a VCE PE Teacher, coach, and personal trainer, I immersed myself in the world of sports and developed a keen interest in 'fuelling for performance'. I am passionate about advocating for participation in sport and fitness, especially among women, and educating people on effective nutrition protocols - an often misunderstood, but rapidly growing field.
In December 2019 I faced a significant setback when I ruptured my CFL, PFL, ATFL, and Peroneus. It resulted in a full ankle reconstruction where I had to 'learn' how to run again, closely followed by a twelve-hour surgery to repair a field hockey injury to my nose and cheek.
Despite these challenges, and a brief battle with sepsis, I made a remarkable comeback after being told competing again would be unlikely. It took me on a slightly longer journey, but one that taught me invaluable lessons about the resilience of the mind and body. I drove even harder to be that 1% better every day and I learned to appreciate the little wins.
I decided to leave teaching in 2024 to pursue a career in sports nutrition, while continuing to compete in hybrid competitions.
My involvement with Bulk Nutrients began when I discovered their HASTA-certified products, which allowed me to supplement with regulated and approved products. As a Bulk Nutrients ambassador, I am honoured to educate my clients and community on science-backed products and methods to enhance performance and aid recovery.
I hope you enjoy my recipes and workouts and feel inspired to pursue your own fitness and sporting goals!
Nicola's Recommended Products
Here are some of the products I use and recommend!
Creatine Monohydrate
Why I love it: I'm into the way it mixes so well. It doesn't sit at the bottom, and it doesn't taste 'grainy.' It doesn't have any taste to it which also makes it easy to drink prior to training.
How I use it: I have a few methods. I sometimes take it after training with Whey Protein Isolate to replenish ATP and protein stores. I often make a shake with eggs, almond milk, Chocolate Honeycomb Bulk Nutrients Protein Powder and Creatine Monohydrate. OR I consume creatine prior to training (approximately 30 minutes before exercise) dissolving it in a cup of cold water. Simple :)
My go-to choice is 250g
BCAA Recovery
Why I love it: The flavour - it's fresh!
How I use it: With crushed ice - ooft.
My go-to choice is 250g Lemonade
Beta Alanine
Why I love it: I love that it doesn't have a taste as such, it's very easy to drink 15-20 minutes before training. It helps create that 'buffer' of the acid build up, and you really feel that during your sessions. I use it for that extra 1%!
How I use it: Shot of water just before training - not enough that you need to pee during the session, so it works for me!
My go-to choice is 250g
HASTA Whey Protein Isolate
Why I love it: The SMELL of it alone is to die for. But the taste is out of control. I love it. So much, if you can't tell.
How I use it: Okay, so I've made brownies with it, rice krispies with it and I make a protein shake with eggs, almond milk, bananas and sometimes I add creatine too. YUM.
My go-to choice is 1kg Chocolate
Citrulline Malate
Why I love it: Flavour is pretty neutral so it makes for easy consumption.
How I use it: Shot of water does the trick.
My go-to choice is 250g
Nicola's Approach to Nutrition
I go for 'colourful' and tend to eat 'what I want.'
I'm a creature of habit, and I do tend to migrate to foods I love, as well as the fact that I am dairy intolerant so when I know things 'work' I tend to stick with them if I know they agree with my stomach. However, I love trying new foods and I'm a big chocolate addict.
My favourite foods are Sushi, Poke Bowls, Fajitas, Pasta, Seafood (Prawns and Calamari for the win), Steak, Chicken Satay, and ANYTHING sweet potato.
My approach to eating is that food is fuel; you drive your car and if you put the wrong fuel in it, it won't work as well, and if doesn't have enough fuel, it won't work at all. Fuelling for 'health' and fuelling for 'performance' are also two very different things, and the intricacy of nutrition shouldn't be underestimated. It's why it's very misunderstood, because we all have such different needs.
I tend to live by these principles; balance my macronutrients and pay attention to your micronutrients, time your meals well (post and pre workout,) focus on hydration and go for quality over quantity, ensure you have a plan for your recovery nutrition, and use supplementation wisely to fill in nutritional gaps/where it can be beneficial.
Remember, personalisation is key - listen to your body, plan ahead and seek professional advice where required.
Average daily calorie intake? 2400-2600.
Any foods you avoid? Dairy, sadly (intolerant).
Any foods you crave? Always always always Calamari. I'd love to know why.
Your go-to cheat meal? Lasagne. Mum's one hits.
My Day on a Plate
A typical day looks something like this:
Breakfast: Bulk Nutrients Chocolate Honeycomb protein shake with Creatine, Eggs and Oat/Almond Milk, and an almond latte with a teaspoon of honey.
Lunch: Watermelon & grapes, an apple, carrot, tumeric smoothie, a serve of seaweed, brown rice & 100 grams of chicken.
Late afternoon: 50-75 grams of chicken, Bulk Nutrients Chocolate Honeycomb protein shake/baked goodie.
Pre training: Bulk Nutrients Creatine (30 mins prior to exercise), Bulk Nutrients Beta Alanine (15-30 minutes prior to exercise).
During/post training: BCAA recovery lemonade - with ice!
Dinner: Steak with sweet potato mash and broccolini.
Weekly Workout Plan
Monday: Morning - 6km progressive run - 1km easy/1km moderate/ 1km hard, times two. I like the week-by-week progression in my pace. I have targets to stick to, and it's a real battle to hold my pace in those harder km's.
Evening - Strength session.
Tuesday: Morning - strength workout. Evening - HYROX session (40-60 minute engine-based workout incorporating HYROX exercises. My favourite exercise is wall balls).
Wednesday: Erg intervals - alternate ski/row, 12 x 500 metres (two minutes rest in between sets).
Thursday: Morning - 10km compromised run (5 burpees every 2km, + 5. So 0km is 5 burpees, 2km 10 burpees, 4pm 15 burpees etc.) Evening - Strength workout.
Friday: Rest or active recovery: easy 20,000 exercise bike (zone 2).
Saturday: Strength workout & Saturday team swear (training with others makes me puuuuuush. Especially people better than you!)
Sunday: HYROX session - 110 minutes.
Latest Results
Do you have any medium/long term goals you're working towards?
- Summit Mt Kilimanjaro (which I did!)
- Podium at HYROX for doubles and womens singles this year.
- Win Surf Life Saving sprints comp.
- Run the length of New Zealand for charity.
- Compete in Hawaii Marathon December 2024
- Run first Trail Run Comp (Tekapo October 2024)
Have you had any exceptional results (in competitions or otherwise) in the last few years?
- HYROX 4th place Womens Melbourne HYROX.
- HYROX world championships qualifier.
