She Strengthens

Unlocking Mental and Physical Well-being with Joe Wicks

Imagine logging onto a Zoom call and being greeted by a familiar face – Joe Wicks, MBE, aka The Body Coach. We had the privilege of chatting with Joe about his top tips for staying mentally and physically on-point when you’re stuck at home. But first, let’s introduce Joe, a renowned trainer who has made a significant impact on the UK’s fitness scene.

Who is Joe Wicks?

Joe is a seasoned trainer who has written books, led sessions in schools, and operated classes under his alias The Body Coach. However, it was his livestreamed YouTube gym classes for kids called “PE With Joe” during the UK’s first COVID-19 lockdown that catapulted him into the spotlight. These classes reached millions of kids (and their relieved parents) across the country, providing a much-needed alternative to physical education.

The Genesis of “PE With Joe”

“I had this overwhelming sense that I’ve got to try and do something,” Joe recalls. “I’d already been on this massive campaign visiting schools and doing the ‘PE With Joe On Tour’ sort of thing, and I’ve done the odd live workout, but never on this scale.” The impact was enormous, with 850,000 viewers tuning in on the first Monday and 954,000 by Tuesday. The program continued for another 18 weeks, supporting kids in lockdown.

A Focus on Mental Health

Joe’s primary motivation wasn’t physical health; it was people’s mental well-being. “I just thought that it was going to be positive if I can do something for half an hour that’s going to give them something to focus on and a bit of structure to their day and take away stress and frustration they might have felt towards not being in school,” Joe explains.

The Royal Recognition

You might have noticed the letters “MBE” after Joe’s name. These stand for Member of the British Empire, an award given by the Queen for outstanding contributions to the nation. Joe received his MBE for his contribution to the fitness and mental health of the nation. He’s yet to attend the ceremony, ironically due to COVID-19 restrictions, but it’s happening at Windsor Castle this year.

Joe Wicks’ 5 Key Lockdown Well-being Tips

By Royal decree, here are Joe’s top tips for staying mentally and physically on-point during challenging times:

1. Prioritize Mental Health

Approach exercise and nutrition from a mental health perspective first. Focus on the mood-boosting benefits of exercise, and the rest will follow. “For me, it’s always about the mood-boosting benefits of exercise,” says Joe. “Of course, I love being lean, I feel strong and confident, but that’s not really what drives me.”

2. Enjoy Your Food

Eat what you enjoy, and don’t get too hung up on specific diets. “Flavor’s important,” Joe enthuses. “Ultimately, as long as you enjoy the food you’re eating and you just focus on the portion sizes, it’s more important than following a particular eating plan.”

3. Make Time for Wellness

You don’t need hours to prioritize wellness. “All you need is a 15-minute meal and a 20-minute workout. That’s manageable and achievable,” Joe suggests. “I encourage people to remove the barriers and limitations in their minds that they don’t have time or energy.”

4. Find Balance with Wearables

While some people love tracking every element of their fitness, Joe believes that it’s not essential for health and fitness. “You might be better off spending that $700 on some home equipment you can actually use, or really good food to fuel your body the next couple of months.”

5. Be Kind to Yourself

Don’t shame yourself for veering off-track. “Food makes you feel good. Exercise makes you feel good. Sometimes, you turn to food. Other times, you turn to exercise,” Joe reassures us. “As long as you don’t let a bad day turn into a bad week, and then a bad week into a bad month, you can have the odd blowout and it’s not going to do you much damage.”

The Final Word

If Joe had 30 seconds to share a message with the world, it would be: “You have the ability to change the way you feel by moving your body. If you’re struggling with your emotions — you’re stressed, down, angry, or frustrated — try a HIIT training session, a bike ride, or taking your dog for a walk. Let exercise come into your life. Because when you combine exercise with good food and sleep, you live on a higher wavelength and you can just take all the challenges that come from life.”