Healthy Hollywood: Get Movin’ Monday – Fencing For Gold!

The 2012 London Olympics are almost here and Healthy Hollywood couldn’t be more excited. Who doesn’t love to watch all the super-talented athletes compete for the gold? And of course, there’s always an Olympic sensation that rises out of seemingly nowhere to capture hearts worldwide.

This summer, it might be Team USA Olympic fencer Tim Morehouse.

He’s got model good looks, an amazing personality and is out to not only nab the gold but bring this gentleman’s game into the spotlight.

“I’ll let people in on a little secret, fencing is the greatest sport in the world, and people are just starting to catch on now,” reveals Tim to Healthy Hollywood.

The London games will be Tim’s third Olympics. He took home the silver medal four years ago and says he’s been training for this Olympics even since.

“For us, training is a full time job. We’re training as much as an NFL or NBA player just without the million dollar contracts. We train five days a week. We typically do a five to seven hour day of training and that includes conditioning, fencing, sports psychology, video work and cardio,” reveals Tim, who adds, “I think representing your country is one of the most important things you can do. So we are going to try to do it the best we can.

The 33-year-old fencer typically starts off his day with an intense two-hour conditioning/strengthening session that includes lots of footwork and a series of exercises with a medicine ball. Then, he’ll spend time in the early afternoon with a physical therapist and do sports massage and a variety of stretching. He’ll finish off the day with one-on-one training with his fencing coach and also a group practice with his Olympic team-mates.

But, Tim says the mental training is equally as important, adding, “Anyone who is going to the Olympics has an amazing workout regimen, but I think what really separates people comes down to the mental part of it. Each of us works with a sports psychologist and we do a lot of mental training.”

Also, like many competitive athletes, Tim has few must-do rituals to get his competitive mojo flowing. “Before we won our medal in Beijing, I watched an Adam Sandler movie, so I’m definitely planning on watching an Adam Sandler movie before I compete. Also, we, fencers wear long socks, so first thing in the morning I put on my long socks and it helps me feel like I’m getting ready to compete,” states Tim.

— Terri MacLeod

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