Get to Know our Ambassadors: Dr Nick
You may well recognise our good friend Dr Nick Ambatzis from his frequent features on our blog, where you can find him separating the facts from the fiction when it comes to health and fitness advice. As if being a General Practitioner specialising in Sports and Exercise Medicine wasn’t impressive enough, Nick is also an accomplished ultra-marathon runner, having competed in many cross-country and cross-alpine races, ranging from 50-100 miles. We got chatting to our inspirational ambassador to find out how he manages to stay quite so fit and healthy with such a hectic schedule.
What’s Your Favourite Neat Nutrition Product?
Chocolate Whey Protein & Supergreens (I couldn’t pick one over the other)
How did you get started in health and fitness?
At school I was chubby but always fit, playing water-polo and running cross-country. I continued both at uni, but it was when I started working that I really stepped it up a notch and started looking after my diet also. I wanted to educate the public on health and fitness and so left hospital medicine, attained a MSc in Sports & Exercise Medicine and attacked the front lines as a GP.
If you weren't in this job, what would you be doing?
Physicist or engineer. In any case, something science based.
What’s your ‘Day on a Plate’ look like?
Breakfast: Coffee and a protein shake after my morning workout mixed with full fat milk.
Lunch: I keep lunch fairly light because I usually train in the afternoon and can’t do it on a full stomach. So I’ll have turkey, Greek yoghurt mixed with Neat Supergreens and some walnuts
Dinner: I’m not a big fan of cooking so I prefer something with little prep time that I can come home to. Slow cookers are great for this, and my dinner is usually a meat/veg creation that’s been cooking in the slow cooker for 12-24 hrs.
What’s your favourite workout?
Any workout that stresses VO2Max, especially if it involves a kettlebell.
If you only have 20mins a day to work out, what exercises would you recommend?
There are so many...without kit: AMRAP 5 push-ups, 10 sit-ups, 15 burpees.
Favourite shake recipe and why?
Neat’s Whey, milk, cinnamon and hazelnut butter. I can convince myself I’m drinking Nutella!
What's your favourite guilty pleasure snack?
Nutella & a spoon.
Give us an easy 30 minutes or less meal and work out.
Steamed salmon and broccoli in the microwave takes about 5 mins, which leaves 25mins for any HIIT workout.
What have you wanted to quit but didn't?
Every single ultra I’ve ever done; without exception.
How do you recover from illness or feeling rundown?
As Blain in Predator says: "I ain't got time to bleed"! Seriously though, I listen to my body and take appropriate time off to rest, then get into my routine by building back up with active recovery.
Lots of people are short on time – what are quick and easy ways to stay fit and healthy that fit a busy lifestyle like yours?
Time is never a reason to not exercise. Even with the busiest schedule, you can squeeze in any 20 minute HIIT workout. There are days I get up at 5am to go training.
Lastly, why is being a Neat Ambassador important to you?
Firstly, the taste and quality of the products is amazing however, the ethos and desire to educate is absolutely vital for me.