Blog
Madeira Fitness Holiday Recap (Antonia-Stella Q&A)
We wanted a year-round destination with plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities and a welcoming attitude towards travellers. I visited Madeira in late 2021 and found both of these elements in abundance.
Interview with Fabio from Madeira Adventure Kingdom
Fabio Castro, from Madeira Adventure Kingdom, was our guide on our Pico Ruivo to Pico do Arieiro hike in Madeira in April 2023. Antonia from Team MLA caught up with him to find out more about his adventurous spirit and his love for passing it on.
IWD Celebration Workouts & Panel
As a woman-owned business with a team of strong women running the show, International Women’s Day is always a great day to celebrate our fight for equality and invite others to join us.
Adventurer of the month - Tyla
MLA’s very own Tyla is our Adventurer of the Month, as she embodies everything that we stand for. A CrossFit coach turned photographer and avid traveller who balances remote working alongside her work and passions, ‘more life’ is in her blood.
How To Travel, Explore & Compete At The Same Time
With a company mission of ‘move, connect, explore’, it’s no surprise that the More Life Adventures team is made up of individuals who embody these three principles throughout their life. From choosing training programmes that blend fitness with community, to opting for travel experiences that go beyond the beachfront hotel, it’s a lifestyle choice that reaps its rewards.
Tips For The Solo Traveller
If you’ve ever travelled by yourself, you’ll be all too familiar with the range of emotions that came with your first solo trip. A combination of fear and excitement rolled into one, with a million thoughts about the logistics of doing it all on your own. And if you’ve yet to take the solo travel jump, we’re here to help you understand the essentials of planning this magical voyage.
Top Locations For First-Time Solo Travellers
Below we’ve listed a number of locations across Asia and Europe, which are two of the most popular regions for first-time solo travel due to their overall safety, connectivity and convenience.
Meet Gus Vaz Tostes
Gus Vaz Tostes is a face that’s known to many on the London fitness scene. With his iconic long hair & handlebar moustache combo, he’s an inimitable individual both on and off the gym floor. But who is the person behind the Hyrox microphone?
We’re about to find out.
CrossFit Open 2024: MLA Community Stories
With a few weeks to go until the CrossFit Open, we’re gearing up for this pivotal moment in the fitness calendar with a look at what it really means to take part.
Whether you’re new to CrossFit or a seasoned athlete, a fundamental belief lies at the core of the sport: focus on the journey rather than the end result. It's about understanding that progress is a process, and true growth comes from consistency. The Open challenges participants both physically and mentally, and builds a mindset that values effort, resilience, and growth in the pursuit of excellence.
CrossFit Open 2024: How to take part
It’s that time of year when hundreds of thousands around the world get involved in one of the biggest fitness events in the world: the CrossFit Open.
Whether you’re a seasoned competitor, a CrossFit newbie, a fitness enthusiast or a community cheerleader, one thing is certain: the Open is for you.
Top UK Staycations for Fitness Lovers
When it comes to wellness travel and adventures, we don’t always need to look to a far-flung paradise. The picturesque landscapes and charming coastal towns of the UK make it the perfect backdrop for your fitness and wellness escapades.
Reflecting on 2023 and Crafting Adventure Into Your 2024
As the sun sets on yet another transformative year, we find ourselves again at a crossroads of reflection and anticipation. The past year has undoubtedly brought a number of experiences to us all - some challenging, some triumphant, many adventurous! - which shape our individual stories.
5 Ways To Navigate Post-Festive Nutrition
January can be overwhelming for a myriad of reasons. It’s dark, it’s cold, and you’re bombarded with messages everywhere about food and exercise.
The Conscious Gift Guide for Athletes
The festive season is upon us, and with it comes the delightful yet daunting task of finding the perfect Christmas gifts for our favourite people. The challenge lies in selecting presents that not only resonate with your loved ones, but that also stand the test of time and won’t be reduced to landfill matter within weeks.
We guide you through the mystery of sustainable gifts (and essential CrossFit presents!), and offer insights and inspiration to ensure your presents are infused with love and thoughtfulness.
Madeira’s Hidden Gems: Travel Tips for Adventures in Madeira
We ran our first retreat in Madeira last year and completely fell in love with it. Dubbed the “Hawaii of Europe”, Madeira has plenty of tropical adventure opportunities, from the well-known pico-to-pico hiking trail to more off-the-beaten spots. We share what we found and look forward to you experiencing them with us in 2024.
Adventurer of the Month: Aidan Pritchard
Our Adventurer of the Month for November is Aidan Pritchard. Aidan is an avid CrossFitter, channel swimmer and devoted father and husband and embodies what MLA look for in adventure and endurance challenges.
Active fitness escapes a one hour train ride from London
Team MLA is becoming increasingly spread out in different cities around the world , however we still consider London the place we know best. This article is for those of you wanting to escape London for a brief moment .. We share some of our hot tips on where you can go within an hour’s train journey from London to keep you moving throughout the winter.
Adventurer of the Month: Katie Quartermaine
Katie is our Adventurer of the Month and embodies what MLA is all about. Her determination and ability to conquer her fears while bouldering at our first Adventure Club event was truly inspiring. Read on to find out more Katie.
Introducing Adventure Club: Activities To Get You Primed For Your Next Fitness Challenge Event
MLA’s long-awaited Adventure Club has arrived! As we gear up for our second event, what better time to celebrate all that Adventure Club has to offer, and share why we’ve added it alongside our regular programme of workshops and fitness retreats.
Rediscovering Youth Through Fitness And Recovery
As a busy Londoner, I pride myself on being quick and productive, organising my life in little blocks on Google Calendar, getting stuff done at every living moment - be it on my commute, during meal times, and even in the queue for coffee. If there’s a lull in my day, I may as well get things done, right?
The Life-Changing Impact of Travel on Mental Health
We share our personal experiences and insights on the transformative power of mindful travel: each trip we take and every new place we explore leaves us with a fresh outlook and a healthier state of mind.
Relive the magic: A round-up of our 2023 Madeira Adventure
Our first Madeira Adventure was an experience to remember! We had an absolute blast exploring this volcanic island in the middle of the ocean together. To make it even more special, we had our new event manager Leila Fitt as co-host. Here’s her behind-the-scenes account of the trip highlights.
Move, Connect, Explore: The ultimate recipe for wellness
Delve into the key factors scientifically proven to supercharge your mental resilience: moving, connecting, exploring and adventure. Learn how to combine these elements for a holistic approach to well-being and embrace life's adventures for a healthier mind and body.
A word from our Mallorca chef
We work with some incredible chefs on our trips, to provide you with delicious meals to fuel your activities. Here we interview Chef Maira Petrella from Fork Seasons Mallorca who we worked with on our most recent Mallorca Training Holiday.
The joy of small group travel
Group travel used to be intimidating for me. I was accustomed to traveling with friends, family, and people I knew. I was also comfortable with solo travel, enjoying my own company and managing my expectations. Since both of these experiences were within my comfort zone, I never considered joining group trips. However, my perspective changed when I joined in on a More Life Adventures trip for the first time.
What brings you more life?
It really has been a whirlwind of a summer. From London, to Crete, to Mallorca, we've travelled together, taken our fitness both to the gym and beyond, as well as taken great memories back home. We've loved getting to know you all and really hope you have too!
Competing With MLA - Could This Be You?
It’s been a busy few months for our community and team on the comp floor! They have competed in the UK, in Europe and in Asia. We want to celebrate their achievements, and inspire more of you to join in on the fun and compete for MLA for the rest of the year.
Post-Open Recovery: How to Bounce Back
Is your body feeling sore, stiff, or inflamed after the CrossFit Open? Focusing on recovery is crucial to ensure you can return to training refreshed and ready to go. We spoke with two experts in the field, Danny Sayandan from The Livewell Clinic and Hattie Hewitt from MAP Online, to get their advice on recovery after the CrossFit Open.
Prepare like a pro: making the most of the CrossFit Open
Are you ready for 23.1? The Open can be an exciting time of year to push yourself and see what you’re capable of. Whether you're looking to optimise your performance, stay motivated, or handle the pressure of competition, it's important to have a solid plan.
The true value of weightlifting
Jess Vincent tells us about her first experience of weightlifting - on our recent three-day weightlifting weekend in Devon.
Throughout the weekend Jess discovers that rather than being a niche sport for elite athletes, the true value of Weightlifting – a deeper understanding of what your body is capable of and the opportunity to meet like-minded people – is accessible to all.
Allow yourself the space and time to progress in Weightlifting: Interview with Mike Cerbus
Mike Cerbus, Weightlifting Coach at Power Monkey Fitness and former Team USA weightlifter, has been teaching in CrossFit gyms around the world for over 10 years. During our Weightlifting Weekend in Devon, we asked Mike what often holds people back, and why weightlifting holidays, whether you’re competing or just starting out, give us the space and time we need to progress in the sport.
Our upcoming Weightlifting Weekend in April: What to expect
We’re excited to be running our first Weightlifting Weekend this April. Wondering whether it’s for you? Read below our Q&A with Mike Cerbus and Stella Kamba and if you have any questions whatsoever, please drop us a line.
We declare a climate emergency
International Women's Day 2021 - Q&A with Aoife Burke
Aside from being the second fittest Irish woman, Aoife Burke coaches and PTs all levels of CrossFit, spreading love and good spirits along the way.
International Women's Day 2021 - Q&A with Patricia Walsh
This International Women’s Day we couldn’t think of a better person to interview than Patricia Walsh. Patricia has many hats; former professional triathlete, Paralympian, published author, engineer, speaker. She is now a member of a CrossFit gym and this month, she will take part in the CrossFit Open for the first time. We hope you’ll have a read and be just as inspired by her story as we are.
International Women's Day 2021 - Q&A with Rebecca Harris
Ahead of International Women's Day I am spending ten minutes with an inspiring woman I met at the gym. She was my client, then she became my yoga teacher, and then she started teaching on our retreats! There are many sides to Rebecca Harris and I hope you’ll read on to discover a few.
International Women's Day 2021 - Q&A with Emma Gage
Emma Gage is a swimming coach, CrossFit coach and also a swimming coach specifically for CrossFit athletes. She is the owner of SwimWod and co-owner of WOD on Water, the UK's only swimming-based CrossFit competition. Read on to find out more!
International Women's Day 2021 - Q&A with Becs Sandwith
Becs is a registered nutritionist and CrossFit coach with a heart for supporting women along their fitness journey. We’re proud that she is also a MLA ambassador. Read on for the conversation!
International Women's Day 2021 - Q&A with Fraer Morrow
International Women’s Day is around the corner and we are asking a few of the inspiring women we know and love to share some of their wisdom in 10-minute Q+As. We kicked things off with Fraer Morrow; English, British and U23 European Medalist in weightlifting. Read what she had to say!
The Power of Habit and Routine
How do we get consistent with our habits? How do we find a routine that enables the body clock to work with Swiss efficiency?
The 4-Step System For Changing Your Mindset & Developing Control
Maybe you've realised that 50% of CrossFit is mental, and 50% is physical, yet you spend 100% of your time training the physical. We asked Tom Foxley, MindsetRx’D founder, what his method is for helping people train their mind while training their body. Read on and have a think about how it applies to you.
Daily Movement Practice and The Art of Cumulative Gains
What could you achieve in a year with a daily movement practice?
Q & A with Coach Tamara Akcay
Earlier this month, we sat down for a Q&A session with the lovely coach Tamara Akcay, to find out a bit more about her coaching, what it means to train fitness and mindset together, and why it’s so important. Enjoy!
A conversation with Dave Durante
In May 2020 I had a conversation with elite gymnast and passionate educator Dave Durante on zoom, where we talked about his gymnastics career, his competition mindset, his family, the Power Monkey Camp and the things he does for fun. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did!
Training fitness and mindset together
Here at MLA we are so excited to be bringing you our very first Fitness and Mindset retreat this April, in partnership with coach Tamara Akcay and Mindset RxD.
After receiving questions from the MLA community asking exactly what it will involve, I thought I’d put together a short post to explain why I think training fitness and mindset together is so important.
A conversation with Mike Cerbus
I sat down with Mike Cerbus from Power Monkey Fitness to find out what he means when he talks about ‘Strength in Faith’. Read below what we talked about! You can also watch the conversation on YouTube.
What to do before your training session
If you only have about an hour to train and you want to move well and lift heavy things, it pays to prime your nervous system to do that in advance. Visualisation can help.
Resilience
In my first two months of CrossFit I remember being sore every day but still wanting to go back and train the following day. I had to learn resilience fast or I would not make it through the term! Here is what I found.
Make the most out of your training sessions
Are you about to start a new training programme with a new coach? Making the most of your time together can take your training and wellbeing to a whole new level. Below are a few ideas.
Must-read books for wellness
You know it’s a good book when you keep referring back to it. This is an ever-changing list, but these are some of the books that I keep referring back to.
Journaling ideas for emotional health and happiness
In times of quarantine in particular, journaling can be an incredible tool for voicing your true feelings and processing them. This is an outline of various resources I have used for the past 25 years. I hope it helps. Get in touch if you have any questions!
Always ‘on’: the effect of chronic stress on your body
Stress is a part of daily life. We need some of it in our lives, as it allows us to adapt and perform better, whether that is at work, at home or in training. Often we are unaware of the amount of stress we place on ourselves, and we can get close to the tipping point without realising.
When the honeymoon is over
This article is reposted from the Revival Strength blog with the kind permission of Marcus Filly. We are reposting it here because it is relevant to everyone training in CrossFit.
The 2020 CrossFit Open: Taking part and registering
Going by the response to our last story, it looks like a few of you are still in two minds about the CrossFit Open. Remember, taking part and registering online are two different things. You can take part without registering. A few examples below:
How to make the most of the CrossFit Open
The CrossFit Open is our favourite time of the year. Yes, on a par with Christmas! Here is our advice on how to approach it, if you are relatively new to it.
Our Open weekends - your questions answered!
After our recent posts you asked a lot of questions about our upcoming October weekends, mostly to do with the Open. We thought we would get answering them!