GET STRONGER with Charity Williams

23 year old Charity Williams takes her training very seriously. An athlete for most of her life, Charity had dreams early on of being an Olympic medallist, though by her own admission it was gymnastics and not rugby that she believed would net her the sought-after medal. Her focus changed at 14 when the Toronto native took up rugby, and she hasn’t looked back since. The Olympic colour is bronze, which Williams hopes to improve upon in 2021. Determined, Charity is the epitome of working hard to get where you want and need to be. She was kind enough to give her two cents on where her incredible work ethic comes from:

What does a day of training in the life of an Olympic athlete look like?

CW: Life for me as an Olympic athlete probably looks different than most. We have a very strict schedule that has pretty much mapped out our entire day. We start early in the morning and usually do about three training sessions a day. In between sessions, we have physiotherapy appointments, video analysis meetings, lunch, mobility, and any extra skills work if needed. So it’s safe to say we are quite busy!

What do you think is your biggest strength and how do you train to maximize that strength?

CW: I’d say my biggest strength on the field is my explosiveness and speed. I do a lot of lower body work in the gym to keep my legs as strong as they can be. Also, we have many speed sessions where I’m able to get tons of feedback on how I can maintain my speed and work towards becoming milliseconds faster!

What is your favourite exercise to do in the gym?

CW: My favourite exercise in the gym is power cleans! I love Olympic lifting.

What is your source of inspiration to keep pursuing your goals?

CW: My source of inspiration comes from many places, however I’d say one of my biggest drives comes from the inspiration I give others. On my toughest days I remember that there are so many people that want to be in my position and are unsure if they can get there. I feel like if I can keep going it tells them that they can too!

What kind of music do you listen to in the gym to increase your motivation?

CW: I listen to pretty much anything in the gym, but when I’m exhausted I have to throw on some hip hop to get me through.

How do you decompress and relax after a long training day?

CW: After a long training day I like to relax by taking my dog to the ocean and just reflecting on the day. Luckily, I live in Victoria so I can do this everyday.

How do you spend your free time?

CW: My free time is spent hanging out with my pup and exploring the Island.

How important is nutrition to you? What do you eat to recover from training days?

CW: Nutrition is incredibly important to me. I can’t get through the day unless I’m putting the right nutrients in my body. After a day of training I like to eat lots of protein and carbs to help my body recover! And I try to never forget the vegetables (haha!).

Where do you see yourself after playing rugby?

CW: After rugby, I see myself in Toronto. I want to live there and help as many youth as I can to achieve their goals.

What is a guilty pleasure that you have?

CW: One of my guilty pleasures is my Netflix addiction!

Are you an early bird or a night owl?

CW: I am a night owl.

What was your dream job when you were a kid?

CW: My dream job growing up was to be an Olympian, so I guess I’m on the right track!