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Stephen Adjaidoo / Q&A

22nd February 2018

22nd February 2018

By Shivraj Bassi

Stephen is a qualified running coach and founder of LDN Brunch Club, a community of runners who train collectively in a supportive environment. Each run finishes with brunch somewhere in London, providing a perfect way to refuel, rehydrate and build friendships. Stephen has completed marathons across the world including New York, London, Paris, Berlin, Tokyo, and Chicago as well as numerous half marathons. We sat down with him to find out how he got started and what makes him tick.

"I’ve always been into sport but my interest in running started when I loved to London 5 years ago. I had very little knowledge of the city and running helped me get familiar with my new home. Before long, I was running regularly with other people and had made a great group of friends. That led me to start LDN Brunch Club, nearly 4 years ago now. I also became a qualified running coach so I could provide advice that wasn’t just based on my own experience. I’ve now run marathons in London, Paris, Tokyo, Athens, Copenhagen, Berlin, Chicago, and most recently New York. Personally, I run to clear my mind but it also helps me creatively. I’m a firm believer that a healthy body is a huge contributor to a healthy mind." - Stephen

Favourite Innermost products, and why?

The Fit Protein. Great for after a long run to rehydrate with the pink Himalayan sea salt and magnesium, and great for after a workout. I tend to just mix with almond milk or blend with some banana and a little peanut butter. The Energy Booster. Most possibly the best pre-workout on the market. Helps me push longer, harder and make the most of my workout. Plus 5g of BCCAs to prevent muscle breakdown and encourage fat burn.

What's your hustle?

Digital Project Manager by day. LDN Brunch Club Founder and Captain in my spare time. Also, 9 x Marathoner, Triathlete and Running Coach.

What does #liveinnermost mean to you?

Balancing hectic city life and  a healthy lifestyle. Being at your best when working hard, training hard but giving yourself plenty of rest and downtime too.

What do you do to maintain a healthy lifestyle?

Run, lift, yoga, cycle, swim, climb...

Usual breakfast?

In the week, porridge or peanut butter on toast. At the weekend, usually avo on toast and/or something involving halloumi and eggs.

Best vacation ever?

Going to South Africa, running 10K at night around Jo’burg and then going on safari!

Current fitness goal?

Recovering from injury at the moment but hoping to be taking part in this year's London Marathon.

What's on your bucket list?

Boston Marathon (last major marathon to complete), Two Oceans Marathon (one of the most beautiful marathons to run) and maybe some races further afield (Asia, Africa, Australia).

Biggest vice?

Probably pizza or a good burger!

Your last workout?

30-min cycle on the watt bike followed by deadlifts, squats and good foam roll and a nice long stretch.

What's the favourite thing about the city you live in?

The diversity. I’ve met people form all walks of life here, it really is a melting pot. I also love that there is so much to do and see, literally every single day.

Most physically challenging thing you've done?

Man Vs Mountain was pretty tough. A 20 mile round trip going up to the summit of Snowdon. It rained pretty much from start to finish and I’d broken my toe about 8 weeks before so the majority of the run was pretty uncomfortable!

Where's your happy place?

Despite being a city boy, I really like being by the sea. I lived in Sydney for a few years and took every opportunity to spend time on the beach but also love Barcelona for the same reason. I loved Lake Como when I visited recently.

Book on your bedside table?

Endure: Mind, Body and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance by Alex Hutchinson.

Where do you see yourself in three years?

Probably living somewhere a little quieter, maybe Amsterdam.

What or who motivates you?

“Normal” people doing amazing things. I’ve been fortunate enough to be around a lot of people who have pushed themselves to achieve things that many other people think are impossible. Running incredible distances/races, performing to the limits of their ability alongside working regular full-time jobs.

Favourite inspirational quote/words?

Nothing worth having comes easy.

To see more from Stephen, head to his Instagram page (@stephenadjaidoo). And click here to find out how you can get involved with LDN Brunch Club (@LDNBrunchClub).

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Whey Protein 101: Everything You Need to Know
If you’re at all interested in health, fitness or nutrition, you’ve probably heard about whey protein. It’s one of the most commonly used sources of protein for supplements and it can offer a wide range of benefits to users.  But let’s hit the brakes a second – what exactly is whey protein? And what are these supposed benefits? Let’s break it down.  What is whey protein? Whey protein is a high-quality protein source which comes from whey (no prizes for guessing that) – otherwise known as the watery stuff which separates from the curds when making cheese. Once separated, the whey is processed to remove lactose and other components we don’t need, leaving behind a concentrated whey protein which is then dried into a powder form. Sounds a bit strange, granted, but it’s a real powerhouse. Whey protein is a complete protein, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids (the ones our bodies can’t make on their own). It’s also quickly absorbed by the body, making it a great choice for a post-workout refuel. Benefits of whey protein With comparisons out the way, what are the benefits of adding whey protein into your workout plan? 1. High nutritional value Whey protein is widely considered the best form of protein supplement because of its superior nutritional profile. Not just a complete protein, whey typically contains more protein per serving and is absorbed by your gut much faster than other types of protein. In short, you get more of the good stuff and you get it faster, too. Win-win. 2. Supports muscle growth and repair Whey protein’s high protein content and broad suite of amino acids makes it perfect for both muscle repair and those looking for gains. Whey contains a high concentration of the BCAA leucine, which is the primary amino acid involved in muscle growth. This makes it a great accompaniment to your workout routine. Regular intake of whey protein has also been shown to help reduce inflammation throughout the body, which is a huge plus for recovery and general wellbeing. 3. Supports weight management and satiety Whey isn’t just a great supplement for muscle growth, it can also be hugely beneficial for those trying to manage their weight. Whey protein has been shown to significantly reduce feelings of hunger, which can make it much easier to stay on track with a healthy diet. For example, Innermost’s The Strong Protein contains just 147 calories for a 40g serving, making it an effective, delicious and convenient solution to keep on deck.  4. Convenient and versatile Speaking of convenience, it doesn’t really get more convenient than whey protein. You can throw together a delicious, nutritious shake in seconds whether you’ve got your favourite milk on hand or just water. Or, if you’re feeling creative, head to the kitchen and bake with it (protein pancakes – yum), or mix it into oats, yoghurts and smoothies for some serious treats that taste and feel good. Whether you’ve got time to cook up a storm or you’ve only got 30 seconds before you need to be out the door, whey protein makes nutrition easy. How can whey protein support your fitness goals?  Whey protein is a great supplement for a range of fitness goals. Let’s take a look at how. If you’re trying to build muscle… Whey alone won’t do the job – you’ve gotta put the work in. When you’re done sweating up a storm, take your whey right after your workout (as soon as possible but definitely within 60 minutes for maximum impact).  Whey helps to repair muscles which are damaged during exercise as well as promoting growth to make you stronger for next time. You know what they say, no pain, no gain… If you want to push your workouts even further with whey on hand to repair the damage, try pairing your protein shake with The Power Booster for an extra hit of power, strength and speed. If you’re focused on fat loss… Swap out the snacks for a whey protein shake to cut down on calories and keep you fuller for longer between meals. The high protein content of whey can also help to preserve muscle mass if you’re in a calorie deficit, which is another big plus.  If you’re training for performance or endurance… When you’re looking to perform at a high level or for an extended period of time, repetition is a key part of the process. However, with repetition comes aches, pains and inevitable recovery time. Whey protein is a great recovery aid which can help to reduce muscle soreness and support your immune system while your body is undergoing physical stress. Work whey into your diet and get back on the grind in no time. How does whey compare to other proteins? When you’re shopping around for the best protein, there are a lot of factors to consider. Let’s take a quick look at how whey protein stacks up against the competition. Whey vs casein protein Both whey and casein are derived from milk, with casein making up around 80% of the total protein content of milk. The question here is: why isn’t casein seen as much on the shelves?  There are a few reasons, one of the main ones being casein is absorbed by the body at a much slower rate. The amino acids in whey protein stay in your bloodstream for around 90 minutes until they’re absorbed, whereas casein amino acids can stay in your system for as long as five hours. If you’re looking for a quick hit, especially after a workout, whey is the way to go.  The branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) profile of whey is also superior to casein, meaning it can be more effective at building muscle.  Whey vs soy protein Soy offers a good alternative option for many as it’s a plant-based source of protein which also contains all nine essential amino acids. While studies have shown little difference in muscle growth and strength development between soy and whey protein, there are other downsides to soy protein which whey doesn’t have. Soy protein contains considerably less leucine and lysine than whey (the amino acids responsible for muscle growth and repair, blood sugar regulation and the production of hormones and energy), which can be a big turn off for many.  As such, whey is widely considered a higher-quality protein source than soy, but soy protein typically comes with a smaller price tag, making it an appealing choice for many. Whey vs pea & rice protein Two other popular sources of protein are pea and rice protein. These are often used together, like in The Fit Protein or The Health Protein, to offer a balanced and well-rounded vegan protein option. Both rice and pea protein contain all nine essential amino acids, albeit in a slightly lower density than whey. To put it plainly, whey retains its crown as the most complete protein source, but for those who can’t or don’t want to have whey, pea and rice protein offer a fantastic option.   It’s the whey to go When it comes to protein supplements, whey is widely considered to be the most complete form you can get your hands on – and for good reason.  With a high concentration of protein per serving, broad range of amino acids and huge variety of ways to enjoy it, whey is an easy way to support your fitness goals, whatever they are. If you can’t have whey, or maybe just don’t want to, check out our range of vegan supplements for some plant-based alternatives.   We’ve shown you the whey (sorry), now go forth and conquer.  References Schoenfeld, B., Aragon, A. (2018) How much protein can the body use in a single meal for muscle-building? Implications for daily protein distribution. Int Soc Sports Nutr. Click here. Zhou, L., Xu, J., Qin, L. (2015) Effect of whey supplementation on circulating C-reactive protein: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Nutrients. 7(2). Click here. King, N., Slater, G. (2015) The effect of a whey protein supplement dose on satiety and food intake in resistance training athletes. Appetite. Click here. Schoenfeld, B., Aragon, A. (2007) Bovine milk in human nutrition – a review.  Lipids Health Dis. Click here. Lynch, H., Buman, M. (2020) No Significant Differences in Muscle Growth and Strength Development When Consuming Soy and Whey Protein Supplements Matched for Leucine Following a 12 Week Resistance Training Program in Men and Women: A Randomized Trial. Int J Environ Res Public Health. Click here. Read more
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