In our WISE WORDS interview series, we pose a string of questions to a host of celebrities from a variety of different fields - and who could be more qualified to share their important life lessons than two-time Olympic gold medalist Nicola Adams?
We sat down with Nicola to talk about the advice that keeps her going, how her Northern roots keep her grounded and what’s left on her to-do list (spoiler alert: it involves Mexican food and a big cocktail).
What do you do to switch off from the world? I normally tend to play on my PlayStation, or chill out with my friends, either at the movies or a bit of clubbing.
How do you deal with negativity? I deal with it by just not thinking about it, I’m not really the sort of person who reads comments on social media. You have to remember to take everything with a pinch of salt, because that’s just one person’s opinion.
When and where are your happiest? I’m happiest when I’m at home with my family.
What’s been the best advice that you’ve ever been given? The best advice, I guess, is to never doubt yourself and always strive to fulfill your dreams, no matter how many people say that you can’t do it. If you tell me I can’t, I’ll tell you I will.
What’s the hardest lesson you’ve had to learn? That’s a good one… the hardest lesson that I’ve had to learn is that you can’t win at everything.
What would you tell your 13-year-old self? If I could tell my 13-year-old self anything, I’d say stay confident, you’re doing really well and you’re going to be a great person who achieves great things when you get older - just keep it up.
What three things are left on your to-do list? To go on holiday, to have some Mexican food and drink some piña coladas.
What do you think happens when we die? I’d hope that when I die, I’ll go to somewhere that’s really nice and where I can still continue to do boxing. And because it would be my heaven, I’d always win.
When do you get a feeling that we’re in the presence of something bigger than ourselves? I guess when I win gold in tournaments. It’s a surreal feeling, and I guess that would be my kind of feeling.
What do you try to bring to your relationships? I try to bring fun, laughter and love.
What keeps you grounded? My family and friends keep me grounded - and I definitely think being a Northerner has kept me grounded!
What was the last act of kindess or good deed that you received? It was actually from the nation - the whole nation supporting me through the Olympic games in Rio. Thank you!
Open Image Modal
Mike Egerton/PA Wire
Fireworks go off over the Rio Olympic Games 2016 Closing Ceremony at the Maracana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Open Image Modal
Mike Egerton/PA Wire
Open Image Modal
Mike Egerton/PA Wire
Advertisement
Open Image Modal
Gregory Bull/AP
People look on as the Olympic cauldron flame is extinguished.
Open Image Modal
Gregory Bull/AP
Light from a street lamp reflects off the Olympic cauldron after the flame was extinguished.
Open Image Modal
Chris Carlson/AP
Artists perform during the closing ceremony.
Advertisement
Open Image Modal
Chris Carlson/AP
Open Image Modal
Matt Dunham/AP
Artists perform during the closing ceremony.
Open Image Modal
Matt Dunham/AP
Advertisement
Open Image Modal
David Goldman/AP
United States' Armando Polk wears a dancer's hat as she dances during the closing ceremony.
Open Image Modal
Matt Dunham/AP
Athletes pose for photos.
Open Image Modal
Matt Dunham/AP
Nicola White, second left, Sam Quek, center, and Shona McCallin pose for photos at the closing ceremony.
Advertisement
Open Image Modal
David Goldman/AP
Open Image Modal
David Goldman/AP
Britain's Nick Thompson and Giles Scott, right, joke with dancers during the closing ceremony.
Open Image Modal
Matt Dunham/AP
Dagmar Wozniak of the United States, right, dances with other athletes.
Advertisement
Open Image Modal
Matt Dunham/AP
An artist meets with athletes.
Open Image Modal
Matt Dunham/AP
United States' Morghan King poses for picture.
Open Image Modal
David Goldman/AP
Athletes from France and dancers watch the fireworks.
Advertisement
Open Image Modal
Matt Dunham/AP
Athletes pose for picture with performers.
Open Image Modal
Matt Dunham/AP
Kenya's gold medal winner Eliud Kipchoge is flanked by Ethiopia's silver medal winner Feyisa Lilesa and United States' bronze medal winner Galen Rupp.
Open Image Modal
Mark Humphrey/AP
Participants in rainwear sit through the closing ceremony.
Advertisement
Open Image Modal
Gregory Bull/AP
A man wears plastic to keep the rain off.
Open Image Modal
Mike Egerton/PA Wire
Fireworks go off over the Rio Olympic Games 2016 Closing Ceremony.
Open Image Modal
Natacha Pisarenko/AP
Advertisement
Open Image Modal
Natacha Pisarenko/AP
Samba dancers perform.
Open Image Modal
Vincent Thian/AP
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe waves during the closing ceremony.
Open Image Modal
Chris Carlson/AP
Dancers perform.
Advertisement
Open Image Modal
Charlie Riedel/AP
The Japanese delegation stands during the closing ceremony.
Open Image Modal
Chris Carlson/AP
The flag of Japan is projected on the ground.
Open Image Modal
Mike Egerton/PA Wire
Great Britain Flag Bearer Kate Richardson-Walsh enjoys the closing ceremony.
Advertisement
Open Image Modal
Matt Dunham/AP
Athletes from Britain arrive.
Open Image Modal
David Goldman/AP
British athletes wear glooming shoes.
Open Image Modal
Matt Dunham/AP
Ekaterini Stefanidi carries the flag of Greece.
Advertisement
Open Image Modal
David Goldman/AP
Athletes from China march in during the closing ceremony.
Open Image Modal
Matt Dunham/AP
Lenine performs during the closing ceremony.
Open Image Modal
Charlie Riedel/AP
Athletes from India.
Advertisement
Open Image Modal
Martin Rickett/PA Wire
Izabel Goulart and Renato Sorriso during the Rio Olympic Games Closing Ceremony.
Open Image Modal
Chris Carlson/AP
Mariene de Castro sings.
Open Image Modal
Matt Dunham/AP
An artist performs.
Advertisement
Open Image Modal
Charlie Riedel/AP
Plumed performers.
Open Image Modal
Charlie Riedel/AP
Athletes from Canada parade into the closing ceremony.