UNLEASH YOUR FIRE

GLADIATORS star Montell Douglas impressed us with her ballroom moves on Strictly Come Dancing and believes that embracing new experiences is key to building confidence and strength.

- BY CAMILLA FOSTER

The former Olympian, 39, said: "I'm the queen of reinvention, I love to try new things.

"For me, I feel strong when I've just gone and tried something new for the first time.

"I think it gives you that vitality of life and helps keep my mind fresh."

The athlete competed in the 100m at Beijing 2008 as well as being part of the bobsleigh team at Beijing 2022.

That made her the first British woman to compete in different sports at both the Olympic summer and winter games.

But now Douglas, now known as Fire on BBC One's Gladiators, said she finds her greatest strength in simple, everyday moments.

She added: "Strength to me is definitely a feeling opposed to me doing something.

"I feel at my strongest when I am doing what I love and am able to function really competently in my daily life."

Montell Douglas, who was partnered with professional dancer Johannes Radebe on Strictly, added: "I am at my strongest when I feel like my day-to-day lifestyle is seamless, like when I am sleeping better and I'm eating better.

Douglas has now joined forces with Holland & Barrett for a new campaign encouraging lifelong strength and is using her platform to push back against gender stereotypes tied to strength and training.