Swimming legend Leisel Jones on her favourite Olympic memories and being the best in the world

Ok, time to make a confession: I’m a bit of an Olympic Games nerd. I’m English but moved over to Australia in 1999, just so I could be here for the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

This week kicks off the start of the Rio Olympics, so who better to share a smoothie with than swimming legend Leisel Jones.

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Not only an all round superstar (who taught me how to swim last year!), Leisel was just 15 when she competed at her first Olympics in 2000, and confesses she was going through all the awkwardness every teen goes through at that age.

“You’re going through puberty, it’s just gross and you’re in front of cameras,” she laughs. “But the best thing about that is I could do four Olympics, I could retire at 27 and still be young!”

Bagging nine Olympic medals in the process, Leisel admits it wasn’t standing on the winners podium that she counts as her best memories. “It’s actually the race, and I wish I remember more about it because unfortunately I don’t, and it goes by just like that,” she says.

She's signed on to be a commentator for this year's games, and the Olympics will always hold something special for the champion breaststroker. “I think realising you’re the best in the world at what you do – undeniably you are the best in the world,” she says.

While Liesel doesn't hit the pool as often as she used to, that doesn't mean her health has taken a backseat. All about balance when it comes to food, cheat meals aren't off limits and it's straight to the weights room when she hits the gym. "Cardio is boring, I can't stand it," she laughs.

The Anti-Inflammatory Smoothie is great for a post-workout pep up. Made with turmeric which has an active component called curcumin that acts as a powerful anti-inflammatory, there's also ginger in there to give your immunity a boost. My tip: use water instead of coconut water to keep the sugar levels down.

How to make The Anti-Inflammatory

Serves 4

1 red capsicum
Punnet coloured cherry toms
2 cm ginger – peeled/roughly chopped
4 cm turmeric – peeled/roughly chopped
3 cups kale
1 small baby beetroot
2 cups water
2 tbs cold pressed olive oil

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