Célia Karleskind is the free spirit of our ambassadors! Always on the ball, she first put on skis at the age of 4. This Chamonix native has since been collecting titles, first in cross-country skiing, then in triathlon, marathon, and trail running. She draws her boundless energy from her diet and her knowledge of micronutrition. Follow her to learn more!
ALGORIGIN: Tell us a little about your background!
Célia: I was born and raised in Chamonix, much to my delight! I studied skiing at the Chamonix middle school and then went to high school, still studying skiing, in Le Fayet.
A: Since when have you been playing sports? What sports did you play when you were little?
C: I've been doing sports since I was 4 or 5 years old. I started by winning the MINI VASA, a cross-country ski race, then I started gymnastics and then I came back to cross-country skiing.
A: How and when did you realize you had a talent for cross-country skiing? Why did you choose this discipline?
C: I chose this discipline because my two older brothers did it. So I preferred to stop gymnastics. But if my mother had put me on the piano, I would surely have played the piano! I don't know if I had talent, but in any case, I liked going to training, being outside in contact with nature and seeing my friends! We were vice-champions of the UNSS world team at school, behind the Russians, I think that must have made me want to continue!
A: What is your best memory from your career as a high-level athlete?
C: Without a doubt, my title as French double pursuit champion and the party we had afterward!
A: Why did you stop this sport?
C: Due to overtraining, I became exhausted and became less efficient. I couldn't stand not being in front anymore!
A: After experiencing it, do you have any advice for other athletes to avoid overtraining? Did it play a role in your choice of career?
C: To avoid overtraining, I recommend focusing on quality over quantity, and above all, listening to yourself because coaches don't live in our bodies and we are able to feel when the body and mind are becoming exhausted.
Yes, that played a role because following this episode, it was Denis Riché who took charge of me and directed me towards micronutrition. This fascinated me and guided me in this career choice.
A: What sports do you practice today?
C: I started climbing, running, ski touring, downhill skiing and yoga.
A: Tell us a little about the CCC (01/09/2017), you came 26th in your category!
C: A perfect RACE! I enjoyed myself throughout and I never regretted starting. I maintained a fairly slow cruising pace so as not to tire too quickly. My only goal was to finish. My best friend did the first part with me, which made the course more fun. I was very good on the hills, but I was more apprehensive on the descents because I had injured my ankle in May. In the end, I took them well! I managed this race well on all levels (nutrition, rest, hydration, etc.), I had a great time, I hesitate to do it again for fear that it would go less well! I was lucky because 1 month before some friends suggested a bodybuilding and plyo cycle which allowed me to finish "pretty fresh"!
A: Where do you get your motivation for your sporting challenges?
C: I don't know! Probably because I'm very demanding of myself and a bit of my ego, no doubt! If I don't set myself goals, I tend to let myself go too much!
A: How did your interest in micronutrition come about?
C: Thanks to Denis Riché who took care of me during my overtraining.
A: You're not just a great athlete. Tell us a little about your career as a nutritionist!
C: I obtained my BTS in Dietetics in 2009, during which I completed an internship at Efficium where I got on well with the director! Then for 4 years, I joined Phytolis, a distributor of micronutrition and phytotherapy products, as a medical representative and pharmacy trainer. And, since the end of 2016, I have been working as an independent nutritionist at Efficium. I work with athletes through Algorigin but also at Run & Sens, a training center. I also write health articles for the Zanatura website.
A: What are the main reasons people come to see you as a nutritionist?
C: Because I'm super cool! Seriously, it's true that I connect well with patients and they feel that I'm not there to frustrate them or make them follow an unsustainable diet.
A: How do you assess a patient's needs? How does a session with you go?
C: During an initial 1.5-hour meeting, I take a history of the patient's overall health. I take measurements of body fat, dry mass, water, and water balance, and most importantly, I listen. This is essential not only to understand their goals, but also to understand their personality and find the right levers to support them in their change.
Then we see each other several times with more or less space between appointments, possibly after having done specific biological analyses.
A: What is your tip for helping your patients progress?
C: Positive manipulation! The word can be scary, but it shouldn't be. By playing on interests and motivations, patients have much less difficulty following their program.
A: What do you like best about your job?
C: Talking to people and helping them feel better about themselves.
A: Tell us a little about your upcoming projects!
C: Learn to be wise!
And maybe a UTMB (Ultra Trail du Mont-Blanc), a naturopathy and yoga training. Enjoy recreational sports and climb without fear of heights! And also, Mont Blanc via the Bionassais ridge, the Giant's Tooth, the Matterhorn.
A wedding in India! Not mine, but a beautiful celebration in prospect.
A surf trip to Indonesia!
A: Do you follow a specific nutritional plan yourself?
C: Yes, I eat according to my emotional hormones! I apply what I suggest to patients according to my needs. I cook a lot.
A: What are your best dietary tips/tricks for feeling good?
C: Stop drinking alcohol first!
A: Which Algorigin products have you already tried?
C: Spirulina
A: What are the benefits of algae in your opinion?
C: They contain only good things! All the vitamins and minerals except vitamin C, and all the amino acids. And, they have plenty of other resources. They are complete and perfect for supporting an athlete.
A: Have you seen any particular improvements in your daily life since taking algae?
C: I'll answer when I've tested more algae!
A: How do you prefer to eat seaweed?
C: In capsules with a glass of water. Simple and quick!
A: Do you have a seaweed recipe to share with us?
C: Mackerel with seaweed tartare spread on good gluten-free bread.
LEARN MORE ABOUT CÉLIA KARLESKIND:
– Her age: 30 years old (Born on 07.31.87)
– Family: 2 older brothers aged 37 and 35
– Sport: Cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, ski touring, climbing, running
– Profession: Micronutritionist dietitian
– You in 3 words: Spontaneous, caring, “nature painting”!
– Awards:
- 2004: French double pursuit champion in cross-country skiing
- Between 2004 and 2006: several European Cups in cross-country skiing, including two places in the top 20.
- 2009: French junior mountain running champion
- 2014: 1st of the 23 km trans'ju trail.
- 2014-2015: Triathlon
- 2016: 4th in the Trail des Fiz (70 km) and 25th in the Mont Blanc marathon
- 2016: A few team victories in short multisport raids (over 1-2 days) with friends
- 2017: Finisher of the CCC in 18h46
