Ahead of the hybrid fitness competition, ATHX Liverpool, on 3–4 October, England midfielder and CELSIUS ambassador Georgia Stanway shares her top tips for anyone preparing to test themselves, whether they are seasoned competitors or lining up for the very first time.
Georgia’s advice comes as CELSIUS continues its role as the Official Energy Drink Partner of the ATHX Games. She believes many of the principles she uses to prepare for competition at the highest level can be used by everyday athletes taking on their own challenges:
- Don't leave it too late. You can't cram weeks of training into a few days. Build up gradually, trust the work you've put in, and arrive ready!
- Train for the challenge, not your comfort zone. It's easy to stick to what you're good at – competition finds what you haven't practised very quickly. With ATHX, you're switching movements while you're already tired, so know what's coming. The more familiar it feels the more confidence you'll have.
- Pace yourself. Adrenaline will try to make you go too hard, too fast. Know your pace and ignore everyone else's – flying past early doesn't win you anything. Stick to your plan and save enough to finish strong.
- Don't sleep on the mental side. Stay in the moment, break it down, and focus on what's next. When it gets tough, remember why you're there and keep moving – you've trained for this.
- Keep it familiar. Nothing new on the day – no new kit, no new food, no last-minute changes. Use training to find what works, then stick with it.
“You don’t have to be a professional athlete to set yourself a goal,” said Stanway. “That’s one of the things I love about events like ATHX – everyone taking part has their own reason for being there and their own version of success. While there are of course differences between preparing for professional football and taking on a fitness competition, a lot of the fundamentals are the same. Preparation, consistency, knowing what works for you, and being able to keep going when things get tough all make a difference.”
Through the partnership, which launched at ATHX Birmingham in August, CELSIUS brings its LIVE.FIT.GO. platform to competitions through branded experiences and product sampling.
Carlotta Cattelani, Head of Marketing – UK&I, Celsius, said: “Georgia knows what it means to prepare, compete, and perform under pressure at the highest level, but the principles behind that, from setting a goal to putting in the work, are relevant to anyone taking on any challenge. Our partnership with ATHX celebrates those everyday achievements and the community of people getting out there, giving it a go, and making each moment count.”
ATHX, which was founded in the UK in 2023, has seen competitor numbers triple over the past three years and expects more than 40,000 participants across its events in 2026. ATHX Liverpool takes place at Exhibition Centre Liverpool on 3–4 October, with further events planned in London, Glasgow, Dublin, Birmingham and Liverpool in 2027.