Written by Montana Jackson, MSc in Sports Medicine
My name is Montana, I am a doctor and a track and field athlete – specifically training for the 400m hurdles and triple jump. I am currently doing a full time MSc in Sports Medicine, Exercise and Health and working shifts in the hospital when I can. I have been doing athletics for as long as I can remember and was influenced by my mum who was a county champion sprinter when she was younger. I was initially a long jumper, but decided to try triple jump when I was 15, and ended up winning the English Schools Championships in my first year of competing which was amazing. After that I unfortunately got injured which was a long rehabilitation process and a huge setback, but I always knew that I wanted to go back to athletics, even though I have dabbled in other sports (netball, basketball and rowing) over the years.
I think athletics is the purest of all the sports and is great because running and jumping can be done anywhere with minimal equipment required (useful during a global pandemic). I love 400m hurdles because it is one of the hardest events, so I always feel like I’ve pushed myself, and triple jump is great because it requires so much strength, which gives me a lot to work towards in the gym.
Most importantly, I just love being active, getting outside and doing something I enjoy, which is great for my physical and mental health!