Get to know…Jessamy Hibberd
My thanks for the opener written by Michael Miller
Jess Hibberd has been in Arena for less than a year but will be a familiar face to the Thursday night runners (at least those with head torches) and to anyone who does the Hove Parkrun. Like most new to running she is very much in the ascendant, and there is no better place for a runner to be!
Jess is the person you need to know if you really want to be happy, not only does she exude joy but she seems to have made a career out of it. Check out her TEDx talk or better still put your hand in your pocket and buy one of her many books on how to live a happier more fulfilling life. Everyone’s brilliant (although to be brutally honest the one about Solutions to Insomnia sent me straight to sleep).
Name: Jessamy Hibberd
1. When and why did you join Arena:
September last year. I live next door to the Miller’s (an unexpected bonus to our move out of London – the nicest neighbours you could ask for and my running inspo!). I’d got to a point where I was finding it hard to beat my park run time and they very kindly encouraged me to come along.
2. How long have you been running:
18 months – we moved here in summer 2016. My littlest was 6 months and I felt like it was time to get active again. We’re 10 minutes from Hove Park so I decided to try out park run. After initially telling myself I’d just do it for fun I got hooked on trying to beat my PB. It’s come as quite a surprise as I used to do my best to get out of running when I was at school!
3. Where did you grow up:
In a small village called North Waltham in Hampshire.
4. Which three words describe you best:
Passionate, smiley, direct.
5. Apart from running what else do you do with your free time:
I’ve got three kids (aged 6, 4 and 2), so that takes up most of my free time! Generally being outdoors makes me happy – walks on the beach (especially when it involves a stop at Morocco’s for ice cream), Devils Dyke, going on adventures, tennis. If it involves family and friends then even better.
6. What are you most looking forward to in 2018:
Not doing any building works. We’ve been in the midst of renovations and building works for the past six years. I’ll be very happy to just enjoy living in our house!
7. Tell me about something you would happily do again:
Back in Portugal for our annual family holiday, last year was our fourth year. The five of us, my mum and dad and my sister and all her family. A good ratio of adults to children, free babysitting and most importantly: everyone together in the sunshine by the sea.
8. What was your favourite subject at school:
I never really had a favourite subject at school. It wasn’t until I discovered psychology at university that I finally found a subject I loved.
9. Who is your sporting hero:
Roger Federer. Not only has he had an amazing career, he also has an amazing attitude. And he seems like a lovely partner and father.
10. Have you ever had or do you have a nickname:
When I was little J, JJ, and my personal favourite Jessamy Jam Pots (! thanks mum!).
11. Have you anything on your bucket list that you still want to do:
So many things! I loved travelling before having kids and it’s something I’m looking forward to getting back to once they are a little bit older. I’ve never been to South America and now my son is at the bilingual school, the Spanish speaking countries are next on the list! Also getting my park run time down to 22 minutes…
12. If you could only have one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be:
Curry (I know that’s cheating, but at least it narrows it down!).
13. What makes you laugh:
Practical jokes, my kids, silliness (generally at my poor husbands expense). I have quite a childish sense of humour!
14. Name 3 people (dead or alive) you would like to sit in a pub with:
I found this question trickiest to answer!
My granny when she was a similar age to me – she was an amazing women and a pioneer of birth control in Liverpool (a Roman Catholic City!) when she was a GP. I’d love to hear about her life, I was too young to know about these things when she was alive.
Brene Brown – a very inspiring lady doing brilliant work in psychology
Carl Jung – I think he’d be a pretty interesting character!
15. Tell us something we don’t know about you:
I did a Ted-x talk in Cyprus last year Click here Ted X Talk
16. What do you think about the most:
I’m fairly obsessive, so whatever I’m working on or looking forward to. Currently obsessing about a new project and answers to this!
17. Stretch your left arm out as far as you can, What can you touch:
Baby monitor – doing this while my littlest is asleep.
18. When are you at your happiest:
With my family, 5 in the bed first thing in the morning (when the kids are all being nice to each other!) we have a cup of tea before starting the day. Also you can’t beat the runners high!
19. What are the three most used apps on your phone:
Instagram, dark skies, google maps (I have no sense of direction!).
20. What has been you all-time favourite TV programme:
Not sure what my all-time favourite is, but recent faves are Stranger Things and The Good Place (also something that makes me laugh!).
Our biggest thanks to Jessima for her Q&A’s this week and we hope that you feel that you have now got to know Jessima a little better. Check back next Wednesday for another set of Q&A’s with our chosen club member.