Compex Athlete

Matthew Healy and Compex partnership started in 2019.

With a background in rugby including having spent some time at the Sharks Academy in KwaZulu-Natal, “Matty” made the switch to trail running making his first appearance on the elite trail running scene in early 2019. Priding himself on his ability to be extremely focused and disciplined has seen him have somewhat of a meteoric rise in the sport with a number of big achievements under his belt already.

Brief career highlights:

• 2022 Mozart 100 by UTMB® - 10th Overall (Time 10:55:20)
• 2021 13 Peaks Challenge FKT - 2nd Overall (Time 14:11:58)
• 2021 Addo Elephant Trail Run 100 Miler (162kms) Africa’s wildest ultra - 1st Overall (South African Course Record) Valley of Tears segment - overall record
• 2020 13 Peaks Challenge FKT - 2nd Overall (2nd fastest time behind Ryan Sandes 13:41:10 )
• 2020 Addo Elephant Trail Run 76km - 1st Overall
• 2020 Support a Saffa Charity Run (114km Lockdown Garden Ultra) #RunSaffaRun raised R33,000
• 2019 Mac Mac Ultra 50miler/80km - 1st Overall (New Course Record)
• 2019 Bastille Day Trail Run 50km - 1st Overall
• 2019 Chokka Run 62km - 2nd Overall
• 2019 Maxi Race South Africa 68km - 2nd Overall

"Recovery done right"

Instagram: @mattyhealy01

Facebook: Mathew Healy Ultra

Website

We met up with Compex athlete, Tom Evans, a rising star in the ultrarunning world to find out how he is getting on and how Compex is helping to take him to a new level.

Compex: Tom, please tell us a little bit about yourself and what you're currently in training for.

Tom: Sure, so I've been running for the last year professionally, both ultrarunning and trail running. Currently I'm in training for the trail running World Championships representing Team GB (Tom would finish a fantastic 3rd place at the 2018 edition). 

Compex: That sounds great and best of luck for it - how did you get into the world of ultra/trail running?

Tom: I had a couple of friends who did Marathon Des Sables in 2016 and I bet them that I could finish in a higher position than they did. One thing led to another and I ended up finishing 3rd! Subsequently I've raced all over the world, most recently in Costa Rica. After that, I decided to turn full time to try and put British ultrarunning back on the map.

Tom Evans using his Compex device to fight off lactic acid.

Compex: Wow, that's quite a story and it sounds like your improving with each race. How does your Compex device help you reach a new level, and when do you use it?

Tom: After a hard day's running, the build up of lactic acid stays in the muscles. I use Compex to flush my muscles with fresh blood and oxygen that then allows me to recover faster, so that I can train harder (using the Training Recovery programme). I use Compex a lot when I'm travelling, I can use it on flights so I can keep training at my limits in order to improve and be the best athlete that I can be. 

Compex: Great, thanks for chatting to us Tom, and best of luck with the training and racing!

Compex: Hey Lucy, great to sit down with you - please could you tell our audience your name and where you're from?

Hi, my name is Lucy Majury and I'm from Farnborough in the UK - not far from London.

Compex: And what sport do you perform in and how did you get into it? Biggest achievements so far?

I have competed in Powerlifting and got 4 World Records I am also a Competitive CrossFit athlete. My biggest achievement is competing at CrossFit Europe Regionals 3 x. Making it once is amazing but to be able to do it multiple times was even better.

Compex: Wow, those are some pretty impressive achievements. How have you found Compex Muscle Stim helps you to find a competitive edge?

Compex helps me have a competitive edge as it speeds up and improves my training recovery. When you train multiple times a day or with high volume this is key.

Compex: Which programme/s do you use on your Compex device?

I really like using the training recovery and relaxing programmes - they are for sure my favorite. I also sometimes use the strength cycles as an addition to my training. I also use Compex knee wraps.

Compex: Amazing, it sounds like your getting great use out of it. We've heard whispers that you've launched a new company? Tell us a bit about that project.

Alongside competing in CrossFit I have my own nutrition, PT and clothing businesses. My partner (Mike) and I started the clothing brand, VITA, most recently and it is a project we are both so proud of. We sell clothes which can be worn to workout in and also outside of the gym. The clothes have all been designed by athletes who know exactly what is needed from workout clothing. Our biggest aim was to produce affordable, good quality clothes.

You can find our clothing at Vita Active.
You can also use code COMPEX10 for 10% discount.

Compex: That's incredible, you must be very busy. I'm sure our audience will be really interested to check out your website to gear up for their training sessions. Thanks so much for sitting down with us Lucy and best of luck in all your pursuits!

Compex: Hi Anouk! Nice to meet you, please could you tell us a little bit about you and your sport?

Anouk: Hi, my name is Anouk Garnier, I’m an Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) athlete. I’m Vice World Champion in OCR and I was also a member of the Spartan Race European champion team. I’ve also been a Compex France Athlete since 2018. 

Compex: Wow, that’s an impressive CV. How did you get into OCR?

Anouk: I like to push myself, test my limits and press them back at every competition. This improvement is important in my everyday life, it helps me to grow and to be better. One of my favourite feelings is passing a finish line, feeling that I gave everything – that's why I'm addicted to the obstacle races.

Compex: How does Compex Muscle Stim help you to find a competitive edge? Which programme/s do you use?

Anouk: I am now using the Compex SP8 Wod Edition, but I knew about Compex years ago. At first I knew Compex only through its aesthetic programs and I didn’t know that it could also be used for recovery.
I tried the recovery program for the first time when I went to the OCR World Championships and felt a real difference in my recovery.
I now use a lot of post-workout recovery, post-competition recovery and relaxing massage programs.
Recently, I started physical fitness programs, including resistance programnes on the legs.

Compex: Thanks Anouk! Great to hear from you.

Tony Voisin: Athlete OCR

Fitness instructor and coach
2017 Vice World Champion OCR

Compex: Hi Tony, it's a pleasure to meet with you - please could you tell us a little bit about yourself? How you got into the sport and your relationship with Compex?

Tony Voisin: Okay, so I practice the obstacle course. Sport for me is a lifestyle and I think that today it is the best medicine to guard against the bad things in the world. I've been affiliated to the Compex France team since 2018.

Compex: Great, and which Compex device do you use? How did you hear about Compex and what programmes do you use?

Tony: Currently I am using the Compex SP8 Wod Edition. I discovered Compex in 2016, when I visited the Compex booth at the Body Fitness Show. It was explained to me that this one device could help me recover from competition, and also to participate in my physical preparation and training.
I started to learn a little more and I acquired a Compex device. I first started using the recovery program, and I immediately felt the effects. I also used the program Heavy Legs because I have a problem with blood circulation. Then I integrated the capillarisation and I felt real benefits before my races.

Compex: When and how did you really start integrating Compex into your physical training?

Tony: I started to integrate Compex in my physical training in 2018, in view of the world championships. I first did a 5 week cycle on strength, twice a week, in addition to strength training in bodybuilding and a session in dynamics, that is to say box jumps or heels-buttocks.
Then, I followed up with a cycle of 5 weeks in resistance. I took a week of recovery between the two cycles to recover.

Compex: What did you get out of it?

Tony: I feel that in the ribs, which was my weak point, I have more power and I can better resist lactates. I really progressed, my legs are much lighter too!

Compex: The final word?

Tony: I will end with a phrase that is a bit my leitmotif: Get up with determination to lie down with satisfaction.

Compex: Merci, Tony!

Compex: Hi Chantel! Great to meet up with you - please let our audience know a little bit about you and how you into your sport?

Chantel: Hi there! I was born in Pretoria and met my husband while I was still studying at Wikts Technikon and got married when I was 21. After falling pregnant, I realized I would have to do something active, so I joined the local gym and started aqua aerobics. That is where my journey started, resulting in me becoming a personal trainer, owning my own fitness company and partaking in trail running.

Compex: That's so interesting - please tell us a bit more about your entry into Trail Running?

Chantel: So my path to becoming a competitive athlete was rather different.

Until I fell pregnant, I was a full time fine artist. When my son was born we realised that my fine arts was not going to help pay the bills, resulting in a move over to the fitness industry.

My first trail race was ?the five-day, 250km Cape Odyssey run in 2007. My sister and brother-in-law inspired my entry for this race they participated in the Cape Epic mountain bike race earlier that year. There was such a vibe at the event - I just had to be part of something like that.

Compex: A five day race on your debut, geez - well done! How has Compex Muscle Stim helped you to find a competitive edge?

Chantel: I was first introduced to the Compex by the EPT recovery team when going for a Sports massage. I had also been visiting my Physio regularly for rehab on my hamstring and she was using a Compex device to treat me.

One of the owners from EPT lent me a unit leading up to the Africa X trail race. I used it daily and started finding that the heavy, inflamed sensation that I had been experiencing in my hamstring was subsiding. After that success with the device, I decided to invest in having my own and have since made use of my Compex probably 4/5 times weekly. I tend to alternate between the strength and 'reduce muscle soreness' settings, with the latter helping to flush out any lactic acid build up after strenuous training sessions. 

Compex: We're glad to hear that you've had such success with your device, thanks so much for chatting to us!

Chantel: No problem guys, thank you!

Compex: Hi Frederik, great to see you and hope you're well! Please give us an insight to you?

Frederik: Hi guys, certainly so I'm from Belgium, living in Menen close to the border with France (Lille) and I'm affiliated to Compex Benelux team.

Compex: Thanks Frederik, and how did you get into your sport?

Frederik: I'm a Triathlete. I started when I was 17 (I'm now 40 in 2019) and I turned pro when I was 23, having previously been a competition swimmer. My goal as an athlete is to continue until 2020 and win as many Ironman as possible. I still have 3 years to prove my value. For me, the important thing is to believe in yourself, and that's what I do all the time.

Compex: That's great, you've certainly been a committed Triathlete for a long time! How does Compex Muscle Stim help you to find a competitive edge?

Frederik: Compex helps me in every concept to improve. To recover faster and better so that I can train harder to get stronger.

Compex: Good to hear! Which programme/s do you use?

Frederik: I use it for Recovery after training and competition which really helps me a lot. I also use it before some training sessions to prepare muscle activity, which is very helpful!

Compex: Do you use other Compex products? 

Frederik: I'm really interested in using Compex Tape more often.

Compex: Awesome, well we wish all the best for the season Frederik, we're sure you'll smash it!

Frederik: Thanks a lot guys!

Compex: Hey Will! Great to see you as always, let the Compex audience know a bit about you. What's your background?

Will: Hey guys, so I am based in Cheltenham but own a gym in Worcester. I train at CrossFit Cheltenham and Bullpen Fitness. I've been competing in CrossFit for about 6/7 years now and became affiliated with the Compex UK team, previously I played national level rugby. 

Compex: Thanks! Tell us more about your sporting career and your highlights...

Will: I compete in CrossFit. I suppose a few highlights are: finishing twice top 10 in the European Regionals, winning a regional workout, winning an open workout (in my region) and winning various high level competitions throughout Europe.

Compex: That's a great level to have reached and we've loved being a part of your journey. How does Compex Muscle Stim help you to find a competitive edge?

Will: For me, every time I squat I use my Compex SP8.0 WOD Edition afterwards. Ideally I'll use it within 3 hours just to get some blood flow through my legs and speed up the recovery process. I have had tendon problems in my knees in the past because of tight quads so the Compex definitely helps to relieve this tightness.

Compex: Which programme/s do you use?

Will: Mainly training or competition recovery after workouts and events.

Compex: (If applicable) do you use other Compex products?   

Will: Knee sleeves to provide support when I'm lifting - I can recommend those for sure!

Compex: Tell us about your team training, if you can send a logo too and if you want any offers putting out.

Will: So Team Training is an online programming company. We initially started writing CrossFit/functional fitness style programmes, but are now beginning to expand. We initially offered strength, conditioning and non bias programmes designed to cater for different athletes. These are priced at £10 per month. We now offer a 3-per-week program, a pure strength programme and a 16 week pull up programe=me. The strength and the pull programs can be purchased in blocks so you will start at the beginning of the cycle. All of our other programmes allow people to simply jump straight in. The strength and pull blocks are priced at £30.

Check our website for more details: www.teamtrainingprogramming.co.uk

Compex: Sounds great and really enterprising Will. Best of luck with it and any upcoming events and we hope to see you again soon!

Compex: Hey Nicole, it's great to see you! Please could you tell the Compex audience a bit about yourself? What's your background?

Nicole: I was born in KwaZulu-Natal and my love for sport started from a young age. I have been very active all my life and always loved new challenges and competing. I enjoy seeing what my body is capable of doing when I put my mind to something and give it my 100% focus. I have an Honors Degree in Biokinetics. I am a Wife, mom of 2 and a trainer at the Constantia Virgin Active in Cape Town.

Compex: That's great - tell us how you got into sport?

Nicole: I have been involved in a number of sporting codes. I was a gymnast from the age of 4 till about 13. This is where my love for sport and movement of the human body started. This lay a phenomenal foundation for all I have done since then. At school I was a SA schools Hockey player. In varsity I started competing in IFBB, Fitness Division and went to Worlds and the Amateur Olympia. I decided to try powerlifting and I got a South African record in powerlifting and last year I competed at the Reebok Crossfit Games in Madison which really was a phenomenal experience!

Compex: Wow, it sounds like an amazing experience! You are obviously an amazing athlete. How did you come across Compex and how does it benefit you?

Nicole: Compex really is the absolute secret to my recovery... I borrowed one from a friend when I was training for the CrossFit Regional's last year and I honestly couldn’t believe the benefit I got from it!

Compex: Good to hear! Which programme/s do you use?

Nicole: Depending on how my body is feeling, I generally make use of the recovery and strength programmes.

Compex: Any last words you would like the audience to know?

Nicole: I am always looking for ways to help me get the most out of my training and maximise my recovery as my time is very limited. Like many people out there, I believe the only way to achieve your goals is through hard work and dedication! I was very sceptical when I came across the Compex and had my doubts, but the results have been overwhelming!
I recover faster, I am able to train harder and more often, and I have never felt better. It's an absolute must have for anyone wanting to improve their overall health and physical well-being as well as those wanting to improve their performance. I find it very easy to use and extremely convenient as I can put it on when it suits me.

Compex: That's awesome. Thanks so much, Nicole! We wish you everything of the best and hope to chat again soon.

Nicole: Pleasure! Thanks guys.

Photo Credit: Daniel Stevenson (@daniels_imagerie)

Compex: Hi Florian, great to meet you! Please tell us a little bit about yourself.

Florian: Hi Compex! Sure, I belong to the Compex Austria team, although I live in Germany. I come from the "flat land" around Hanover and went to study in Göttingen on the south Lower Saxony Region. There, I have worked as a teacher for English, Spanish and Sport for almost 10 years.

Compex: Great to know! What sport do you do and how did you get into it?

Florian: I'm a trail runner, where I'm originally from the classic track and field. Currently , I am only on trails and prefer to run the distances between 30 and 60 km, where I have already started several times at world championships.

Compex: Which Compex program/s do you use? 

Florian: I use the recovery and strengthening programs of Compex SP 8.0, mostly for the trunk and leg muscles. Due to the large selection of programs, I change the ones I do very frequently.

Compex: Awesome, thanks so much for sitting down with us Florian, viel glück!

Florian: Danke!