Like we all know, specifically in France, this summer is a sporting one with the launching of Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The most important and sports event of the World, gathering on July 26th thousands of sportsmen and women, coaches, and supporters. So, we have thought, that communicate this sport spirit all along the summer, to the workers and holidaymakers will be such a pleasant idea.
Let’s start officially with this blog articles series: "Abyss Ingredients at the heart of sport" dedicated to sport practice of our athletes, but also our Abyss team… Stay tuned!
Portrait of the day: Enzo Chevance
Enzo Chevance is our Sales Representative in France and United Kingdom area at Abyss. Beyond his curiosity, dynamism and positivity at work since 2 years, discover him from another side: sport and specifically golf.
Enzo started golf when he was only 12 years old and is today more passionate than ever. After he tried tennis, football or basketball, in the end, it was golf that kept it going right up to the present day. |  |
Today, he handles at once, his sales representative career, his studies and his passion for golf and sport.
We are very proud to present a little part of his sport through this interview.
What values does sport pass on to you?
« First of all, I'd say hard work, training hard to play well and see yourself progress. There's also the whole training aspect that goes with regularity.
It's very important to respect your opponent, especially in individual sports in general. Especially as it's quite easy to cheat in golf, so it's essential to have respect for others, even in rivalry.
And if I had to mention one last point, I'd say it's to believe in young people, even if I'm one of them, there are younger players who have impressive levels. So, it's important to support them, because they're the ones who will take over from us. »
What role does sport play in your daily life and what does it bring you ?
« So, during the week, 1 session a day, and then it depends, I do weight training 3 times a week, and then it varies between 1 time swimming or 1 time running.
Then at the weekend it's different because that's dedicated to golf. On Saturdays it's 2 hours training and 5 hours on the course and on Sundays it's 1 hour training and 5 hours on the course.
So yes, I admit that it's quite time-consuming, but it's a way of life and above all it's an activity that I do with my friends, so it's really an integral part of my personal life too... »
How do you manage work, personal life and physical activity ?
« As far as my professional life is concerned, I'm lucky enough to have a fairly flexible schedule, and also and above all to have a gym right in the office, which really allows me to take a break at lunchtime to go and train. So yes, it does take time, but it's also essential for your mental health to have a break from work and problems...
After that, it's true that sport, and especially golf, is my priority, I put it first, I think it's a question of habit too, it's part of my way of life.
I think it's a question of habit too, it's part of my way of life. Especially because, as I said, sport is completely intertwined with my personal life, so it all fits together very well to be honest and I've found my balance there. »
How to deal with "procrastination" in sport ?
« I think it's a feeling we've all had.
In the summer, I personally don't feel like being cooped up in the gym, and on the other hand, in the winter, I don't always have the motivation to go golfing, with the rain, the cold...
But it's also the best time when you go, you train and then you go home and say to yourself 'that's it, it's done'. After that, procrastination doesn't really last, I don't force myself to go, it's a form of logic for me and above all I know the good it does me after I've been there. »
Which athlete inspires you across all disciplines ?
« One that comes to mind is Kevin Mayer, a decathlete who I find very inspiring: for his technique, for giving his all in 10 sports and also for his relentless mentality.
You have to realise that he's had quite a few injuries during his career and yet he's never given up, and that takes real courage I think.
What I also really like in sport is technique, and he has exceptional technique, especially when it comes to playing 10 sports.
He's not surrounded by many people either, but there's a real group of people who support and accompany him, and I really like that mentality too. »
Do you take dietary supplements?
«I did take some, mainly for bodybuilding. Mainly creatine: for performance and recovery. And I've started taking natural Whey too. »
Are there places in the World were you dream of playing golf?
« Of course! There are some 'iconic' places in golf, because each course is different. For example, St Andrews in Scotland, which is truly mythical, because it's here, for the record, that golf was created. So there's really all the history that makes this place so special.
And then, I'd say, Augusta in the United States, because it's really prestigious; and I even think that only two French players are registered there, which isn't very many. It's only when the professionals play that it's on TV, otherwise there's radio silence all year round, so that makes it even more mythical. »
Do you have a routine or ritual before playing a game?
« I don't really have a ritual, but more of a routine really. I start with a physical warm-up, then I hit a few balls, go over a few parts of the game... After that, we practise, have a little competition with my friends, and then we play.
That's generally how it works. »
Do you play golf competitively? If so, how do you cope withe the pressure of competitions or important games ?
« Yes, I do it competitively, so we have several meetings with the teams, starting with the departmentals and finishing with the French championships.
As far as pressure is concerned, I think we all try to deal with it as best we can. At the start, it's really breathing that's important: to get your heart rate down.
After that, staying in your own bubble, with your own music, can help, but you also need to talk to the others. I think it's really important to find that happy medium, because you have to remember that we're all stressed and we all want to play well. »
What do you think could be improved about golf?
« I think we can really talk about the environment: golf is a sport that gets polluted quite quickly with chemical fertilisers that are bad for the environment and the relationship with water as well; all these things around the environment that can still be improved, even if it's already well underway in France.
When it comes to equipment, too, there's a lot of progress to be made. There are lots of brands that are really innovating in terms of equipment, and that's always great to follow when you're passionate about it.
It's a sport that's still pretty complicated to turn into a full-time job, to make a living from it, I'm thinking in particular of the fact that you have to be pretty damn good at it and so very committed, there's really no room for error.
And finally, I'd say the "cliché" about golf and accessibility: the fact that it's 'only for the rich and not very accessible'. Golf is becoming more and more accessible and I hope that it will become even more so in the years to come, and also that it will be brought back a little more to France, because there are some really great values there and I really think that it has also forged me into who I am today. »
Thanks Enzo for your sharing!
