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: Alexis Mehaignerie
Alexis Mehaignerie is the CEO of Abyss Ingredients. Beyond, his commitment, his kindness, and his optimism at work for 7 years, discover him from another side: sport and specifically cyclism.
Alexis practise cyclism since ever and never get tired of. After he tried running and swimming, it is his passion for cyclism that came out on top.
Today, he handles at once his CEO career and his passion for sport and cyclism. |  |
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 mention humility, because you quickly realize that you're quite limited. Then there's endurance, being able to put in the effort and maintain it requires a fair amount of perseverance, especially over distance.
And finally, there's the satisfaction that comes from the result: to really feel that pleasure after you've made the effort. The notion of reward is important: getting into the swing of things, going for it, and then finding the pleasure and, above all, the satisfaction of knowing you've done it. Sport really teaches us about the effort of sport, which is both suffering and pleasure. »
What role does sport play in your daily life and what do you gain from it?
‘I've given up running, so I mainly cycle and swim. Sport has a lot of benefits for me: I really feel like I can clear my head and do something good for myself.
I also particularly enjoy the contact with nature, because in both my sports I'm always in the fresh air. Both for cycling, which is always done outside, and for swimming, which I do in a Nordic pool. I particularly practise those sports to keep fit, by going for the effort, and feeling physical and mental well-being.
But there's also a whole other side to the sport that I do on the other side, which is much more fun, based around sharing, which is more linked with the pleasure aspect, because I do it as part of a group. Whether it's playing football with my friends, or a game of basketball with my children. I'm much more interested in the fun side, the sharing, the good mood, and not the primary intention of exercising. »
In your opinion, how do you reconcile work, personal life, and physical activity?
« You often hear people say: ‘I wish I could do sport, but I don't have the time.’ As far as I'm concerned, I see this as a false problem, because deep down they don't really like it or don't really want to. When you feel like it, you get there and go for it, sometimes the hardest thing is just getting started.
Before, I only ran during the week and never at weekends, so that I could use that time to do activities with my children. Now it's different, they've grown up a lot, so I no longer have problems coordinating these different aspects of my life. »
How do you deal with procrastination in sport?
« There's no better way to procrastinate than through sport. You always have a good excuse for not going for a run, you always have a good excuse for not putting your shoes on, or not getting your bike out.
It's true that it's not always easy to get going, especially with the weather sometimes, but one thing's for sure, it's always nice to get back.
In the end, you end up going because you know you're going to enjoy it, and that's really rewarding.
So yes, it's because you know there's pleasure at the end of the day that procrastination is less strong, and you go for it. Also, in a way, sport allows me to indulge in life's little or big excesses, because I know behind it that I'm going to burn off some energy... »
Which athlete inspires you across all disciplines?
« There are plenty of them, of course, but I find Michael Jordan an incredible source of inspiration.
He has an incredible fighting spirit, great team spirit and runs an impressive business. He didn't fill a stadium at the time, and today his tickets are among the most expensive in the history of basketball.
Not to mention all the creation and collaboration with Nike, it's a real demonstration of power and inspiration in the world of sport and business.
Then there's Kylian Jornet, who is for me a superman. He's capable of running almost 150 km without stopping. Between the “Tour du Mont Blanc” and other breathtaking routes and disciplines that he has done, he is for me an example of fighting spirit and extraordinary power. »
Can you describe a typical cycling session for you?
« I'm not really a role model, to be honest. I just go for it spontaneously, without calculating. I don't warm up in any particular way, or do any other kind of preparation, just feel like it, get on my bike and go.
I set off for a minimum of 2 hours, although this can vary depending on the circuit I'm doing. If I'm doing a loop, I'll take around 2-3 hours. But if I'm travelling somewhere I don't know or even by the sea, I'll take longer, between 4 and 5 hours.
So, I really don't set any time limits beforehand, simply with the idea of enjoying myself, finding the simple pleasure of riding, pedalling and practising sport, rather than conditioning myself to plan ahead.
I don't have any particular recuperation time either, I just eat and drink and savour the pleasure of my effort. I just go for it, without thinking about what to do before or afterwards.”
What are the greatest challenges you have faced as a cyclist?
« I'd definitely say hunger pangs: a term used in cycling, in other words a terrible feeling of hunger that reflects a major “lack of fuel in the machine” (sugar). And, as it happens, hunger pangs often occur when you don’t expect it. It's as if all of a sudden our strength deserted us, we're completely unplugged.
It happened to me once: one day, early in the morning, with the sun shining and my energy high, I set off on a bike ride in an agitated state. Then, after several kilometres, still on an empty stomach and in the sunshine, I suddenly felt a terrible hunger pang. I had to force myself to go down to the first village on my route to stop and find even one bakery. As luck would have it, I found one, wolfed down 5 “pains au chocolat” and found myself a ditch to take a nap in. I woke up later, felt a lot better and left as if nothing had happened. »
What advice would you give to someone wanting to take up cycling?
“I really don't think I'm an example to follow, as I said, so I'd be careful not to give out any advice! For me, the most important thing is just to enjoy yourself.
If you feel like cycling, put on your helmet, shoes and pedal.”
Thank you Alexis for your sharing!
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