Tuesday 14 February 2017 12:05, UK
It's been quite a year for Holly Bradshaw and the drama will no doubt keep rolling with an Olympics approaching fast.
The 24-year-old pole vaulter from Preston seems to be in the shape of her life, so what exactly is she up to in South Africa?
The Sky Academy Sports Scholar reveals all about getting fit in sunnier more relaxing climes, her excitement for a hectic 2016 and her desires to slip into Christmas pyjamas.
This is my third year in a row coming out to Stellenbosch, South Africa and I'm enjoying my time here just as much as always. Since we booked to come away on this camp in June, I've been looking forward to it so much.
Apart from home in the UK, Stellenbosch is my favourite place on the planet. The weather is brilliant, the place is beautifully peaceful, the training facilities are exactly what we need and the food is amazing and fresh.
The lifestyle couldn't be more perfect for a successful training camp. I've been back in training now for nine weeks and things are going great.
I've managed to put in a good stint of fitness, strength and technical work without any injury blips, which for my team and me is the more important thing for next year.
With Rio 2016 looming, my aims for the year are solely to remain healthy. The past few years have been a real injury battle but after finishing 7th at the World Championships and limited amounts of training, I have realised that the health and wellbeing of my body has a much higher priority than anything else.
Remaining healthy while continually building training loads and intensities is the plan we have adopted this year.
As I sit here in my room writing these words, I can hear my coach playing Christmas music downstairs, which makes me super, super excited. I am the biggest Christmas fan of all-time so coming away this close to Christmas isn't usually something I would be keen on!
We land back home on December 21, which means I practically miss all the festive build-up. South Africa isn't anywhere near as Christmassy as the UK, but to make up for it I meticulously planned accordingly.
I packed: 2 x Christmas advent calendars, 2 x Christmas themed candle holders, Christmas scented candles, 2 sets of Christmas PJs, Christmas jewellery, a snowman mug, Christmas socks, mulled wine spiced syrup. To top it off we bought a Christmas tree out here and decorated it.
Although I had to sacrifice some clothes in my suitcase, it was totally worth it, as now I feel all festive.
WHAT'S COMING UP FOR OUR SCHOLARS
25 NOV-DEC 21: Holly Bradshaw, South Africa training camp
DEC 9-23: Olivia Breen, Winter training camp in Doha
17-20 DEC: Siobhan O'Connor, ASA National Short Course Champs, Sheffield
w/c 28th DEC: Elise Christie, British Champs, Milton Keynes
