Women's Fitness
We caught up with local golden girl, Noemie Fox to chat all things wellness, fitness and nutrition (and, of course, understand her winning formula)! Fox won the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, in the women’s slalom kayak cross event, becoming the first-ever Olympic champion in that event, at the National Olympic Nautical Stadium of Île-de-France in Vaires-sur-Marne!
Congrats on your amazing win in Paris! Please explain to us average folk what it’s like to win an Olympic gold medal. Especially with your sister!
It was pure magic!!! Watching Jess reach her dreams, inspire the world and win two golds was so incredible. When it came to my turn, I was so ready to get out there and prove to myself that I was capable of greatness too. I really wanted to deliver my best and be proud. It was so special to have Jess go from competitor to cheerleader to then be the first one there to meet me at the finish. Paris was just so special for our whole family and a moment in time that I’ll never forget, ever!
Can you tell us a bit about your shoot?
This past year so much of my training has been focussed on improving my strength in the gym and transferring it to the boat. It’s really cool to have been able to shoot in this gym but also showcase a bit of what life’s been like since the Games!
Are there any other funny anecdotes you can share about this shoot?
I didn’t want to let go of the Walkman. I got a few looks walking around with it in the gym. It was blasting Michael Jackson the whole time and was such a vibe!
Pacer Short $50
Adidas Court Silk Sneaker $110
Do you have a morning routine that you swear by?
I have to leave by 6:30 / 6:45 every morning to get to training and I really prioritise my sleep, so I’m pretty time poor in the mornings! I always leave the house with a big home-made barista coffee, slap on some sunscreen and call my grandma on my way to training before she goes to sleep in France!
Was health and fitness important to you growing up, and how has your fitness philosophy changed?
Naturally, yes! Both of my parents were former athletes so we always had a healthy and active childhood. We tried different sports. I did dance, swimming, tumbling and kayaking growing up and we ate relatively healthy and balanced. Over the years my relationship with fitness has definitely changed – I used to hate strength training and refused to do gym. Now I do gym twice a week, I love the strength I’ve built and how it transfers on the water. Over the past two years I’ve tried to really focus on prioritising my sleep and recovery, which is still a work in progress!
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Puma Carina 2.0 Sneaker
Talk us through your weekly training split.
I’m only just starting to get back into routine since the Olympics. Our domestic season is early in the new year so I’m currently doing 6-8 whitewater sessions a week, made up of a mix of endurance training, technique and skill repetition training as well as race simulation delivery training. Then I’m adding in two strength sessions in the gym – lots of bench press, chin ups and bench pull. I try fit in two trail or road running sessions and something I’ve been trying to add into my routine more is Yoga!
How do you stay motivated on days when you don’t feel like working out?
There are days that are definitely hard, in the gym or on the water where I’m exhausted, sluggish and nothing feels right! For me it’s all about showing up and trying to push myself to be the best I can be with what I have on the day. Sometimes that can be a surprise PB and sometimes it’s lowering the weight and removing reps. My coaches are there every day with so much passion and enthusiasm, they keep me moving forward no matter what state I show up to training in!
If you’re not in activewear at the gym, what are you most likely to be doing?
At the moment, outside of training I’m doing quite a few end-of-year events, awards ceremonies or speaking at conferences! It’s definitely a busy time of year and it’s been nice dressing up, speaking at events, doing media and pushing myself in different ways. But I’m also enjoying all the quiet time I get to go out to coffee with my friends and settle back into my apartment and routine!
We live in an age of social media where people have more access than ever to our lives and are quick to judge. How do you handle negative comments or criticism online and in real life?
At the moment, outside of training I’m doing quite a few end of year events, awards ceremonies or speaking at conferences! It’s definitely a busy time of year and it’s been nice dressing up, speaking at events, doing media and pushing myself in different ways. But I’m also enjoying all the quiet time I get to go out to coffee with my friends and settle back into my apartment and routine!
What self-care strategies do you use to maintain positive mental health?
The biggest one for me over the past year has actually been positive self-talk and reinforcement! I’ve really learned to shift my perspective on things, reframe situations and build up my self-belief tank. This is something I’m really proud of and it’s massively benefited my mental health! When I’m travelling and on the road, I do things like keep to my skincare routine, journal and go out for coffee!
What’s a fitness myth that you wish would go away, and why?
That strength training will make you big and bulky! I fell victim to this fear for a big part of my teen years. In our sport we naturally develop big shoulders and upper body strength, I never wanted to get even “bigger” than kayaking would naturally make me. Strength training is so important to build muscle, bone density and prevent injury. My S&C coach has been a key player in changing my perception, debunking this myth and helping me appreciate all the benefits it adds to my training, health and life!
What is your approach to nutrition? How do you maintain balance and still enjoy your favourite foods?
I’m really grateful to be in a sport where we don’t have to carb load, taper or meet a certain weight, the goal is to always be healthy and feel good. Like a lot of female athletes, I’ve had a bit of a battle with body image and my relationship with food. I’m really proud of the balanced and holistic approach I have with nutrition now. I I eat to fuel my body and get the most out of it. I love a little treat after dinner. It’s also one of my self-care strategies. 😉
What’s your go-to treat?
At the moment I’m really going through a Cadbury chocolate phase. I think it’s because I’ve been away from home so much!
Who inspires you?
There are so many people that inspire me, not just in the sporting field. It’s obviously so hard to look past my sister, Jess who inspires me every day with her humility and ability to keep pushing to bigger heights and bringing everyone else up with her in the process.
You’re working out in the gym – what are you listening to?
I love a lot of different styles of music and often it depends who I’m with! UK Drill, French Rap, EDM and Rufus is always in there too. When it’s a very hard testing session, I’ll fully plan a new playlist to make sure that my favourite songs distract me from the pain the whole time.
Reflecting on your whole journey to date, what are you most proud of – personally or professionally?
I think for the rest of my life, the answer to this question will always be – my journey to the Olympics! In the past year I’ve gone from being so upset and defeated by how small and unattainable the one-shot Olympic qualification window seemed to fully committing to the goal, leading my qualification strategy, qualifying and then winning gold at the Olympics. I think my journey has really been about bravely seizing the opportunity and believing in yourself.
Tokito Belle heeled shoe
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
You have to put in the work to keep on improving and deeply believe that you have what it takes, that eventually you will be rewarded! This is something my mum told me when there was a lot of doubt and uncertainty around the qualification to Paris. It made me really focus on the process but also enjoy having a goal as big as trying to qualify for the Olympics. I’m really grateful for this process driven mindset, the gratitude I developed and how positive I stayed. I really did pay off!
What’s next for you?
I’m currently enjoying all the new opportunities and events that have been coming my way but I’m already thinking about the next big competition and that’s a home World Championships in Penrith next October!
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Tokito Florence Sandal
STATUS UPDATE:
FULL NAME: Noemie Fox
HOMETOWN: Sydney
BORN: 19/03/1997
Instagram: @_noemiefox
TikTok: @noemiefox
All products worn by Naomie are available at Myer. While you’re there check out their great range of wellness products too!
Pro Collagen +
Sunscreen SPF 50+
Photographer: Neil Dixon
Hair and make-up: Helen Bennetts
Location: Acero Gym, Fullerton Hotel Sydney
Styling: Myer
For the full article grab the December/January 2025 issue of Women’s Fitness Australia from newsagents and convenience locations. Subscribe here.
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