Adam Mattiusi is a strength and conditioning coach working with The Royal Ballet in London. Adam followed a Bachelor in Strength and Conditioning Science, followed by a Master in Sports Rehabilitation. Currently, he is completing his PhD, investigating injury, strength, and jumping in professional ballet dancers. Adam has gained accreditation with the UK Strength and Conditioning Association and the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences. He has a - what some might consider - an unusual background and mix of skills for his position at the Royal Ballet, and he shared with me his challenges in dealing with this at the job. We talked about the value to reflect on your less obvious behaviours, and how he does so from a positive mindset. To top it up, Adam shares a little of his Strength and Conditioning magic.

To break the ice and to get to know him better, I asked him what would be his first song on the mixtape of his life. Intro by the XX. 

For me, Adam, is like the type of professional I look up to. The model of a balanced, calm, thoughtful, powerful even, the person I would like to be. I would almost say that I am jealous of the dancers that get to work with him. I know now, however, that he also has doubts, limitations and hesitations, and how he needs to work hard on a daily basis to be his best as an individual and professional. For me, this is a clear recognition that no one is perfect even though they might appear near so. And, as an important take-home message lying grumpy on the couch after a day of work serves a very important purpose.