It's a new beginning
We've all been there before, embarking on a new journey, not really knowing what you're doing but confident it's going to be a good idea. Well that's kind of the feeling I have at the moment.
Are you going to join me?
I’ve been wanting to start a newsletter for quite some time, lots of people have suggested I should create one, and I feel now is a good time to do it. Why you may ask, well, before we start let’s find out more about me, Jacques Jefferies.
Born to English parents in the French Alps, I’ve lived in the mountains my whole life. That comes with a lot of advantages and a few if not no disadvantages at all, let’s be honest. Growing up in the mountains means two things, you are going to be outside a lot and sports are going to dominate most of your life. Well, that’s pretty much what happened to me. I started skiing as soon as I possibly could. I can say thanks to my dad for that one and since that day, all I’ve done is ski. Haha. If only.
It took me a while to find the sport I would truly love but in the process, I got to discover pretty much everything I can do where I live. When I was younger, in the summer I would be swimming and playing tennis, in the autumn you’d find me kicking a football around and trying my best at some judo, during the winter I’d be on the ski slopes and in the spring I’d get the mountain bike out as soon as possible. But it wasn’t until the winter of 2011 that I truly found what will dictate the next 12 years and still counting of my life.
Biathlon, that’s what I found
A sport combining cross-country skiing and rifle shooting, two very distinctive sports that when put together make for an incredible spectacle. Let’s leave 12 years of my life for another day and talk about present times. I’m now part of the French Ski Federation in the B national squad, I have been now for two seasons and I’ve just started what will hopefully be my third year racing for France. And that’s when you guys come in. Starting today and for hopefully many weeks to come I’m taking you on my journey to well who knows really, most people would say the Olympics, and I hope you’ll still be around for the Olympics but also for the many other years to come.
Throughout this journey, I plan on writing to you every two weeks, we’ll talk about my training, and my racing of course, but we’ll also touch on many other aspects of my life. Biathlon is my biggest project at the moment but I have many more, ranging from providing mental health resources for athletes who need them, all the way to printing and selling 3d sports parts to help people achieve better performances whilst racing. We’ll chat about everything and anything, the books I read, the videos I watch, and the podcasts I listen to with the objective of providing you with an insight into what it’s like being a professional athlete.
I can’t wait for this to start and for you guys to start reading about me and my journey. The first few weeks may be a little rusty oh and spelling is going to be a fun one I’ll use the excuse of “Mais je suis français c’est normal” but I’m sure that wants we’ve got started everything will start flowing normally. So what are you waiting for? The first edition of the OFF THE RANGE newsletter is already out and ready for you to read!