Inspiring people - Espen Jansen

Espen Jansen is a 46-years old norwegian gymnast. I have discussed with him few times when we were training and competing together during years 2004-2006. I quitted competing in 2009 mostly because some minor injuries and also lack of time. On the other hand, Espen is still in fit and continues competing.

I don´t know Espen personally very well. However, after our discussions this joyful gymnast has been one of my idols. An inspiring person who enjoys what he´s doing and who has also time and energy to take care of other people.

Few weeks ago I sent a message to Espen and asked if he would be willing to give a short interview for my blog and luckily he said yes. Many thanks Espen! Here is what he answered to my questions:

Photo:emilkjossollie

Juha: You are 46 -years old, you have four children, you are working in your own gym and still training. And at least in every competition where we have met you have always seemed to enjoy yourself and have also energy to give audience a good time with extra breakdance tricks during waiting time. How do you do this? I mean that many 46 year old men with job and children have kind of a given up training because they don´t have time or energy for it anymore.

Espen: I think its very important to enjoy what you do. Its also important to give something to the audience. The reason i do gymnastics is of course because i love it. All my life i had several excelent experiences because of gymnastics, and still do. So i will continue doing it as long as i can. I also remember how important it was for me when i was young, that older and better gymnasts payed attention to us little ones. I get a lot of my motivation from the joy the younger gymnasts show me, and i feel we talk the same language.

Now having four kids, full job, and coaching every afternoon, my own training is what gives
me more energy. If i did not stay fit, i don´t think i could manage. I also always do warm up
and basic with my gymnasts, so i get extra training by attending my own trainings.

Juha: What is the most important thing in (your) life?

Espen: Most important in my life is of course family. But i am lucky that i have a gym 900 meters from my home, and that i have flexible worktime. I also do a lot of my work from home. And even if i work a lot i have a lot of time with my children. They are also in the gym dancing and/or doing gymnastics, plus i really pay attention to them at home.


Juha: How did you become a gymnast? If you would´t be a gymnast what would you do then?

Espen: I became a gymnast because a friend brougth me. I was early hooked and found out it more fun to be a good gymnast than a poor gymnast, so i did a lot of hard work. =)

If i didn´t do gymnastics i dont know. I have done a lot of other sports and enjoyed that, but i always ends back to gymnastics. If i could be anything else i would like to be a rock star =)

Photo:hpskurdal

Juha: Who has been your greatest teacher/coach? Why?

Espen: I had some good coaches. The most important coach for my was Åge Storhaug. He was a lot more than a coach for me, and was a unique person with unique personality. Another good coach i had was Liu Tai Lai, Li Jings former coach.

Juha: In a national team camp you kept us warm up with yoga. I think yoga and gymnastics have many same elements. Both of them feel especially great when you are able to concentrate fully on what you are doing. At that is also when they look beautiful. Are you still doing yoga regularly? Do you think gymnasts would have something they could learn from yoga? 

Espen: I still do Yoga. It was something i always wanted, and after starting i find out that i already did a lot of Yoga in my gymnastics training. But to get the flow, keep flexible an breathe during movement yoga really helps.

All gymnasts should do more yoga =)

Juha: Any plans for the future? Have you thought have long you are going to compete in gymnastics or just going day by day?

Espen: Plans... I want to stay fit. I will stay playing, and for me the most important thing is to be able to move. My level is not the highest anymore, but i like to do the movement, and i like to challenge myself. I will continue at my terms as long as i can, as long as people appreciate it, and as long as i can inspire people.

Juha: Do you have time to read? If so, than what is the latest book you have read?

Espen: I try to read when i have time. traveling a lot so its always some time. I read a lot of medical stuff to understand my body, and also books to let my mind have a break. Now i`m reading a book called: The analfabet that could calculate.

Juha: Any greetings to people who would like to live a happy and balanced life? Any tips for (young) gymnasts?

Espen: My tip would be to work hard - have no limits - and enjoy all aspect of your situation. Hard is good and pain is temporary. And always be nice to the younger gymnasts =)

Photo:hpskurdal