World Championship winner and GB Olympic hero Gail Emms spoke exclusively to iVillage.co.uk's Alex Hazell about badminton, marathons and mentoring stars of the future

That was a foreign dialing tone. Where are you?

Gail Emms: I'm currently in Denmark playing for a Danish team. I'm not playing professionally any more, but they asked me when I finished, and my old club didn't want me any more, so I agreed. I still enjoy it, it's the team thing and it's a gorgeous sunny day here in Copenhagen.

Are you also involved in some mentoring schemes?

Gail Emms: Yes, I'm involved in two schemes. The first is Youth Sport Trust through the Sky Sports Living for Sport programme. It uses sport to motivate and inspire young people who are at risk of opting out of school life. I talk about my experiences and try to motivate them.

The second scheme is as a mentor for Badminton England. I have two girls to mentor, Jenny Wallwork and Gaby White. I'm helping them to prepare for 2012. They don't need coaching, they are more talented than I ever was at that age, but they need guidance and time to mature. They will get some amazing opportunities and I'm just there to help.

How did you become involved?

Gail Emms: A lot of people assumed I would go into coaching, but it wasn't something that I was interested in. I still wanted to be involved and I wanted to help. I found I identified with Gaby and Jenny. I asked Sport England about them and became their mentor that way.

Why is mentoring so important?

Gail Emms: When you're between the ages of 14 and 18 is when it's crucial to get support. I had various family problems and I had a lot of avenues to choose from. I didn't know what to do, to concentrate on hockey or badminton. At my school it was very unusual to have someone competing at England level and studying and sometimes I just used to cry because I felt so overwhelmed. It's so important to surround yourself with the right people and that's what I did in Beijing. We were a very strong team and we were in the best possible shape.

Any other projects?

Gail Emms: I've been doing some TV presenting. I did a programme called Destination 2012 for Channel 4, which was great. I got to interview up-and-coming hopefuls in all disciplines from table tennis to fencing and water polo. The youngsters were all really involved and you could actually see and feel their ambition. I'm also a brand ambassador for Wilson rackets and there are a few other things in the pipeline.

I also hear you're running the London Marathon this year. What made you want to take part?

Gail Emms: I was bullied into it! A lady at Sparks - a charity I've been involved with for the best part of four years along with Nathan (Robertson, her former badminton partner) - asked me after Beijing. I know how hard it is to get a charity place and I just thought it was a great opportunity. My dad has run it before and I just thought it's a good way to keep fit and raise money, so why not?

What has been the toughest part of the training?

Gail Emms: I've spent the last 8-9 years as an elite level sportsman when I trained 2-3 times a day and suddenly I had to go back to 'normal life.' I'd be having meetings, travelling by train and then I'd have to fit training in around it and I'd be knackered! The lifestyle change has been a big shock. I used to have to be very careful about what I ate and drank as an athlete, but then I started having coffees and drinking alcohol and I got pretty unhealthy.

The last few months I've been taking Multibionta vitamins, I've cut down on coffee and alcohol and replaced them with fresh fruit and vegetables and plenty of good carbs. I've realised you can't run a marathon on alcohol, coffee and sandwiches! The body needs the right vitamins to repair itself.

How do you motivate yourself to exercise?

Gail Emms: There are times when you have to listen to your body. I've never been the sort of person to jump out of bed and go 'Woo-hoo, let's go exercise!', but you have to focus on the feeling you'll have when you've finished training for the day, on the hot shower at the end. When I do something, I do it properly.

Is it about positive mental attitude?

Gail Emms: Yes and it's in everyone. You just need to find the right focus, find something to motivate you. For me that thing is sport.

What tips would you give to someone thinking of running a marathon?

Gail Emms: Get to enjoy running first. If you absolutely hate running, then don't do a marathon! You need to start slowly and build yourself up. Enjoy being outside in the fresh air. Find someone you like to run with or somewhere you like to run and invest in the right clothing. I began by just doing 20-30 minute runs with my little dog and built up from there.

Find out more about Gail's multivitamin supplements at www.multibiontachallenge.co.uk