Hannah Robinson: “I always say the best performance-enhancing drug is fuelling your body properly.”

Hannah Robinson: “I always say the best performance-enhancing drug is fuelling your body properly.”

Hannah Robinson is ticking along just nicely in the pro ranks. Unbeaten in six fights and on the verge of a world title opportunity at super-lightweight. The 32-year-old can be extremely pleased with her progress since turning professional in 2024 after a successful amateur career that included two national titles.

Robinson is happy with how her life and career are going. But that hasn’t always been the case. That amateur run was plagued by injuries and a constant battle with the scales. It’s that period in her life that prompted Robinson to take an active interest in nutrition.

“It’s something I’ve learned about the hard way; it’s why I got interested in it in the first place,” Robinson told FightPost over Zoom. “I’ve always been dead sporty and into my fitness and nutrition. I have tried everything I have seen online.”

That time in Sheffield at GB was a period of mixed emotions for her. “When I went on to GB, you had to be on weight all the time,” Robinson says. “You are dieting all the time, and I knew I wasn’t fuelling my body properly, and I wanted to educate myself on it. I did my Masters Degree in nutrition at Sheffield Hallamshire University. Really just for my own curiosity, and to improve my boxing. I really enjoyed it, and it is something I want to do after boxing. Now that I am a pro, I have got some time in between my fights, and I want to help other athletes get the most out of their sport. Also, I want to help normal everyday people and teach them how important nutrition is.”

“I have learned about it the hard way,” the 32-year-old added. “Starving myself, doing no-carb diets. I had really low estrogen at one point when I was on GB. My hair was thin, and started to fall out. I had bad skin and stress fractures. I was training too hard and not eating enough. I got educated on it, and now I want to help people in the same position that I was, and show them how important it is to give your body enough fuel. It is something I am really passionate about. I can relate to other athletes. It is difficult in boxing when you have to make weight, but it’s finding that balance.”

Robinson achieved plenty in that amateur run. But was the enjoyment muted somewhat because of that never-ending fight to stay on weight?

“I think I would have enjoyed it a lot more,” Robinson says. “Food was always a massive issue for me in terms of enjoying the sport. I got on to GB at 60kg. When I won my national title at 60kg, I made the weight really unhealthily. I was dehydrated. I cut out loads of carbs. I secured my spot on GB at that lower weight. I eventually moved up, but I was struggling to keep making 60kg all the time. It was a vicious cycle. I was under-eating, but my weight was going back up as soon as I gave my body enough fuel. My weight was going up and down. It was always a constant battle. When I left GB, turned professional and finished my degree, I have had a good, consistent run now. My calories are back up, I have a lot more balance, and I am a lot happier now. That includes outside of the ring as well; I have a lot more energy. I was like a zombie before. It has really added to my quality of life, and not just improved my sports performance.”

With lessons learned, Robinson now understands the importance of nutrition in sports. “I don’t think at the time, you realise how much better you could feel. The amount it affects your performance is unbelievable, really. I always say the best performance-enhancing drug is fuelling your body properly.”

Some fighters cut an obscene amount of weight. One recently told me he put on around thirty pounds in the twenty-four hours between the weigh-in and the actual fight. Robinson told me the correct way of making weight.

“To start early, and not be too heavy going into your training camp. To bring your weight down gradually. To fuel your sessions, make sure that in your hard sessions you have enough fuel in your body. I think the key is not to be too high over your weight class. If you are, go up a weight. You have to eat well all year round. Don’t just say I am going into camp; I had better eat clean now. It’s a lifestyle. I am not saying you can’t have treats, but 80% of the time you should be eating like an athlete.”

Hannah Robinson could be entering a critical part of her career. On the verge of big fights, Robinson is reaping the rewards of all her hard work. But nutrition will still be a big part of her life, during and after boxing.

“I want to help athletes, or just people who want to get the most out of their training sessions,” Robinson relayed to me. “I will give them fully personalised nutrition programmes. Work around their days, their training. Put a plan together for them to follow. Hopefully, that will teach them long-term how to eat and fuel their bodies properly. I am looking to build my own client base.”   

Photo Credit: Andy Futers