Why do I run as a Voice Actor?

A few months ago, I signed up for the Round Sheffield Run; a multi-stage 20km trail run around, you guessed it, Sheffield. For anyone who's been to Sheffield you'll know we certainly aren't sparing with our hills., and the elevation makes me wince whenever I think too long about it.

I've done this race once before a number of years ago and I certainly did not "smash it". The official race pictures of me are an advert for why you should never miss a training session, and I have to laugh seeing how broken I look, and remembering how broken I felt.

Why are you putting yourself through it again, Jen? I hear you ask your screen. Well... it's a truly beautiful route (again, if you've been to Sheffield you'll know). I am also an eternal optimist, and I want to believe that I can do these kind of things! Plus life is short and I don't won't fear to hold me back.

Fortunately, this time I'm not doing it alone as a very kind friend has agreed to do it with me (on an unrelated note, this will be her first time doing this race). She and I met to try out some of the initial stages and my goodness I am not ready. A couple of years ago I moved to a flatter area and my overall fitness definitely know about it.

So! I am now actively seeking out hills for at least some of my runs and I seriously hope it starts to make a difference. I've a few months yet before race day so I will let you know how I am getting on...

Running for me is a saviour for my mental health and happiness but as an actor it's crucial that my fitness levels remain up there.

When people think of Voice Acting they may not realise just quite how physical it can be. For character roles for something like a video game this can be taken to extremes with up to four hours of full body movement to create the character we're depicting. For other genres, the same goes. Whilst we might not be playing with the same extremes we need to engage our whole bodies not just our voices or this could lead to all kinds of problems for us, and won't give you the excellent voiceover your project deserves.

Looking for a Northern British female Voiceover? You know where I am- if not in the booth, then in all likelihood trudging up a hill, desperately muttering positive affirmations under my breath. Feel free to send some my way! I'm going to need all the help I can get!

Jen Lawton-Hunt Northern female British Voiceover and Actor ;)