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Raise Your Game: What's the secret to giving a great performance?

Kelly Sotherton: Every time I pull on a British vest and there's a medal at stake, I know I can go up to the next level. I never perform very well in national championships. I have a history of performing poorly, but I'm not bothered. I know the performances are there, and that my training's going really well.

On the day, something just takes over and I can perform. You need to be focused and have fun at the same time. Adrenaline is fantastic but it can also be a terrible thing. I like to go out there, make sure I have the adrenaline at the right time, make sure I enjoy the competition, and competing against everyone else.

RYG: What are you going to do to prepare mentally for the big events coming up?

KS: Mentally I'm pretty good as I deal with pressure very well. I don't know how it happens. That's at the back of my mind. I just want to get myself healthy and be able to train properly. That's my only aim for the next four weeks.

RYG: Why is it important to be fit and healthy?

KS: I don't want to go to a championship struggling to give my best performance. I won't go if I'm in that state because I won't do myself justice and I'll be terrible. You need to know your own body and be able to get yourself and your body in the best possible condition you can.

I'm very lucky in that I know my own body and my own mind. I cope with injuries very well. I cope with getting over them very well. I'm a very positive person as well, so if something does go wrong, staying positive helps me repair.

RYG: How important is it to have an education behind you, just in case?

KS: School always comes first. As long as you at least do well in your GCSE's, that's important. You can study anytime and that's the most important thing.

If you are talented at sports, sometimes you need to postpone your education for a time, but you can always go back to it. You can't always go back to your sport when you're 45. I don't have a degree, but I still got my GCSE's and my A levels. When I'm finished, if I want to go back to university, I can.

RYG: How do you prepare to give a great performance?

KS: That's a trade secret. It just happens (laughs).

RYG: Do you have any superstitions before you perform?

KS: I don't do superstitions. If you don't have your favourite pair of socks or your teddy bear, you start worrying about it and it's unnecessary to have one. I am superstitious, but I've learnt not to be in athletics anymore.

RYG: What are your goals for the future?

KS: My goal is to compete for the next four years and to finish in London 2012.

RYG: What has sport given you?

KS: It's given me five medals. It's enabled me to buy my house (laughs). There are financial rewards if you're successful and that's a massive benefit, but you shouldn't do it for that. I do it because I want the medals. The medals mean more than the money or anything that comes with it. I do it to be the best I can possible be.

RYG: What advice would you give to somebody looking to be the next Kelly Sotherton?

KS: It's fun and it's a great event. It's a great sport to be in. You're working outside. If you get to be successful you get to travel the world. You meet fantastic people. It keeps you fit and healthy and it's a really enjoyable event. I love athletics and I don't know what I'd do without it. You get lots of camaraderie, being in a team. It's a great sport to be in.