Photo: Sophie Nina Mortimore | Jess (right) with teammate Vicky

What’s life like as an athlete gearing up for the Commonwealth Games? Medal hopeful and one half of England’s #1 ranked women’s beach volleyball team, Jessica Grimson, knows all about late-night training sessions and early mornings, which up until recently she’s had to squeeze in alongside her fulltime job as a sports therapist.

With the Commonwealth Games just weeks away, 27-year-old Jess and teammate Vicky Palmer are preparing to fly out to a Team England holding camp in Australia. Here, she shares some insights into what goes on behind the scenes.