Nicola Adams: 'When I'm not boxing I like to be on a beach having a pina colada'

How often do you travel?

I’m constantly shuttling between my home in Leeds, where I grew up, and San Francisco. I’m based there for boxing training with the American coach Virgil Hunter at his gym in Oakland, California. He’s training champions including Amir Khan. I’m looking to buy an apartment in San Francisco soon. Whenever I’m not competing, I go back to Leeds for a couple of weeks. I’m just starting to get used to the 11-hour flights, an eight-hour time difference and the jet lag.

Any advice on overcoming jet lag?

I adjust my behaviour to the time of my destination, so when I’m flying back to the US, I try to sleep on the plane when everybody in San Francisco would be sleeping and then wake up accordingly.

What do you need for the perfect holiday?

In the summer, I like to be on a nice beach having a piña colada cocktail and do water sports, such as jet skiing or banana boating. In the winter, I absolutely love snowboarding. Wherever I go, I need something with lots of activities to keep me busy, otherwise I get bored easily. 

Your earliest memory of travelling abroad?

Some of my happiest memories growing up are of going to New York on holiday for six weeks every summer. We had family there and I really used to look forward to it. I saw all the major sights such as the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building. My cousins and I would hang out at the local pizza parlour and I’d beg my dad to take me to the theme parks. Back home, we’d go on regular day trips to theme parks such as Alton Towers and Thorpe Park. Every year I’d hope that I’d grown enough to go on some of the rides for older kids. I still love theme parks.

The most unusual places you have ever competed?

The first was Ningbo, China, in 2008 for the World Amateur Championships. That’s where I won my first world medal – a silver. It’s an industrial coastal town with one of the busiest ports in the world. I definitely had culture shock. It was teeming with people – I couldn’t get over how crowded it was. And the food was so different – I was once given soup made with baby turtle meat. 

I couldn’t eat it, as I’m a real animal lover. Besides, I had to stick to what I knew; I couldn’t risk getting a dodgy stomach before my fight.

Back in July 2013, for the European Union Amateur Championships, I fought in Keszthely, Hungary. It’s a small but beautiful lakeside resort town, steeped in history and surrounded by an area known for its wine and spas. 

It was really, really hot, but, oddly, rather than the fight being held in a typical sports hall or arena, it was in a giant wedding marquee. Very random.

Favourite holiday destination?

Miami. I first went there in 2010 for a training camp in preparation for the World Championships with the United States team, and I’ve been back several times since. I loved the people and the weather. From there I travelled to Barbados, where the competition was held. The beaches were incredibly beautiful and after the day’s training, it was such a relief to be able to dive straight into the sea. It was so warm, but refreshing nevertheless.

Favourite city?

I’ve fallen in love with San Francisco in the past year, since I moved there. It’s great for tourists because there’s so much to see, such as Alcatraz, the trams, the Golden Gate Bridge and Lombard Street, said to be the steepest and most crooked street in the world. And the weather is so sunny.

Favourite hotels?

The Shangri-La at the Shard and the Park Lane Hilton, both in London. At the Shangri-La, I love the 360-degree views over the capital which are especially magical and beautiful by night. At the Park Lane, I really love the staff and the bar on the top floor – they do the best cocktails. 

Favourite restaurant?

There are too many to name, because I do so much eating out. But I especially love Mexican food, so I’m lucky that San Francisco has some fantastic examples such as La Taqueria, Colibri and Gracias Madre. I love Brazilian steakhouses, too. Fogo de Chão is an excellent choice.

Favourite city for nightlife?

You can’t beat London. I’m not a big drinker, but after months of preparing for a competition, I love going out to let my hair down and celebrate afterwards.

Worst travel experience?

When I was 24, I was on a girls’ holiday in Portugal and I got bitten by a spider, which made my leg balloon after it got infected. I still have a scar from it. These days I seem to be cursed by airport and flight delays, which is annoying, but I use the time to go over work, read through scripts and watch a backlog of television series. I’ve just finished The Walking Dead and I’m a huge fan of Game of Thrones. 

Favourite airline?

I love Virgin Atlantic and British Airways. They offer great direct flights from the UK to San Francisco.

Your one travel essential?

My tablet, which is loaded with books, movies and television shows.

What do you hate about travelling?

I’m quite impatient from the time I get to the airport to the flight, always looking at the clock.

Where next?

Australia. I’m hoping to arrange a rumble in a jungle out there so I can visit.

Believe (Viking, £14.99) by Nicola Adams is out now.     

Interview by Sarah Ewing