Newcastle University

From AlumNews, Feb 2009 

We know her as Dr Zoe Williams (MB BS 2007), Burnley lass,  SHO at Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust, and top flight rugby player for Blaydon WRFC. But to millions more across the country, she's now Amazon: fearless Gladiator and eco-warrior.

Ditching her Hippocratic Oath (for the time being at least), Zoe takes away pain with one hand, whilst dishing it out to her unwitting opponents with the other. But for Zoe, being part of the line-up for Sky One's new Gladiators – a reboot of the 1990s TV favourite – is an ideal opportunity to encourage environmental awareness and healthy living.

AlumNews chats to Newcastle's very own warrior princess.

What’s it like being a Gladiator?

It’s brilliant, I love it. I loved Gladiators when I was growing up, it’s probably my favourite TV show of all time. And when it came back last year, I had Sky Plus and I watched every episode. I auditioned to be a contender, and they did a screen test and fitness test, and then I was asked to audition again as a Gladiator, which I wasn’t expecting. So when they told me I’d got through the following week, I was over the moon. Being a Gladiator is awesome, it’s like being in a big adventure playground for adults!

Are you a Gladiator full-time, or do you still work as a doctor?

I was working as a full-time doctor in Newcastle, but in order for me to film the first series I had to move to London for six weeks. Even in between series, there’s lots of work with the media, and training. So I’m having a break from full-time work as a doctor whilst I’m filming Gladiators, but in between series I’m working locum shifts in the North East.

The Gladiators look like quite intimidating characters. What are they like to spend time with?

They’re actually all lovely people. I was one of the new guys in the second series, and we were welcomed with open arms into the team. Everyone’s been lovely, even the meanest of the mean. Some of the Gladiator characters are based on the personalities of the people playing them, but very exaggerated versions. I won’t say who I mean…

Are you and Amazon quite similar?

I don’t think we’re too dissimilar. She’s very competitive, but also fair, and will respect a contender who gives it their all, but gets frustrated if they don’t. She’s certainly a nice Gladiator, but expects the best from contenders.

According to the Gladiators Zone website, there’s a danger of your ‘wild nature taking over, and you pulverising your opponents’…

Ha! Well it’s a case of doing whatever it takes to win. But more than anything, she’s a team player and always looks after the other Gladiators, and loves a good team event with a high-five at the end.

What’s your favourite event?

I enjoy them all really. Some of the Gladiators have specialist events which suit their ability, whether strength, speed or agility, but I’m a bit of an all-rounder. I do enjoy Pursuit and Powerball though.

How are you adjusting to being a celebrity?

Well I’ve not been asked for autographs or anything! But sometimes people stop me in the street and politely ask: ‘Are you that Gladiator?’ I’m a blood donor, and was giving blood the other week, and before the medic put the needle into my arm, he said: ‘Is it true you’re a Gladiator?’ and I was surprised he recognised me, because I look quite different in real life to the way I do on the show. So I manage to get away with it usually!

What does being Sky’s ‘Green Gladiator’ involve?

The environment is a big part of Sky’s ethos, and they’ve been carbon neutral since May 2006. Now they’re working with a charity called Global Action Plan to raise awareness of green issues, and Amazon is the face of that campaign, as the Green Gladiator. Personally, I’m really passionate about the environment, and I’ve always tried to be energy efficient and non-wasteful, but now I’m making some bigger changes and documenting them, and I’m hoping this will encourage people to follow suit.

And you’re documenting this in an ‘eco-diary’?

That’s right. I’ll be writing about my progress in an online eco-diary. So things like getting a composter at home and using a water-efficient showerhead. I’ve also been making my own cleaning products and testing them out – which I’ve been quite impressed with! And I’ve been looking into the origins of my clothing, and am planning to buy organic and fairly traded clothes, such as the new range at H&M. I’m working on an allotment in London, and setting up a wormery with Global Action Plan too, so I’m making lots of changes! And Sky are setting up a ‘Green Gladiator’ web page, so people can follow my progress.

And you're also working with schools too?

Yes, 'Appetie for Action' is a schools campaign that Sky have set up with Global Action Plan. It’s a competition in primary schools throughout the UK to help kids make the connection between the food they eat, and food that gets wasted and the impact it has on the environment. So I’ll be travelling around the country, and helping to educate kids about the roles they can play in safeguarding the future.

So being a doctor and a Gladiator, you’re quite uniquely poised to set an example for healthy and eco-friendly living. Are you going to integrate these roles more in the future?

Yes definitely. Being a doctor, a Gladiator and a spokesperson for health and green issues are all roles that complement each other well. A huge part of a doctor’s job is promoting fitness and healthy living to patients, so being a Gladiator gives me a chance to do that more effectively, especially where children are concerned. And I’m also passionate about promoting this message to young women, who are influenced so much by pressures to become ‘size zero’. I want to show them that eating well and keeping fit is essential for staying healthy, regardless of what your shape is.

Tune in to Sky One on Saturdays at 5pm to see Zoe in action on Gladiators.

To find out more about the show, visit Sky's website or the Gladiators Zone.