It sounds like you’re as strict about rest as you are training. Talk to us about hormones – does your schedule allow for a regular menstrual cycle?

I definitely feel a lot more balanced these days. I lost my period for six months before the Toyko Olympics because I was restricting too heavily, wasn’t sleeping enough and felt extremely stressed. Now I’ve found more a balance between training, nutrition and stress management. If you have periods, your hormones are always in flux, but I’ve worked hard to manage symptoms and track my period. I’m a lot more vocal about my cycle with my coach too – letting him know when I’m due and adapting training if I’m struggling. I’m really happy that I’ve got a monthly cycle again because it means I’m healthy. It means I’m doing the right things.

So, talk us through the summer ahead – you’re competing in Paris, right?

I’ve got the Olympics and then I’m going to go on holiday to Italy with my mum, my two best friends and my brother. But I’m really excited about the Olympics and putting all my training to the test before having a proper break. It’s been a long season already, so being able to go and actually relax and recharge is going to be much needed.

I’m also going to start driving lessons when I come back in September and I’ll be driving my new Yaris hybrid, which is exciting! I’m a little bit nervous but I know that everyone says it’s a bit nerve-racking to begin with. Being able to drive is a bit like learning to swim – it’s a really useful skill that everyone should have. You never know when it might become useful in an emergency.

We can only imagine how nerve-racking it must be just before a competition. Do you have any special pre-contest routines?

I rely on my routine – I don’t like to change anything from what I usually do at home. I just do my everyday routine the night before. I always like to end my day with a Bible study and prayer, ensuring that my focus before I go to bed is God. God’s my focus when I wake up too; my faith bookends my day. It helps me remember that there are bigger things than competition and allows me to stay humble – whatever happens, it’s just another day. I want to do the best that I can with the energy and the knowledge that I have.

I tend to stay away from superstition because it doesn’t put me in the right mindset – it takes me away from what’s important.

“Having a monthly period means I’m doing the right things”: Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix on diving for gold