Top 60 A. J. Odudu Quotes

Like anything in life, nothing is guaranteed but I’m certainly hopeful of the positive change that could come from the Black To Front Project.

Variety works for me and the reason I’ve been able to maintain a certain level of fitness is because when I get bored I just admit I’m bored, then I switch it up.

One of the great things about running is that you don’t need fancy clothing or expensive equipment to get started. All you need is a good pair of trainers that are right for you, usually with good grip on the sole and one’s that are comfortable for you to wear.

I realised I owned eight pink suits, which I did not need.

I’m thrilled to be part of Channel 4’s Black to Front – which quite rightly gives a platform to deserving Black British TV talent across our industry, both on and off-screen.

I don’t want to have to kneel down to my husband, I don’t want to be submissive.

My skincare regime in the evening really helps me relax, unwind and get ready for a decent night’s kip.

My mum used to take me and my younger sister to work with her. She said: ‘You don’t want to be a cleaner like me.’ We worked as cleaners before we went to uni to save up money so we always had a strong work ethic.

2020 is not the year for my love life, sadly.

Running and pilates work hand-in-hand together, and to get a good sweat on, boxing is a great choice.

When I spoke to pupils at Sydenham School in London, I was shocked and saddened to hear some of the teenage girls say they felt pursuing a career in television was not even worth the effort as a Black woman.

I think it’s really important to embrace what’s different about yourself.

I’ve been in Nigeria myself personally alone when elections have been going on and it was a bit ropey.

I love bright shades because they’re just so uplifting. They boost your energy and mood.

The highs of having a big family were that there was always someone to play with and you get loads of birthday presents. The lows were sharing the bathroom.

Masterclass.com is my favourite place to learn new skills.

The biggest obstacle when I was younger was geographical. I was living in Blackburn and the ITV and BBC studios were in London, and I thought: ‘How do I get there? I need to be there.’

I have a shower first thing in the morning and I’ve got an array of products I like to alternate using depending on my mood!

Being born and raised in Blackburn, it was difficult for me to even visualise how I get to London to embark on a career in broadcasting and TV.

There’s always a way where we knock ourselves back down. It’s the culture that we’ve been born into.

On days when I must wear a full face of makeup I’m always careful to take it all off at night!

The first thing I do in the morning is run up to Greenwich Park and see the views of London, it’s what keeps me motivated… though sometimes it gets too cold and starts raining.

I love the beach.

My motto is never let anyone dull your shine.

I’m so excited about ‘Cooking With The Stars,’ what an amazing opportunity to actually learn how to cook properly. When I got asked to do it I just thought, ‘I can cook, I can do this,’ and then I got put with a professional chef and realised quickly that actually I’m not a cook.

I really just hope people feel able to achieve because of society, and not in spite of it, and I hope it’s not so much of a battle as it was for me.

I have experienced first-hand what a confidence boost can do, for my morale, spirit and belief in myself. So to be able to pass it on to one person is brilliant, but to help thousands of people is incredible.

If you are filled with resentment, try letting that feeling come and then let that feeling go.

Running a marathon is appealing to runners for many reasons. It’s epic! A real test for your mind and body and a challenge that truly fills you with complete elation when you cross the finish line. But it is in no way a trivial undertaking.

Pilates is great for stretching and building core strength, which is vital when it comes to getting the most out of your runs.

I just think we need to keep having open, honest, and encouraging conversations to ensure people are represented across all industries including our TV screens when it comes to diversity.

I’m very much a get up and go kind of girl. So just the one alarm for me, never hit snooze!

My parents have a very unconventional arrangement but they are still together and married, my dad lives in London and my mum lives in Blackburn. So they have these honeymoon periods every few months and it’s just jokes.

Running is endorphin inducing and will power your day.

People who are exercising to lose weight often try cutting out carbs, but that’s when you need them the most. Don’t you dare put down the sweet potato!

Excessive eating and lack of exercise are to blame for weight gain, not carbohydrates.

In Blackburn where I grew up, there was no other black children.

When people are busy, fitness and working out are the first things that people stop doing so we’ve got to be mindful of making time to do it.

Being different means being unique and that’s what makes the world and exciting place to be in.

Post-workout smoothies are good for my body, an espresso martini is good for my soul.

If you’re lucky enough to have a Black friend who has tolerated your racist parents while you turned a blind eye to the mistreatment they’ve suffered, maybe start by saying sorry, and then actually change the record. It is that change that could literally save lives, or at the very least, save friendships.

With the support of my family, my constant pillar of strength and protection, I have risen above hate with love and excellence, and a very strong sense of self.

Dressing up for the gym is just as important as dressing up for a night out! It makes you feel motivated; if you feel you look good, then you feel good.

We’re all human and we all need a rest now and again!

One thing I learned from being on ‘Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins’ is I don’t spend enough time switching off. I’m a workaholic, so when I’m not travelling or renovating my house, I try to find time to relax.

I jump at the opportunity to have fun and just be a bit silly.

I felt like a lot of odds were stacked against me to begin with, be it financial, racial, class, gender.

I tried to fit in by ironing my hair and gelling down the front bits.

I like to remember happy memories from my childhood growing up as a girl in Blackburn and while this mostly speaks true, there were also deeply dark and painful days when I experienced shocking racial and cultural bullying.

A sit-up is a very basic exercise that only puts strain on one small portion of your abs. If you want a washboard stomach you need to work all your core muscles.

Let’s face it: life, and the way skin reacts to it, can be unpredictable.

Being by the sea is a balm for the soul.

There’s only so much cold a Nigerian family can take.

Foods with a high-water content like cucumber, tomatoes and melon, getting plenty of sleep and learning not to sweat the small stuff to avoid stress were all important in keeping my skin calm.

A good night’s sleep makes a massive difference to my day.

When doing my own makeup, I tend to keep it simple for the most part and stick to my go-to products.

Carbohydrates have been unjustly vilified as the cause of weight gain.

Remember that, ultimately, it is your differences that make you who you are and distinguish you from the bland and humdrum, and without your differences you can never hope to truly be special.

My parents worked really hard – my mum was a cleaner and my dad a joiner – so holidays were rare for us.

I looked different, I had different skin, my hair was different, so I would get called names in school. It would always be reflective of what my hair and skin looked like.