Lifestyle
2024
Interview by Loreta Sindi

Loreta Sindi interviews trainer Annmari Eespäev aka Mannavaht–a nickname that translates to a classic Estonian dessert known for its light and fluffy texture. Mannavaht (the trainer) is like a force of nature, who slips from role to role with her six pack flashing, while balancing everything with the precision of a balance board. We talk about her many hats, gym culture, her love for all forms of movement and more! Enjoy. 

How are you?

I'm doing well, thank you for asking! The year 2024 has been the wildest year of my life, but since I'm present both mentally and physically, I think I can keep up with the 87 gears this year has brought. I’m thrilled to be doing what I love—training in my own studio, Mannavaht Studio, in Tallinn's Telliskivi district, and organising retreats both in Estonia and abroad with amazing people. I learn so much from them, and, as it turns out, I give back even more.I'm focused on new projects and my daily routine, and I'm enjoying living life to the fullest!

Where did your love for fitness and movement begin?


As a child, I attended Erki Nool's (Estonian decathlete and Olympic Gold medalist) athletics school for years and sprinted quite fast at 200m and 600m. Then, at 14, I became a woman, and when I look at old photos, I think, oh my God, I looked like a sausage!

I stopped intense sports and went to study at Noarootsi School, treating sports more as a hobby. While living in London and working as an intensive care nurse, I fell back in love with training. Close to my place was the coolest fitness club, BLOK, and I went there on every day off, often doing 2-3 workouts back-to-back if I wasn’t working. I met very inspiring trainers there, the vibe was amazing, the music was great, and I decided I didn’t want to just attend workouts anymore — I had it all in me, and I wanted to become a trainer. So I went to school in London and studied to become a personal and group trainer. My love for fitness and movement grew out of a lifestyle where movement helped me feel more energetic, healthier, and alive. It wasn’t always there, but over time I began to understand how physical activity affects my well-being. And that movement is my energy. I have a lot of energy, partly because I let it flow through my body. I’m not the kind of fitness addict who has to push for 2 hours every day; I also take rest days, but I feel best when I've done a tough HIIT workout at my studio with my favourite women, hit the sauna, and feel my body and mind thank me. AMEN! In my perfect world, this is then followed by preparing a cozy dinner at home for my family, often pasta, and eating  around 9 p.m.

I know that before becoming a trainer, you worked as a nurse, so I see that the interest in human health has always been there. When did you work as a nurse? Can you describe that time in your life?

That time is very clear in my memory; I have plenty of colourful stories. It was a very useful and enriching time in my life. I really enjoyed and still enjoy working with people. When I could ride my bike or run home in the evening, thinking, "Yay, we saved someone's life with the hospital team," it gave me a proud and meaningful feeling. Throughout my life, I chose to work in intensive care, which probably isn't a big surprise to those who know me. I started at Tartu University Hospital in paediatric intensive care, then worked in adult intensive care. I also spent three months volunteering in Kenya and travelled around the region for half a year (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Mozambique, South Africa). After that, I missed the sterile hospital environment and equipment that actually worked. I moved to London, to my sister’s place, and started working hard to get a job in intensive care. It was a tough and very tearful time, but I managed and worked as a freelance intensive care nurse at London's most prestigious private hospitals (The Harley Street Clinic, London Bridge Hospital) until I returned to Estonia.


But can you still imagine yourself working as a nurse? What would need to change or happen for that to become a reality?

Yes, I can actually. I have started additional studies so that one of my dreams, which I’ll keep to myself for now, may come true someday!

What kind of trainer are you?

Those who attend my classes say I'm crazy ... I think I’m bold, reliable, tough but soft — a 2-in-1, all or nothing. I don’t like doing the same thing over and over; I get bored quickly, so I offer various training styles — HIIT, animal flow, stretching, boxing, jump rope — and I want each class to feel like a celebration! If you’re going to work out, do it full on, even if it's a slow stretch. But training isn’t just about the workout — it’s also a lifestyle, nutrition, mindset, and I believe those who come to my classes or retreats come because they see a bit of themselves in me and feel at home. Yes, I work out hard, but I also eat pizza or ice cream at night and might drink red wine alongside. Right now, I’m not consuming alcohol at all. I do everything in moderation and feel good about it, and I’m in tune with my body, trying to listen to it and being incredibly thankful that I can move. And I'm grateful to everyone who joins my classes for their desire and ability to move and enjoy it. It may sound cliché and boring, but that’s the truth!


How do you approach clients who feel bored with the gym? What alternative forms of training do you offer?

I don’t approach anyone or push myself on them because I believe everything starts with the individual. I can’t force anyone to work out. The person has to want it themselves. What I can do is bring my best every time to create a great session and share the energy and spark that training gives me. I can offer support — I’m ready to run, swim, or cycle with you if that’s what works for you — me as your personal trainer. Movement isn’t just about the gym or group workouts. A group session is just one hour of your 24-hour day. If the rest of the time you're hunched over a computer, slumped on the couch, eating junk, and you drag yourself to a session hoping the trainer will turn you into a god or give you a six-pack, well, sorry, that’s not how it works.
I really enjoy hiking in nature, biking, skiing, snowboarding, and wakeboarding—whatever kind of movement it is, I love it! I recommend trying out different activities until you find the one you enjoy and can stick with. Routine and consistency are key words in achieving success and results.

Do you think gym culture has become too obsessive, focusing more on appearance than health?

I don't see that in my own studio, but from what I observe on Instagram, it's quite messed up, yeah. That kind of diet and workout load definitely isn't healthy, done just to achieve abs without filters or wider glutes that nobody actually needs. I also believe that if you don’t know how to train consciously at the gym, it’s better not to skip group classes where the training is well-thought-out and guided by the trainer, ensuring your whole body gets enough work in the short time you're there.

Can you make a living as a trainer?

Im alive, but what kind of life is this (joke)! Yes, I can. I believe you can make a living from any job if youre passionate and dedicated. But building your brand or business requires a lot of effort and drive. It's like a rollercoasterjust hold on and enjoy the ride!


You wear many hatsmother, wife, entrepreneur, trainer, retreat organizer the list goes on. Which of these is the most fulfilling?

All of the above, all at once! I find fulfilment in knowing I can juggle them all, sometimes better, sometimes not so great.


What is your personal training and nutrition routine? How do you keep yourself motivated, especially when you feel the need for variety?

I actively participate in my group workouts, and I believe that's one of my unique traits. I move at least five times a week, sometimes more than I should, but I take a rest day on Wednesday after my morning boxing and jump rope sessions and definitely one day on the weekend. I cook 90% of my meals myself and enjoy it almost as much as leading and doing workouts. I believe that homemade food is healthier than something sitting in a plastic container filled with unnecessary junk. The visual presentation of food is incredibly important to me, and I put effort into experimenting and stimulating my senses. I love to experiment with food and surprise women at my retreats, but I also have my signature dishes that I make more often. But again, I really love gummies!
No one needs to motivate me. I am my own motivation. With a capital M.
I'm honest with myself and, recently, even more best friend’s with my body. I push myself, but gently. If I feel mentally or physically drained, I rest. But if we’re talking daily numbers, I aim for at least 1 hour of active movement or burning a minimum of 900 calories according to my Apple Watch, though in reality, it’s much more. I sleep well and wake up early — usually at 6:25, sometimes at 5 — rested and ready for action!


Should a trainer be an inspiration to those they train? An ideal to strive for, showing how many abs you can get if you eat right and train properly?

Yes, they should. Knowledge can compensate somewhat, but even if we dont want to admit it, we judge a book by its cover.

Do you think people should include more yoga, meditation, or other mental practices in their workout routines?

Yes, definitely!

If you had any superpower, but it only worked on Mondays, what would it be?

If I did not seem crazy before, I might now, but I would travel to magical worlds in watermelon sugar (a very memorable read by Richard Brautigan), space, Alices Wonderland, etc.

You seem like someone who doesnt shy away from anything, someone who takes risks and dares to live! If needed, you build your own training studio, run an Ironman, go winter swimming, surf, do extreme triathlons in the mountains of Nepal this list could probably go on! Where does this courage and ... entrepreneurial spirit come from?

Thank you for the kind words. It comes from within me, from my life energy.

You're welcome! And what kind of attitude do you want to pass on to Kiara, your daughter?

I want to teach her to be brave, hardworking, and to do what she loves, regardless of what others think. To stay true to herself and be thankful and kind-hearted.

Lets talk about retreats. Did you attend any camps when you were younger? Is there a particular Mannavaht retreat that stands out to you? Any fun stories from those times?

I attended a lot of camps when I was younger (Erki Nool’s athletics camps and other children's camps), and I really enjoyed them! I met many cool people, played a lot of games, night raids, secret talks, camp shifts, etc. I’ve never really thought about it, but maybe my passion for organizing retreats stems from my childhood and my love for travelling. I have now organised more than 20 retreats/all-inclusive retreats both in Estonia and abroad, in 7 different countries.
While doing a retreat in Morocco, we went hiking and training in the sand dunes and swimming. When we returned, we found that one of our car’s tires was flat. Whether it was the bad road or deliberately punctured, we’ll never know. All the girls stared at the jack, and we opened YouTube to figure out how to change a tire. From behind a hill, we saw someone’s head appear. White and curly-haired. Then his body came into view, wearing a shirt with “SUPER MARIO” written on it in big letters. He helped us change the tire, and when we got to the other car, the same thing had happened to its tire, and he fixed that one too. Chicks in Morocco x Super Mario.


If some people have recently followed you on Instagram and are hesitating to join your training classes next season, lets clarify: are you no longer holding Mannavaht classes in Telliskivi next season?

Yes, that’s correct. This season (5th, by the way) will be the last in this form, but I will continue to organise retreats. You can find information about them on my Instagram and website www.annmari.co.uk.


What does next year hold for you?

Well see that!