How much do you really know about your colleagues? This month, we're getting the lowdown on Lara Jones, Performance Lifestyle Practitioner, and Ileana Bonnet, Marketing & Branding Lead.
Would you like to take part in a future edition? If so, please get in touch with amy.crane@sport.wales.
Lara Jones
What have you read, watched, or listened to recently that you’d recommend? Everything Was Beautiful, and Nothing Hurt by Ben Reeves. A book about meaning, mortality and learning to embrace the fact that life is inevitably messy and uncertain. It was a good reminder to appreciate what’s in front of us.
Who would you want to play you in a film of your life? Genuinely, I have absolutely no idea! I think I’d be more flattered that someone had even considered making a film of my life than who they’d cast to play me.
What’s a hobby you’ve always wanted to try but haven’t yet? I’d love to get my PADI Scuba Diving certification. I was supposed to do it when I was in Koh Tao, Thailand, but the visibility wasn’t great, so it wasn’t meant to be. Hopefully another time soon!
List two things that annoy you… People who pronounce espresso as ‘expresso’, and Strava finishing my run on 0.99 km or 0.01 km. Infuriating.
What animal would you choose to be? A retired greyhound. My family has rescued five over the years, and they’ve perfected the most peaceful, relaxed lifestyle imaginable. Woodland walks, lots of sleeping and absolutely no unnecessary rushing. I aspire to their lifestyle.
What advice would you give yourself 10 years ago? Put yourself in situations that make you uncomfortable, because so much growth and learning happens there. The things that scare you are often the things that teach you the most.
You get to invite famous people (dead or alive) to join you for dinner – who are you asking? Tom Hanks - pure nostalgia, and I feel like he’d have some brilliant stories. Brandon Flowers - I’m a huge Killers fan. Ludovico Einaudi - my favourite classical composer, and I imagine the conversation would be fascinating.
What or who were you obsessed with growing up? Forensic anthropology, bizarrely. I had a life-size skeleton and became obsessed with learning all the bones in the body. I’d memorise different fracture patterns, injuries and diseases, and how they would present on the skeletal system. Looking back, it was definitely a slightly unusual obsession!
Happiness is… Realising the café loyalty card you’ve been carrying around for months is finally full. The coffee somehow tastes significantly better when it’s free (ideally accompanied by a good book).
Guilty pleasure? Peanut butter with dark chocolate. The combination is unbeatable.
Tell us something about yourself that you’re really proud of. I think I’ve become quite good at saying yes to the things that scare me. Whether that’s taking a one-way ticket to the other side of the world alone, or saying yes to new opportunities in my career, I’m proud that I’ve learned to lean into the uncertainty.
What was your first job? Working in an independent Welsh café called Bodlon (probably where my long-term relationship with coffee began!).
If you could cameo in a TV show which one would you pick? Does The Great British Bake Off count? I’d love to visit the tent. It just looks so wholesome!
If you could be one sports star for a day, who would you be? Probably a trail runner like Courtney Dauwalter, so I’d have an excuse to spend the day running around some incredible mountains.
If you could live in any movie universe, which one would it be and why? I’m not particularly into sci-fi, so I’d probably choose Mamma Mia! A Greek island, sunshine, music... it sounds pretty ideal to me.
How long have you worked at Sport Wales? Since mid-April 2026, so I’m coming up to six months now.
Ileana Bonnet
What have you read, watched, or listened to recently that you’d recommend? I haven’t finished it yet, but I’m reading the Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. It’s changing my perspective on modern digital culture!
Who would you want to play you in a film of your life? Keira Knightley.
What’s a hobby you’ve always wanted to try but haven’t yet? Kiteboarding – as close as I’ll get to flying!
List two things that annoy you… When people don’t replace the toothpaste tube as soon as it’s an effort to get the paste out and when people lick their fingers after food.
What animal would you choose to be? A falcon – you’d see some pretty beautiful sunsets and get to the tops of mountains effortlessly.
What advice would you give yourself 10 years ago? Don’t limit yourself based on what you think you should do, do what feels right and follow your intuition.
You get to invite famous people (dead or alive) to join you for dinner – who are you asking? Nirmal Purja, Queen Elizabeth, Jeremy Clarkson and David Attenborough.
What or who were you obsessed with growing up? I don’t think I really obsess over anything, not for long enough anyway – but I did enjoy playing music and gigging.
Happiness is… Blue sky, all the right gear, trail run that balances climbing, views and distance with elite snacks – no home time.
Guilty pleasure? Homemade choc chip cookies – even better with melted kinder bar on top!
Tell us something about yourself that you’re really proud of. Being a mum, or more so: my little girl – she’s so fun to be around and I love being there for her as she grows up.
What was your first job? Shop floor in the local farm shop – there were no seats at the tills or heating in the shop so I was bone cold from October to April!
If you could cameo in a TV show which one would you pick? The Gentlemen.
If you could be one sports star for a day, who would you be? Hannah Mills – I’d love to be a professional sailor and travel the world to all the best spots. Get me on an F50!
If you could live in any movie universe, which one would it be and why? Avatar all the way! The scenery alone, but the sense of community and flying on the Ikrans too.
How long have you worked at Sport Wales? 4 years next month.