Ellie Goulding on the Badass Workout That's Changed Her Life, Drake, and Her Secret Talent

"It's a great feeling to know that you don't have to have a bloke around to protect you."

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Ellie Goulding Boxing
(Image credit: Sevda Albers)

Brit songstress Ellie Goulding, 28, doesn't pull punches in the studio—see: her new album Delirium—or in the ring. Here, she lets loose on the workout that builds her up—and keeps her grounded.

Eye of the Tiger: "Boxing is very animalistic, and there's a lot of adrenaline in it. It has helped my stamina. When I'm onstage, I feel like I could go on forever." 

Float Like a Butterfly: "Without wanting to use that clichéd word, I feel empowered. I've got the power to defend myself. It's a great feeling to know that you don't have to have a bloke around to protect you."

Sting Like a Bee: "Because I'm left-handed, I have a pretty good left jab, but then I did this uppercut the other day that was just insane. My strength is speed. I got it from running around onstage!" 

Mind Games: "My head is all over the place all the time, and it's good because I need that to write songs. But training is the one thing I can rely on that will keep me fairly sane." 

Fight Song: "My trainer Faisal Abdalla motivates me with music. If Drake comes on, I'm going to start killing it." 

Time Out: "I've been told I should spar and train for real because I seem to have a bit of a talent for it—but I'd rather go on tour with my face intact!" 

Undefeated Champ: "If someone brings in chocolate, I'm not going to deny myself. What works for me is to have everything in moderation. There's always room for improvement. I think, 'Oh, I could have a smaller waist or a bigger butt'...But I do what I can, and I do all right."

This article appears in the November issue of Marie Claire, on newsstands now. 

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