I firmly believe that age, illness or injury should not be barriers to exercise. Whatever your starting point, exercise will help develop and maintain the fitness required to live a healthy, happy, independent life.
My lifelong sporting passion running, started as a teenager when I competed in middle distance events with Birchfield Harriers. In my twenties I developed a long-term chronic illness and was unable to exercise due to severe muscle wastage, recurrent soft tissue injuries and extreme fatigue. This taught me many lessons on how to recover and return to exercise. I, like many people, did not always get this right.
My slow 15-year return to fitness was greatly assisted by 2 brilliant personal trainers who guided and encouraged me back to health. In 2022 at the age of 57, I ran my first marathon and ultra-marathon along with completing my first ever unassisted chin up, all of which I thought impossible.
When my personal trainer, Simon, suggested I consider becoming a PT I recognised that my personal struggle combined with my 30 years’ experience as a nurse could help others on their journey to improved fitness.
As a level 2 fitness instructor and Level 3 Personal Trainer I am ready to help you if you are ready to make a change. Let me help you become fitter and stronger, move better, feel great again and have fun. Don’t rule out gym strengthening and conditioning work based on experiences or perceptions of large commercial gyms, SPFit is different and we may be able help you achieve your “impossible” or simply get you started on your first step of becoming healthier and fitter.
I am very grateful to Simon and the members in helping me progress my coaching skills, in an unusually supportive environment for the fitness industry. Together Simon and I hope to form a strong coaching partnership at SPFit to create a uniquely friendly and empathic atmosphere to help our existing and new members achieve the results they want, but most importantly leave the building with a smile on their face. Surely, given everything that is happening in the world currently, having fun and enjoying what we do is more important than ever.
Qualifications
- Level 2 Certificate in Gym Instructing
- Level 3 Personal Trainer
- Leadership in running fitness
Previous job
Registered General Nurse
Guilty pleasure
A sociable dinner with friends, a glass of good wine and a ration of chocolate every evening.
Favourite film
The Italian Job
Something you may not know about me
Ask me what I specialised in as a nurse!
Favourite exercise
I am currently working hard and enjoying improving my barbell back squat
Goal for 2023
Moving from Birmingham to Sherborne gave me easier access to countryside and trail running instead of road and track. The beautiful Dorset countryside opened my eyes to the freedom and pleasure of long-distance trail running. Having only ever run half marathon road races I set myself a goal of completing a trail marathon and then an ultra-marathon.
I have achieved both goals finishing the Snowdonia and then the Exmoor Trail Marathons in July 2022 followed by my first ultra-marathon, the Dartmoor Crossing a month later.
In 2023 I am developing my trail running fitness and skills and hope to complete the Bob Graham Round alongside Simon.
I am currently focused on completing my level 3 PT qualification, building on the level 2 knowlege and skill base, to share with SPFit members. Alongside this I am continuing to work on my own strength goals of performing my first unassisted pull up and front squatting 50kg.