My Journey To Being A Personal Trainer
If I am being honest, I never really knew what I wanted to do when I ‘grew up’, it always seemed something I could figure out later on. I knew I wanted to be a mother but, really, that was about it!
I loved being creative so followed my heart and trained as a graphic designer, graduated and got a job but, after the ‘90s recession hit, I was made redundant and job prospects began to dwindle. This was not helped by the lack of belief I had in myself (something that exercise has helped solve in the past years) and, so, I bounced around a few jobs, working in hotels and banks, until I left to be a full time mum when my son came along.
I LOVED being a mum. I volunteered at the kids school, worked with special needs children when the opportunity arose and threw myself into everything that allowed me to help kids, my own or otherwise!
As the kids grew up and began to become independent and start their own careers, I began to feel a bit left behind. I wanted to have a job! I decided to set up my own Social Media business (I mean, that’s where we all spend most of our time anyway, right?) and later worked in-house for a kitchen company. The corporate world, however, didn’t seem to fit quite right with me - I much preferred helping others and felt like I had neglected that side of myself! After stress and one thing after another I simply couldn’t do it anymore and I broke. After a year of recovery, giving myself time to think about what I really wanted to do now I was ‘grown up’, I realised I wanted to make a difference. Through it all, the one thing that helped me get back up on my feet was my own personal training. Then it hit me. I want to do what my personal trainer has done for me (see here about my fitness journey). I wanted to be a personal trainer! I took a part-time job as an activities co-ordinator in a care home, working with older individuals and seeing first-hand the impact a more active, healthy lifestyle can have on you later in life. On the days I wasn’t working I took up personal training courses so I could become qualified enough to start my own business and here I am, finally doing something that I love, that feels right!
Okay, I’m a realist, when I had this image I was reaching 50 and knew I wouldn’t be the person young people trying to build huge muscles in the gym would want to train them… but that didn’t matter to me. I wanted, and still want, to help people that feel uncomfortable in the gym, exercising and, ultimately, in themselves. I want to help people find something they love, that gives them joy, but also makes them healthy and happy.
It’s important to acknowledge that if the gym isn’t for you, then don’t go! There’s other ways of getting healthier, fitter and stronger! This doesn’t mean you have to do it alone though! A good personal trainer can offer guided health and fitness in any environment and be creative with the space and equipment that they have available. They can work with you and provide suggestions for working out with others too. It’s all about finding what works for you and running with it!
And that’s where I come in! That’s me - I’m that personal trainer!
I can help you achieve your goals in a way that works for you.
If this sounds like a bit of you, feel free to contact me to have a natter! I am more than happy to talk through anything in more detail and give you the time you deserve to help you become healthier, fitter and happier in yourself!