About me

Movement as medicine: Growing up in the countryside and with an active family, as a child I was lucky to spend lots of time moving outdoors in nature. As an adult, I was active and living in London I learned to rock climb and boulder at a local centre, and got out of the city and into nature for hiking when I had the chance. I’ve long understood how it helps me feel better in body and mind. But as an adult, I developed an unexplained chronic pain condition, causing constant pain down my left side. The pain had a big impact on how I felt, and movement gained a new meaning. Offered medication to manage it, I wanted to know that I’d tried all I could first. I was lucky to see a physiotherapist who told me running had helped some people with this condition. I was even luckier that when I took up running again, it worked for me. Over the coming weeks of running, for the first time in 3 years the pain reduced, eventually to nothing. I ran, the pain stayed away and I felt grateful to have found to this life-changing fix.

Getting stronger: My growing love of running led Dan, my husband, to get me some coaching for Christmas one year. I met Tony Felix for the first time - I turned up expecting to run, and he was there with dumbbells for me. I had never before considered strength training, but it was exactly what I needed. With Tony’s expert guidance I gained strength and experienced so many benefits. My posture improved, back pain from scoliosis reduced, strength and fitness increased. I felt more capable and my confidence and happiness grew - it was transformative.  

Movement, nature, community: I came to realise the benefits of the powerful combination of movement, nature and community to feel good and get strong. I wanted to offer my own movement training for people that results in them feeling good, building more active lives and saying yes to adventure. Many years and qualifications later I love helping others. And now in my 40s I move better and am stronger than before in my life, and am still improving.

Sharing the joy: I love working with people who commit to getting stronger and more capable. I love it when people I train tell me they feel stronger and have more confidence in their bodies. As a result they might try a new sport or activity, or hike or cycle a harder route than before. Some people tell me they get to be a kid again in my training, doing movements that they haven’t done for decades - I like to make opportunities to be playful. I love it when training and being stronger broadens what we can do outside of training sessions, giving new opportunities for ways to enjoy life. This kind of change happens over months, and sometimes years rather than weeks - it’s a lifelong change with lifelong benefits. 

My training & qualifications

I love to learn about all things movement, whether through formal qualifications or following thought leaders. I’m always learning new approaches, and expanding my own practice and teaching to include these. Below are some of the courses I’ve completed in recent years and the membership bodies I belong to.

Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor

I am a Level 3 Personal Trainer and Level 2 Group Fitness Instructor. The EU equivalent is the Level 4 EQF Personal Trainer (EREPS). Covers anatomy and physiology for exercise, principles of exercise for fitness & health, programming and coaching, advanced resistance training, nutrition, and behaviour change coaching.

MovNat - Natural Movement - Certified Trainer, Level 1

Natural movements are those that our ancestors required daily for survival, such as crawling, jumping, running, balancing, climbing, throwing, lifting, carrying and vaulting. Training is playful as we explore and connect with our environment and those around us, and skills-based, working our brains and our bodies. It’s a joyful way to get fit and strong. These principles are woven into all of my training.

NASM Behaviour Change Specialist

Creating authentic, long-lasting change in the lives of clients. Includes tactics such as effective goal setting, behaviour change techniques, cognitive behaviour therapy techniques, effective imagery, interpersonal and social influences on behaviour change.

Spartan SGX Coach, Level 1

Periodised programming for obstacle course races, functional bodyweight training, obstacle techniques, race day preparation, lifestyle recommendations.

Dr Stacy Sims: 'Women Are Not Small Men'

Science-based strategies to help active women of any age reach their physical potential. Working with rather than against hormonal changes - short and long-term.

UK and EU Register of Exercise Professionals membership (REPS and EREPS)

The Register of Exercise Professionals (REPS) and European Register of Exercise Professionals (EREPS) are independent registers of instructors, trainers and teachers working in the fitness and physical activity sector in the UK and Europe respectively. These regulatory bodies for the fitness industry safeguard anyone using the services of exercise or fitness professionals.

UK CIMSPA membership

The Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity - the professional development body for the UK's sport and physical activity sector, tasked with ensuring high standards of practice.