MY STORY……

As a teenager, it seemed I was destined to achieve sporting success. Gravitating towards sport from an early age, family members, friends and coaches would comment on my natural aptitude and on my drive to succeed. Motivated by this, and keen to stretch my abilities, I threw myself into my training regimes and went on to be selected both for Coventry City academy, and Oxford’s local school of excellence. I felt unstoppable – until things began to unravel. After being released by Coventry aged just 12, my confidence was shattered, and this feeling of failure radiated into every facet of my life. Disruptive behaviour at school resulted in my expulsion at 15, and shortly after, I fell into bad company. A combination of alcohol and drug abuse served to suspend me in a depressing cycle of self sabotage as I struggled to find a way forward. I remember looking in the mirror each morning, reflecting on how far I was from where I wanted to be. At war with the person looking back at me, I felt I had let myself down at every opportunity and I had no idea how to begin to turn the tide. 

One day however, something changed. I decided enough was enough and it was time to take charge. I promised myself that I was going to do whatever it took to reach my potential and find the personal fulfilment I had been missing so badly. It began with removing myself from the toxic company who had no interest in my wellbeing. I stopped putting things in my body that were perpetuating my misery. I kept faithful to a regular seep cycle, and before long, my entire outlook and mentality began to transform. My confidence grew and I started to like myself again. I even joined the local football club – relishing the chance to return to the sport I had loved so much. 

After being told I wasn’t currently good enough for first team selection, this lit a fire inside me. It was the carrot I needed to surpass my own expectations and I dug deep to rise to the challenge. I drilled before training, and long after the rest of the team had left. I gave my body the nutrition and rest to fully recover between training sessions, and after months of relentless hard work my dedication was rewarded with a coveted place on the team. Now 21 years old, I felt empowered. I knew my own mind and that my future was entirely in my own hands. Spurred on by my own success, I realised that guiding others towards their own fitness goals would be something I would thoroughly enjoy. I paved the way for this new chapter by qualifying as a Level 3 Personal Trainer.  Since then, I have spent 11 years designing and delivering bespoke training and nutrition programs to clients ranging from the professional athlete, to those who are engaging in structured training for the first time. For those who are just beginning their fitness journey, simply walking across the threshold of a gym can require enormous courage. Building confidence and eliminating the ‘imposter syndrome’ lies at the core of the ‘Athlete and You’ program. You will surpass your own expectations and feel comfortable and at home in the gym, as together we unleash the athlete inside!

WHAT SETS ME APART FROM OTHER COACHES?