My story so far...

I can’t say exercise or health was always my first priority.

For many years I was a busy, freelance journalist, sitting at a desk to write all day, then by night or weekend, fully enjoying the press events and all-expenses-paid travel.

Rich food, copious booze, late nights, sedentary lifestyle. Considering I often wrote about health and nutrition, it was quite the contradiction.

I used to get terrible repetitive strain injury in my wrists and hands. I had gastric disorders from all the indulgence. Back pain from being at a desk. I would yo-yo between overweight and slim on silly diets.

After fifteen years in journalism, I decided on a change. Quite a big one. 

In 2017, I became a funeral celebrant.

It didn’t take long for me to learn that people in the North West of England die at fairly young ages. Often, in their 60s, and from diseases and conditions that were largely preventable.

It was the kick up the bum I needed to get fit. I started swimming initially, then joined fitness classes like Zumba, STEP, Pilates, and Spin.

I started hiking and walking with much more intention. In 2021, I completed the Ben Nevis hike - with ease!

When I twisted my ankle in STEP class in September 2022 and had a suspected foot fracture from a minor movement - I requested a DEXA scan to check my bones.

I was shocked. I was told I had osteopenia.

It was the catalyst for my journey into personal training, as I sought to get the right information on how to prevent my diagnosis becoming osteoporosis.

I never actually intended to be a PT, I just wanted to learn how to plan my own bone-strength programme.

But the result was that I began working in one-to-one personal training with clients. In that time, I gained further qualifications in Level 3 Exercise Referral and Level Low Back Pain Management through Exercise.

In February 2026, I quit one-to-one PT.

I decided I wanted to teach fitness classes and develop back care courses for organisations.

A DEXA scan follow-up in May 2026 changed my destiny again. 

I found out that I had completely reversed my condition - I now had normal bone density again!

Through my own structured strength training programme with a focus on lifestyle and nutrition I had actually turned my bone health around. For a woman in menopause, this was pretty astonishing.

So here I am now. I know what it feels like to get a diagnosis. I also know you can have the power to change it. That's what I want for everyone I work with: the right information, at the right time, so a health condition can be a turning point, not a life sentence.

If that's you, or someone you're responsible for, I'd love to help. Get in touch with me for more information.