I’ve joined the Arise & Thrive team as I step into midlife, at 42. Nothing has brought more value to my life than exercise and fitness. I’ve made a career out of it, gradually moving from marketing in my 20s into full-time, self-employed fitness instruction and PT in my early 30s. I knew I’d found my place working with people on life-enhancing fitness goals in a positive environment, rather than battling through the sedentary corporate world where I couldn’t thrive.
Navigating undiagnosed PMDD from adolescence is ultimately what led me to this brilliant fitness career. Trying to figure out how to survive adulthood, let alone thrive with this neuro-hormonal menstrual condition, resulted in fitness becoming the answer. PMDD was widely unknown medically until 2019, when the World Health Organisation formally recognised it in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), which came into effect globally in 2022. I finally received a diagnosis in my late 30s and felt validated, better able to accept, manage and occasionally even talk about it.
I’d also engineered my life around the flexibility of self-employment and access to exercise. Fitness has been my No. 1 source of guaranteed mental and physical strength throughout it all. I’ve never met anybody who hasn’t felt better after exercise. Movement is medicine. And the fact it can now be done online as well as in real life is a great thing… one of the only healthy things about screen time these days!
Real-life connection is at the heart of how I coach, whether in person or through a screen. I’m an in-person coach working from a shared PT studio alive with coaches and clients, and I also teach group fitness classes in local gyms. During lockdown, I honed my skills teaching live video workouts, and six years later I’m excited to pick those skills back up for the launch of the Arise & Thrive app, making fitness accessible wherever you are.
Strength, conditioning and mobility are my specialisms: no fad moves, just good form, flow and execution. Whether you’re at home, in a gym, in a park or anywhere you can follow along, my aim is for you to feel capable through the workout and awesome afterwards.
My own training is mostly strength and running, with HIIT, yoga, cycling and swimming sprinkled in. I’ve recently competed in Hyrox and triathlon because they combine multiple disciplines I enjoy – especially being outdoors. You’ll see I’ve filmed some of my videos outside too.
If, like me, your goal is to thrive rather than survive the stage of life you’re in, remember this: consistency is better than perfection. If you’re having an off day, week (or year!), coming back to exercise is important. Don’t let it drop off a cliff!
Simply press play on the workout that matches your energy today. I’ve been there, needing gentle encouragement and support some days and inspiring high energy on others. I’ll meet you there and show you the way.
