Leigh-Ann's Story

I had only been working with Abi face to face for 6 months before I moved away (and now I do online coaching) but I initially wanted to work with a Personal Trainer as I came to the realisation that without someone to guide me and hold me accountable, I was never going to make the progress with my health and fitness that I really wanted. 

I’d joined gyms and completed workout challenges and programmes in the past, but I have never been able to create a habit that stuck. I also have Anxiety and Depression and I knew that developing a good exercise routine would help, but didn’t know how to go about creating one that accounted for the days when Depression made self care in any form very difficult. 

I contacted Abi because I was incredibly impressed with her client testimonials. She was one of the few trainers I found online that didn’t have a focus on aesthetics that made me uncomfortable and she worked with women who seemed like me - complete newbies to the gym and slightly terrified when they started! Her whole brand seemed welcoming, friendly and knowledgeable. Her website and social media answered a lot of the questions I had regarding progress tracking and focuses and when I met her for the first time she really put me at ease.

When I first started, I mostly just wanted to create a routine that would stick. I was a complete beginner and so wanted to learn the basics. I had no idea how to track my progress at the gym or what I should even be doing. My main goal was to introduce some structure to my health and fitness but ensure that structure was flexible enough to suit my needs.

If someone had told me in 2021 I would be a weekly gym goer for six months straight I would have laughed at them! Never mind being someone who was enthusiastic about their progress in the gym and wanted to keep learning. Abi has really helped me feel equipped with the knowledge to develop my level of fitness and create a lifestyle that involves prioritising my physical and mental health. 

I still feel very new to it all but the progress I’ve made in six months has really given me the confidence boost needed to keep going. It feels so good to know some of the lingo that previously went over my head, lift weights that would have sent me running before, and mostly just know that I can stick at something if I’m willing to put in the work and, super importantly, ask for help when I need it. 

I think anyone who says they never feel a little down about their body is probably not being completely truthful, but working with Abi has massively helped me when it comes to my complex relationship with my weight, body and health. Most of all, it’s reminded me how capable my body is when I trust it and what a privilege it is to have a body that works as well as mine does. 

I’ve genuinely had comments from friends, family and colleagues who say I stand a little straighter and just seem a little healthier and happier. Though I haven’t worked with Abi specifically on my nutrition, the conversations we’ve had during training and the way I feel after a good workout has definitely impacted how I approach my food choices. It’s something I’m excited to continue into the future. 

I’ll be honest, Abi has surprised me. I think I was guilty of having an idea in my head about what a Personal Trainer would be like and how they would approach things that definitely came from my own body insecurities.She always made me feel relaxed and comfortable and listened to every concern and question. She never pushed me harder than was appropriate but knew exactly how to push me to give the best I had. I was also surprised how willing she was to offer advice and general understanding regarding the mind-body connection and how physical exercise can massively impact mental health, and most importantly, not in a dismissive or insensitive way. The openness, flexibility and warmth of the whole process definitely surprised me in the best way.

Accountability is key for me to help me stay motivated. Having someone to check in with and talk to about my progress has been incredibly valuable. I think being able to see my progress is also incredibly important. Having an understanding of what I’m working towards and where I’ve come from really keeps me on track. 

One of the best things about being coached by Abi is feeling supported and cheered on throughout the journey. Even as how we work together has changed Abi has been super encouraging and helpful. I know that if I fall off the wagon or veer off track, I have someone to help steer me in the right direction again and I’m very grateful for that.