My interest in health and fitness began at an early age. I was actively involved in various sports and developed a passion for football, playing and watching the game whenever I could. As I grew older, this interest evolved into a career, and for the past 12 years, I have thoroughly enjoyed working in the fitness industry.

At college I studied Sports Coaching and Health and Fitness, before going into employment working as a Fitness Trainer & Swim Teacher at a local leisure centre. I stayed in this job for 8 years picking up a number of qualifications and masses of experience, which enabled me to practise my skills and share my knowledge. In 2018 I decided to set up my fitness business- JHFitness, which consists of evening fitness classes within the local community, as well as dedicated Personal Training sessions. 

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 Living in the Peak District, I knew there were a lot of gyms around that could meet the needs of the ‘typical’ gym goer, and that there were plenty of opportunities for people to exercise outdoors, climbing and fell running etc, so I wanted and needed to offer something different. I realised that there was a significant amount of people who maybe lacked confidence to attend group fitness classes or who were self-conscious about walking into a gym environment and unsure of what to do when they got there. This knowledge led to developing 'At Home’ Personal Training sessions to run alongside my fitness classes. This meant that clients/members could feel more relaxed, as they established new fitness routines or returned to fitness after a break, because they were working out at home. It also took away the excuses – I was going to turn up for the session, so they would have to do it!! 

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In 2019 I began to miss one of the aspects of my previous job, and so I hired out the swimming pool at Chatsworth Health Club and set up private 1:1 & 2:1 swimming lessons. 

This was a great move, as many of my previous swimmers returned to me. Their parents knew how important it was for their children’s confidence to have a teacher they trusted and liked. I now also work 2 days a week in the Health Club at Chatsworth as a fitness instructor. It’s a great place to work, in the heart of the Peak District, and it’s good to be part of a fitness team again. 

There’s no getting away from it, 2020 & 2021 was not the years any of us expected, and although it was incredibly challenging, my drive and determination kept JHFitness going strong through the Covid19 pandemic. At the beginning of the first lockdown, I quickly switched all classes online -providing 10 sessions a week, and continuing small Personal Training groups.