What a year 2017 has been for me ….. and my God has it whizzed by…… 
It started off with a bang. Great Clubbercise and Zumba classes, and I became the first disabled fitness presenter. I was working for seated Sosa at the time and loved presenting at IFS, MOVE IT and Ribby Hall (project mayhem weekender)! I will always be thankful to Katy for giving me that opportunity. 

Next was Elevate with Instructability. I always love doing stuff for them as I wouldn’t be where I am today with out them. I loved being up with my two Instructability guys, Gaz and Paul. Two fab friends I have met through Instructability. 

While being made redundant from one job, I have had time to concentrated on my disability sports coach role, which I love. Love the clients and being able to enhance their lives through the power of fitness and sport. 
I passed my Level 1 Boccia coaching qualification, which was very interesting, and I have started to work on the trampoline sessions we have. Even though I cannot stand up and bounce myself, I have come a long way in learning how to bounce sat down, on my back and on my hands and knees. This means I still can rebound the clients at work that need rebounding. It has been beneficial for me in more ways than I thought. The main one being a good core workout and the other being that I have lost 3kg in weight since I started on the sessions. 
My gym clients have gone from strength to strength, and smashing their targets. I have been very fortunate to have another instructor, also called Sam, start working with me on the sessions. We not only have the same outlook on working with the clients, but we get on like a house on fire too. Sam has also been helping me work with equipment that I thought to be impossible due to my own disabilities.

Working with disabled clients of any age is challenging, but hugely rewarding. It’s all about them gaining your trust and you respecting their wishes…. 

I had the opportunity to work with my mentor Mel Bridger for a year, Not only working with her but she helped me rebrand my business and advised me on how to increase my classes. Since working with her, my classes have doubled. I’m busier than ever. Mel brought out her own fitness routine and I was lucky enough to be on the first ever Beatz training course. Now I’m trying to work out where I can fit it into my already hectic timetable. I would also hope to work with Mel again soon in some way or another. 

What an amazing weekend I had in July (in London). The Zumba Academy was so much fun, but as always the highlight was seeing Beto, the guy I have admired for so long and still do. I was lucky enough to meet Steve Boadt – a Zumba ZES trainer – he is such an amazing guy! To top off an amazing weekend, I was on stage in the evening at the after party doing a seated routine. I’m still smiling at having the honour – even more so when I saw Beto standing at the side of the stage and so close to me. The Zumba Academy is my ‘me time’ and I love going. It’s where I de-stress and let my hair down! Such great company this year – thank you ladies!! Having a drink with Beto – one word – priceless. Such a shame there isn’t going to be one in 2018 in the U.K. 

 
Following on from the Zumba theme, I was taken on to do my 3rd term as a ZCOM volunteer for Zumba which I love doing. Zumba is a big passion of mine and I love it, I have always said I do not know where I would be today without it. 
I continue to run my Zumba Gold SEN classes in schools, and the kids absolutely love it. Really looking forward to joining them at a dance festival in 2018 doing Zumba! Cannot wait. 

Now for the awards that I was very lucky to be nominated and shortlisted for. In the Project Mayhem Community Fitness Awards, I was nominated and short listed in the ‘Equality & Diversity Instructor’ category, and the ‘Unsung Hero’ award. For the first time, a disabled fitness presenter was shortlisted in ‘Presenter of the Year’. Even though I did not win, it is a huge honour for me to be nominated and secondly shortlisted. Especially the Presenter of the Year where there is a massive shortage of disabled fitness presenters. Why should I have different dreams to everyone else, just because I have a disability?
A new venture for me this year was teaching Veraflow, and I have finally found my teaching style with it, and I love it. It has certainly helped with my cerebral palsy, and my ladies are feeling the benefits too. Some with back and knee issues and they have all felt a difference. 
I continue to support Clubbercise instructors on how to engage disabled clients in their classes, and hope to do more with them in 2018.

I did a Clubbathon earlier in the year for work to raise money for the dogs trust, thank you to everyone that came and for raising £180 for them. 

As a disability fitness specialist I am available to all types of fitness businesses, and help you be more inclusive, help redesign gym layouts with disabled clients in mind, and even help group fitness brands to make their brand / classes fully inclusive. I am now openly looking for more businesses to work with. So please get in-touch if I can help.
As well as continuing to be an EMD Ambassador (Exercise, Move, Dance), and currently taking part in a ‘Feel For’ project with them, I have also been taken on as an ‘Just Strong’ Ambassador. The brands ethos is fitness clothing for all, regardless of size, ability etc., well I fit in with the brands ethos. 
I have been working on something this year which I am hoping to reveal in 2018. Something I should have done a while ago but never had the confidence to do but now do. But you will have to wait and see what that will be…..
Thank you to everyone that has supported me this past year – you know who you are – not just professionally, but personally too. I have to thank my amazing managers at work. I am so lucky to have such good managers and fellow coaches that are also friends too. Thank you for continuing to believe in me …. and my knowledge…..
To all my ladies that attend my classes – thank you. Without you I would not be able to do a job I love so much. 

Here is to 2018. Always dream big and don’t be afraid to make those dreams a reality.