2019 – what a year!

So it’s that time when I do a blog about my year! It has been an interesting year and one that started not how I wanted! On the 28th Dec 2018, whilst having a work meeting, I stood up, turned and felt something go in my foot. I struggled to walk, and after driving home in tears, went up to A&E. After an X-ray I ended up breaking my 5th metatarsal, which meant no teaching for 3 months. This, in January, is not good for a fitness instructor! But it also made me realise what friends I can count on when I need help. The closest friends I thought would be the first to take me out and about, were the last – virtually 8 weeks after I broke my foot. The friends I never thought would be there were, and straight away.

When you honestly love your job and not being able to teach, it took part of me away, so when I could get back into teaching I found me again. It felt so good! My year only really got going in the summer after I had the all clear from the fracture clinic and signed off from physio, My highlights of the year are finding a new concept and getting trained in it. The response I’ve had from it has been absolutely amazing. I love RockBox and seriously cannot wait to get my teeth in to it, and to be asked by a sports therapist to teach it at his new health & wellness hub is the icing on the cake.

I was nominated in the national Diversity awards and seeing the lovely comments made about me, was so touching. I only have passion to get inactive people active no matter what. I not only got nominated in the National community fitness awards but made it to the finals, which took place in Newcastle in November. I cannot remember a lot from the awards due to being in shock! The moment they said my name as the winner in equality & diversity instructor category, I just sat there in shock, then suddenly realised I had to get up on stage without face planting the floor! Once on stage, trying to hold it together and not cry, was the best moment. But then to top that moment, I was completely flabbergasted when they called me as 3rd runner up in female instructor of the year. Seriously, never ever did I imagine I would get anywhere in the most nominated category with the most finalists in. No one will know what that means as a disabled fitness instructor where most instructors in my area ignore me, or have no idea I can actually teach and am good at it! It was so great to share this moment with my mum and she even came to her first fitness event and now understands what I’m talking about when I say I’m going ……. and with so and so, as she has met them.