Barriers to exercise: an apology

A recent article in Stylist hit me with a thump, and it’s time to say that I’m sincerely sorry. The publication posted a “beginners guide to exercise” and I read it shaking my head at the realisation of how wrong some advice I’ve previously shared is. The item I’m specifically referencing is at the bottom …

Mindful self-compassion: my deep dive weekend

I can’t quite believe that I finally attended this course. Booked way back in the depths of 2019 (remember it? “PPE” was a term few of us used; vaccines were only hotly-debated for the under 12s; we thought nothing of violently exhaling over a burning cake that we were about to share…), and understandably postponed …

I’ve hit my goal weight – now what?

Firstly: fairly obviously, this post is going to discuss weight loss. If that’s something which isn’t a safe topic for you, or something you disagree with, please feel free to stop here… Whether weight or fat loss is the right thing to aim for or not is not the topic of today’s post – this …

Three easy ways to take care of your pelvic floor… and one thing to avoid

Big news: we all have a pelvic floor. Every single one of us. And having a strong and healthy pelvic floor isn’t just important for people who have been through pregnancy and/or birth. It’s important for everyone. Yep, that’s right – you need to work on yours too. In case you missed the news, the …

Super Surgeons – the patient perspective

If it weren’t for my surgeon at the Royal Marsden, I wouldn’t be here. And I don’t mean that in a fatalistic sense – my tumour probably wasn’t going to kill me – but a more philosophical one; my experience with cancer is what pushed me to become a personal trainer, and inspired me to …

World Cancer Day 2022: “Moving Through Cancer” review

“Moving Through Cancer” by Dr Kathryn Schmitz has been written with cancer patients and their caregivers in mind. The following review reflects my honest thoughts, having paid for and read the book recently. Prior to reading the book, I didn’t realise that it has been written from the dual perspective of Kathryn being both a …

Overcoming barriers to confidence in the gym

I recently asked my Instagram followers what questions they had about gaining confidence in the gym. One of my favourites was: “All the men. How to own it when it’s you and a load of men.” And here are my ideas (as someone who’s tried a variety of strategies during the last 5 years)… I …

Exercising whilst on cancer treatment

Most people are surprised to learn that exercising on cancer treatment isn’t just acceptable, but increasingly encouraged. The benefits of exercise that are available to everyone are also applicable to cancer patients and, generally speaking, providing you feel well and have some energy, exercise is absolutely fine.  There are, as always, some exceptions, and someone …

Three things you should never eat 

Anything you’re allergic to or intolerant of Anything that you’re ethically or morally opposed to consuming Anything that you don’t like And that’s it! No foods are inherently good or bad for you. Believing that can be difficult thanks to conditioning from diet culture or our upbringing, but it is true. The only things to …

What the professionals know about motivation, and how you can use it too 

I was scrolling through TikTok when a video by US rugby player and Olympian, Ilona Maher caught my attention. She made a name for herself during the Tokyo Games by using the platform expertly to give an insight to her personality and life as an athlete and, since then, has continued to share mostly comedic …