How did I get here?

A lot of people ask me how I became a Pilates instructor, and some people even ask if I'm bored with it yet!

Here's my story...

When I graduated with a degree in American Studies and Media Studies, I managed to find a roll in the tv industry - which is where I thought I wanted my career to be. Growing up in the Lake District I had very little experience of this sort of environment and it came as a bit of a shock (plus it was so badly paid!). Don't get me wrong, it was a job out of uni which I was really grateful for, it got me to London and it started me off on my path.

It wasn't an exciting job - working as a receptionist on the front desk, but I did meet Brian Blessed and Dermot O'Leary which were real highlights! After a while I was offered a job at Conran & Partners HQ, again on reception and again, pretty badly paid but it was a change of scene and another mark on my CV.

It was then that my life started to change and I moved to Bristol and got a role at a content agency called Specialist. Again, on reception and not very well paid, BUT this time the people I worked with made a massive difference to my life and it was a company that helped me to progress. I was promoted on to the Picture Desk, which I loved and worked with a great team, got to go on photoshoots was even in a couple of the publications. Then I became pregnant and decide to take a break to be a mum.

That's when my two girls came into my life - the two best girls I could have hoped for and they cotinue to amazine me every day. They're awesome!

After a bit of time off work I decided to go back and became an office manager for a web development company. It was good to get back into the adult world of work, but there was no work/life balance and I didn't feel right. Eventually, when my eldest started school I decided to leave get her settled and do some work from home to tide us over. Then one day Specialist needed cover on reception so I thought I migth as well go and help out for the week, earn some money and see some old faces. Whilst sitting in reception one day the CEO came over to me and basically offered me a job as their Promotions Manager which would work around the kids etc. I was so happy (and tbh relieved to be offered a role) that I took it straight away. And once again, working here brought some incredible new people into my life who are still part of it now! Lifelong friends who offer support, love, care, fun and you can ask them anything. We've all gone in different life directions now but that bond is still there.

Anyway, I got well established into my new role and felt quite proud of myself! One day one of the girls at work asked if I fancied trying a Pilates class down by work. It was a lunchtime class which was fab as got me away from my desk and brought movement to the day. Needless to say I fell absolutely in love with Pilates pretty much instantly and it became a part of my weekly routine.

Me in my early teaching days

One year me and the family went skiing to Andorra. I vividly remember stading on top of a mountain, watching ski instructors fly past with their cleints, having such a laugh and loving life. I burst into tears and realised I wasn't happy and needed to make a change. That evening, in the hotel, I registered to train as a Pilates instructor, not really aware of the amount of studying and training I'd be embarking on! All i knew is that whas want I wanted to do.

18 months later after so much studying, 6 anatomy and physiology exams, numerous workshops and my final assessement (which was terrrifying in front a panel of Pilates professionalsi who would basically tell me if I'd made it or not), I passed!! (Please don't ever assume that training properly as a PT, Pilates instructor, yofa teacher etc is easy. If you do it properly it's actually quite tough).

I immediately started teaching alongside my job at Specialist and spent a few months building Islandz up before taking it on as my only job. It has since become my career and I've had the freedom to develop it and make my company work around me, my kids and my husband (and the dogs and bunnies).

Almost 10 years on from the top of that mountain, here I am. Someone called me a 'professional' the other day and it really took me aback as I've never really thought of it like that. But I guess I am! I keep up with my training (specifically biomechanics this year) and I will always endevour to be the best and most trustworthy coach I can be.

It's taken a while, but even just writing this has shown me that I needed to go through all of those life steps to get to where I am now. I even gathered some most excellent people along the way and I've been present for my kids ,which is always really important to me.

And no...I'm not bored of it yet! Why would I be?