HIGH FIVE TO GABBY'S FITNESS YOUR WAY
It's amazing when you stop and think about how you met someone and when. I bumped into Gabby when I was running around Marlow park exercising like a loon with Sophia in a buggy, using benches to do push ups, triceps and the rest to get back to fitness. Gabby's twins are the same age, which brings me then to how time has flown.. that was 9 bloody years ago. I can safely say its time well spent with Gabby's continued journey of fitness, establishing her own PT business 'Fitness Your Way' designed exactly as it says on the tin... exercises developed for you whatever stage your at. With additional class to run and much envied Retreats - she manages to balance her business, family and mummy me time! Double envy!! I am so pleased that Gabby is part of the stylishschoolrun community, and even more so that she is now a Sweaty Betty Ambassador for the Marlow Store! FYI Gabby You Rock!!
Tell me, a little bit about yourself…
I am Gabby, I lived in Marlow up until a few years ago and now live in Crays Pond near Goring on Thames. I am a personal trainer, specialising in Pilates and I teach in gyms, homes, halls and have my own studio at home. I love Yoga, lifting weights and getting sweaty! I love to run by the river and in the woods with my dog. I have 9 year old twins who make me laugh daily. Oh and I love to shop!
How did you get into personal training?
I have always loved fitness and it was a natural progression to build my career in the industry. After my degree in Sports Science, I taught in numerous gyms and studios and built up a great client base. I now teach Pilates, run retreats and personal train, focusing on core, posture, stability and general wellbeing.
Why Fitness Your Way?
I love feeling good in my skin, feeling strong in body and mind, healthy, fit and able to push myself.
What's your usual week / day look like?
I usually drop my kids at school, take my dog for a walk and zoom home for a coffee. After that, I teach 4 or 5 classes or PT sessions and negotiate the usual busy mum chores. If I am lucky, I will have an hour to myself during the day to have a quick run, swim or bike ride for myself. I also run a couple of retreats a year, so I take groups of up to 15 people away to a luxury barn for the weekend. They eat delicious food, do numerous classes, have treatments and are thoroughly pampered. It is wonderful! My job is hugely about giving others support and energy and I have learnt that I need ME TIME to recharge my batteries and be the best I can be for my family and my clients!
What inspires you?
Mothers inspire me. How we constantly juggle the work/life balance, the logistical planning that goes into a busy day with work, be it book keeping, PR or social media. Then there is the food shopping, meal planning, cooking, cleaning, childcare, taxiing, family care, kids clubs, caring for pets, socialising etc. I feel like I should walk around giving high fives daily to the awesome women I meet.
What did you want to be growing up?
I had so many ideas! I wanted to teach, to care for animals, to be a chef and I always wanted to travel. I speak languages so was an air hostess for a few years after my degree. Travelling the world was amazing and I kept up with my fitness by running in the most wonderful settings. I also taught classes down route to my fellow crew and taught classes on my days off at home.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Having my twins is by far my greatest achievement. Watching those tiny babies become wonderful, intelligent, kind hearted and often hilarious human beings brings me so much joy. Nothing else comes close.
What’s next on your to do list?
I am currently doing an advanced teacher training 500 hour Hatha Yoga course in my spare time. After that I plan to do another physical challenge. I did the 100km Thames Path Challenge, walking from London to Henley over 24 hours, raising money for Pancreatic Cancer research. I also cycled 350km across Jordan a few years ago for the Genesis Research Trust charity, it was immense! I would love to do another challenge like that!
When are you happiest?
Walking my dog by the river!
When was the last time you laughed out loud?
We had 8 adults and 8 kids and 4 dogs over for a bbq last night. We played silly party games, had a water slide out in the garden and made a lot of Gin cocktails. We were belly laughing from start to finish!
How as women, can we help to empower others?
Be kind. Don’t judge. Empathise. Promote peoples strengths and never peoples weaknesses!
What’s your style?
Sporty chic!
Guilty pleasure?
Chocolate!
Life motto?
Throw happiness around like confetti!
Can’t live without…
Yoga
Gabby's next Relax and Reboot Winter Retreat takes place 17 - 19th November at Brooklands Barn Retreat, Arundel in West Sussex. If you're interested in attending (limited tickets available) or looking at one - one, group sessions or Gabby's class get in touch:
gabby@fitnessyourway.co.uk
