Working with me as your Personal Trainer / Mental health and exercise coach is an experience which is tailored to your specific needs and lifestyle goals. The first stage of coaching is to meet and discuss your needs, goals and past experiences. To book your no obligation lifestyle check up click here, or use the button below.

Claire’s story

49 years of age 

Background: 

During our first meeting it was clear that Claire had been struggling with pain, health and confidence for a number of years.

Claires fitness objectives:

• To be able to climb stairs freely.

•  To reduce stress on her joints and organs due to scale weight.

• To inspire her two Sons and Husband Stuart to take care of their health.

Diet objectives: 

• To understand how to support peri menopause with nourishment and to improve blood markers.

Overall aims: 

• To improve confidence and her tendency to be overly self-critical, to feel stronger and build habits that last a lifetime.

The Three Pillars of Fitness solution: Movement, Nourishment and Mindset

All of Claire’s PT sessions take place online, via Zoom. Most of our time spent together is used to explore emotions and recognising the importance of repetition, and building healthy habits, without over restriction.

Claire’s workouts are completed in her home, using dumbbells. Her workouts are usually done first thing in the morning before her Family wake up, this allows her to focus on herself with no risk of interruptions. Claire finds that her workouts help her to feel calm, empowered and ready for any challenges, that the day may present!

A pivotal moment for Claire was when she found herself crawling up the stairs at home, due to pain in her knees and legs. She now celebrates that she can walk greater distances, climb the stairs freely, bend / stretch, stand up and sit down as needed throughout the day.

“I feel super proud that I now regularly enjoy 4 workouts per week, I never thought I’d say that!”

Claire now consistently monitors her macro-nutrient targets and calorie consumption by food logging and says logging gives her great reassurance that her nourishment needs are met. She has a goal of six fruit and veg a day but often consumes ten (think of all of those wonderful vitamins, and minerals!).

In her weekly check-in and PT sessions, Claire will often remark that the things she loves most about our approach to nourishment is that no foods are off limits and the odd bit of enjoyment here and there easily fits within the target of 80% nourishing foods and 2o% choice foods (eaten mostly for enjoyment).

For Claire the journey towards health has never been solely about scale weight (although she recognises the important role that this plays), the major challenge has been mindset. She is proud of the work she has put in to get this far which has been reflected in the blood work done by her Doctor recently. Claire has stuck with the process even when it has been challenging and she recognises an improvement in her self-worth, she can recognise anxious feelings and work with them before they spiral out of control. “I am excited about what my future holds and what else I can achieve. I want to continue to guide my family to lead a happy and healthy life.”

Outcomes: 

Weight lost: 3 stones (42 pounds)

Health check in score: 24/68 April 2025 to 62/68 May 2026

Andy’s reflections: “I remember the day that I met Claire, her Husband Stuart and youngest Son Jacob. Sitting together, with them it was clear that help was needed, although I think Claire was sceptical (having been shunned by medical professionals and even her own Doctor).

The really good news is that in talking with Claire, I knew that she had a strong buy-in and the determination needed to change. To this day Claire embraces looking at things from a different perspective, a perspective where we work together to find the positives and remain focussed on the repetition of habits.

I try to respect Claire’s stories and experiences, whilst challenging her to constantly come out of her comfort zone. She has lost pounds and and changed shaped (to the tune of 76cm in total- wow!), but most importantly she has gained a new way of viewing herself within her challenges (curve balls as we call them).

Working with Claire and supporting her growth is and continues to be a great pleasure for me as a coach. The work is not over yet and both she and I am excited to see what is available in the coming months. Well done Claire! Keep working at it, the sky is your only limit!

Andy :-)

“I can feel myself becoming stronger almost every week, my workouts have progressed so many times I have lost track!”

- Claire Braiden

If you’d like to become one of our clients and create a lifestyle which is life changing and sustainable, then pick up the phone today and call us on 07713 328010 or use the button below. To learn more about our unique Three Pillar approach click here.