I was an overweight, under-exercised asthmatic 12-year-old, low on energy, self esteem and confidence. It was then I discovered rowing and a fantastic coach and within a year I was confident, fit, active and competing.

By the time I was 17, I was aiming for the junior Great Britain rowing trials when I was diagnosed with ME. At this stage, driven by my desire to understand my illness, combined with my passion for sport, I started studying sport science at A level and then carried it through to degree level. By the time I was 22 I had fully recovered from ME and had gained my BSc (Hons). I decided to create a career for myself which would encompass all I had learned from my studies, my personal experience and my natural inclination to help and support people.

For 18 months after I left university I travelled around Australia and S.E Asia while maintaining my interest in fitness. I worked as a fitness instructor in Sydney and studied the art of Muay Thai (kick boxing) in Thailand.

On my return to the UK, I started working at one of the major health clubs as a fitness instructor. I was rapidly promoted to fitness manager where, while I learned a lot, I was also constrained by corporate guidelines and had to conform to standard company programmes. Feeling restricted by not being able to offer my services and knowledge on a one-to-one basis, and seeing that clients weren't always achieving their full potential, I set up my own business. Now not only am I a lot happier and more fulfilled but, more importantly, all my clients are as well.