"Always a privilege to be given the opportunity to help change people’s overall outlook on health, fitness and well-being"

 Through Sapphire Lifestyle, I wish to offer a special specific service to you. This will always be a friendly personal “one to one “ which will remain true even when you are one of many in an exercise class, or on a couch having massage therapy, trying to relieve pain or just relaxing. This will also be true if you are serious about weight management and wish to improve nutrition, or thinking of starting an exercise program to fulfil a dream or your next Life’s challenge. I shall even help you to shop for new clothes that suit your new body shape and even suggest hair and make up changes.  

 "You are unique, so I would never expect a solution that is a success for one person to work for everyone. It is my job to find what works for you“

 Hopefully, you are reading this page because you have made that decision to do “something”. That is the first step. The determination is there and you have a wish or a goal. The next is to find out what you need to do or what the next step should be to ensure that you are successful. That is where I can probably help you, to support you, to motivate you, to help to guide and show you the way to reach your dream, but only if you make that Life changing decision to call me.

 No matter who you are, we have all been in a situation where we have often been missing the support and perhaps a little more motivation to get us started, or have actually tried several times before only to end up at the same starting point. With the busy lives we tend to lead today, many of our personal objectives are delayed as we have become progressively “Time Poor”. In no time at all the weeks and months have flown by and we still have not attained our goals.

 "Before you call, let me tell you a little about myself"

Like most of us today, I also had a hectic and stressful, yet fulfilling career working in Information Technology for Financial Institutions around the world. I worked extremely hard and played hard, lighting the candle at both ends, as they say. I stayed at so many hotels around the world, with only the option of eating most of my meals in restaurants and there were times when i travelled several times a week on planes instead of trains.

 When I started to realise that I was working 30 hours a day, 10 days a week, 15 months a year, and time was passing by quicker each year, I stopped to take a very serious look at what I was doing.

 "My Lifestyle was not so great from a health viewpoint and I knew that all too soon I would have some serious health issues. I needed to change"

  I had always been a member of a gym and was always trying to get to a class, but would miss more than I attended. I was young and have always been quite active with Aerobics, squash, water skiing, netball, etc, but I still had the nickname of "Sturdy Bird" !!!.

  I could look good by dressing well, but I did not feel so well and everything seemed a real effort. I was always so tired. There were never enough hours in the day and I realised that there may not be too many tomorrows either.

 "The Trigger  –  For me this was when I saw a not so flattering photo and I could not even believe that it was me. "

 My dress size had gradually crept up, but the dress cut in the shops were also becoming more generous, reflecting Americain sizes, so a size 12 was more a 14, which does not help. I saw that my weight had increased to just over 14 stone, yet, looks were deceiving as most would say that I only looked as if I was 10 stone. By looking “not so bad”, we put things off. I even had a wardrobe of “thin clothes” and “Fat clothes”. But that photo was “my trigger” and something was going to give. 

 So, I took some time out of my busy career to do something totally different. I studied physiology and then went on to study for a Diploma in personal training. Initially only as a hobby and to help me keep fit. But , I was so surprised at what I had to learn and realised that most people do not know what knowledge a PT has to have to qualify..

So, out went the Dior business suits and Jimmy Choos in favour of Lycra and trainers. I even (reluctantly) swapped my super black fast sexy convertible sports car for a Nissan 4x4. It was like swapping black sexy stockings for Nora Batty's wrinkled stockings. I was going to give this new career a try, knowing that I can always go back to the big bucks as a contractor anytime.

 I found that over time, lots of little bits of information, when acted upon, made a huge difference to the way I looked and felt. Snippets are always to be found in newspaper articles, but when you study these things in depth, you also get to understand the "why" as well as the "effect".

 "My life  started to change, by very slowly, changing one thing at a time to see what would worked for me."

 Again, the days turned into weeks and the months into a year and the effect of these small changes in 12 months were amazing.

 I learnt that for many of us, we do not need to hit the gym in a big way or go on a diet, but we do need to make that decision to do something, but that something has to be effective, or we will become disheartened and lose track of our wishes.

 With my training, I learnt how our bodies work and react to both food and exercise. If we are unwell or have health issues or even in pregnancy, our bodies need to be treated slightly differently. As we build fitness, I also saw that our confidence would grow, we looked better, walked taller and our social habits would change – leading to a better lifestyle.

 "Food is nutrition and nutrition is key for all our goals."

I started to run, entered a few races and even a marathon. I created smaller goals to work towards. Then I tried a small triathlon and now enjoy cycling, something that I only learnt to do a few years ago. With cycling, I had to learn all about comfortable saddles, bike fit, bike clothes as well as bike technique. Learning all the time.

 "It is amazing what you can do. I shall never win a race, though I know many who do. But as long as I get to the end – I am happy and I know that I am also a lot healthier. " 

 I decided to continue with my new change career and as I started to work with clients – who are also now my friends – I learnt even more from their own life experiences and I use this information and the experienced gained to help others.

 If I find that I really cannot help, then I am sure that I can recommend someone who can.

That phone call may only take a few minutes, the the effect could be phenomenal & the cost is usually a lot less than you may think.  

Now let me introduce you to Lion & Tiger,

In this photo, they are getting ready for a Double Enduroman swim (Feb 2011). They have become our lucky mascots and have travelled all around the world over the few years.

Name Dropping !!! -

Natascha Bademann saw Lion and Tiger at IRONMAN LANZAROTE (May 2011) and came to say "Hello" as she is also from Switzerland and has a few lions and Tigers of her own as well as a Cheetah (her bike ), which is much cherished.

Also congratulations to Rachel Joyce & Natascha Bademann - Top two ladies at Ironman Lanzarote - an extremely hard race this year. (May 2011)

"A  small suggestion - To get you started on an exercise regime you can always join me at local Zumba/gold  & Pilates Classes - Always friendly & fun" 

 Sapphire Lifestyle covers all aspects of Fitness, *  classes (zumba, swiss ball , circuits, etc )  *  Pilates & posture analysis, *   one to one weight management,  *  Sport nutrition, *   general nutrition, *   Personal Training specific for your needs, *   Sports Massage and Therapy (incl trigger pointing, muscle energy techniques & PNF) * within the lovely Kent area  – Cudham,  Green St Green,  Bromley,  Knockholt,  Westerham,  Biggin Hill, Orpington,  Hayes,  Catford,  Forest Hill,  West Wickham,  Beckenham  &  Farnborough