Hi, I'm Nell and I used to avoid PE at school.

 

In fact, I avoided anything that I felt classed as 'exercise' (dance classes were too much fun to be exercise) until I was in my early 20s when I realised how great exercise makes me feel, nothing like the feeling from running around in the freezing cold with a variety of sticks and rackets in PE! The endorphin rush, the time to switch off from desk-job stresses and the sense of achievement and wellbeing were addictive.

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As a young adult living in London, I needed a hobby that was more challenging (and healthier!) than going to the pub but all the dance classes I found were either beginner or professional level and I fitted neither category. Instead I found The National Centre for Circus Arts and fell in love with static trapeze training. In order to progress I had to get stronger and took the terrifying leap of joining a fancy London gym - GymBox. GymBox offered specific aerial circus fitness classes and I was lucky enough to meet the creator of the aerial series and founder of CircusFit, Hester Montgomery Campbell. Hester encouraged me to train as an instructor and before I knew it I was running classes in Trapeze, CircusFit and Aerial Yoga for GymBox and I loved it! Meeting new people and sharing my love of fitness and aerial, seeing them progress and develop well beyond my skillset was the most satisfying work I've ever had.

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After a while of teaching, I followed my heart (literally, my husband is a kiwi) to New Zealand where I set up and ran the first Boogie Bounce rebounder class in the country. This lasted a few years before I found out that I was pregnant and suddenly bouncing on a mini trampoline was wildly unappealing. I continued to exercise throughout the pregnancy but struggled to find suitable maternity classes, I had to adapt mixed level classes to my changing body.

 

Another few years, a pandemic, another move across the world and another baby later I was still finding it nearly impossible to get into an exercise routine around pick ups, drop offs, childcare and work. I had joined some lovely classes at various times but everything seemed to drop off once a baby is mobile which, in the case of my second child, was very early! I was in need of a new goal so I decided to become the fitness trainer that I've needed all these years and thus Fit Happens was born.

 

My aim for the business is to share my love of exercise with others who feel a bit lost or like they don't know where to start with a fitness routine by creating inclusive, welcoming classes that work around real people with real restrictions on their time and energy. I don't take myself too seriously, I also think some of the moves are silly and I will never try to force anyone to push past their limits. Turn up, get moving and enjoy yourself - your endorphins will thank you!

 

Fit Happens has been built with kids hanging off of me, dropping everything to provide snacks and mop spills before running off to do my 'grown up' job and I massively appreciate your interest and support.

 

Classes start in mid-January, come along and see what it's all about - I can't wait to see you there!