What I Won’t Do as a Personal Trainer (and What I Will)

There are plenty of brilliant personal trainers out there.
I’m not trying to be all things to all people — and I think that matters.

So instead of telling you what I do, I want to be clear about what I won’t do. Because if you’re looking for those things, you’ll be happier elsewhere and that’s genuinely okay.

I won’t take or share half-naked before & after photos

I won’t ask you to strip down, stand under harsh lighting, hold your tummy in and pose for a “transformation” shot.

If you want to take photos for yourself, go ahead. Some people find that useful. But I’m far more interested in how you feel in your body than whether you can angle yourself into a flattering position.

Confidence, strength, energy, and trust in your body don’t always show up neatly in a side-by-side photo, but they matter far more in real life.

I won’t weigh you or take measurements

I don’t put clients on the scales or measure them every week.

And if you’re looking for a weight-loss coach who gives you a prescriptive meal plan, tracks everything you eat, weighs you regularly and schedules check-in calls to keep you “on plan” — I’m not your person.

You’re welcome to weigh yourself or track things in your own time if that feels helpful to you. But that’s not how I coach. For many midlife women, numbers become noise, not insight.

I will talk about food — just not dieting

I am absolutely a cliché in that I believe in protein and fibre. They help keep you full, fuel your training, and support your energy levels.

I’m also very much an 80/20 person.
Most of what I eat is nourishing. I also eat treats. If I want cake, I eat cake.

I’m happy to look at what you’re eating and suggest realistic improvements that fit your life — not someone else’s plan. And yes, I will probably recommend cottage cheese. If you’ve followed me for a while, you already know this.

This isn’t a diet.
It’s a long-term adjustment so you can feel fed, energised, and not constantly thinking about food.

I don’t do running

If you want a PT to get you into running or help you improve your running times, I’m definitely not for you.

I’ve seen too many midlife women injure themselves because they’ve decided that running will fix everything — weight, fitness, stress, confidence — often after years of not doing it at all.

If you love running and already do it, that’s great. I have plenty of clients who run. But it’s not what they come to me for.

And honestly? If you haven’t started running by midlife, that might be your body gently telling you something — no matter how enthusiastic your best friend is.

What I do believe in

I believe in the power of strength training.

In the quiet confidence that comes from picking up a heavier weight than you thought you could.
In watching dumbbells get heavier over time.
In clothes feeling looser, posture improving, and your core actually supporting your back.

I believe building muscle is one of the most powerful things midlife women can do — not for aesthetics, but for how life feels now and later.

And yes, at least you’ll be strong enough to help your running friend up when she hurts herself.

(I do believe in dancing though — and I will absolutely bust a move in the gym.)

Final note

This is how I work.
It’s not for everyone — and it’s not meant to be.

But if this approach resonates, you’ll probably feel very at home training with me.