More About Andy

Where it all started

Growing up, I was shy but into sport. I played football and tennis to a high level and was a pretty good all-round athlete. I had talent when it came to tennis, but I didn’t have the belief to explore that fully. If I believed in having regrets, that would be mine! I followed a typical path, University, into a graduate job with a FTSE 250 in London. I did well in the corporate world which has enabled me to launch and run a business or two. However, the city lifestyle took its toll and my health suffered. I was putting on weight, I was getting occasional headaches and I was stressed. I was lethargic and sometimes pretty stiff. Does any of this sound familiar?

Building knowledge and noticing patterns

Exercise science, anatomy, movement and therapy of all types had always interested me, as did nutrition. So I decided to learn how to fix myself. I took as many courses and qualifications as I could across nutrition, fitness instruction, personal training, strength and conditioning, pilates, muscular assessment, diagnostics for Physiotherapy, exercise motivation, GP referral exercise prescription, kettle bell instruction, executive coaching – everything I could cram in. I started to train smart and eat better, utilising all of the knowledge I was building, I became obsessed with the mountain of information that is out there about fitness, food and training. I still am! I have gathered over the years a library of books relating to fitness, nutrition, motivation, psychology and sports specific training. I have read them all and experimented with them all. I have also developed an in depth understanding of how the body works (or is supposed to work), particularly from a Musculoskeletal perspective. This led me to further study and qualify as a sports massage therapist too.

Training Others

I was fitter in my 30’s than I was in my 20’s and probably fitter than I was at 18. I started training others and I realised I was really good at that. Through those experiences, I have recognised patterns and developed processes. At 38, I started to play tennis again to a high level and I never get injured. I was able to compete with players more than 20 years my junior. I have raced at Elite level at Spartan Race (against 20 something marines in the elite entries) and I more than hold my own.

Ageing well, remaining useful, doing the things we want to do

Now in my late 40's I am still fitter than I was in my 20's. I am still able to compete to a high level in the sport that I love (tennis) and perhaps most importantly I am also able to play with my kids, do DIY, be useful to others and rely on my body. My health markers are great and I believe that I can still get better. I take great pleasure from delivering this for my clients too, many of whom have trained with me for up to 15 years.