Before I met Tracey, I was at a bit of a crossroads. I had recently moved abroad, and over the course of a few years, I’d put on three stone. Being on the wrong side of 40 with an underactive thyroid made it hard to shift the weight, and even though I kept saying I’d join a gym, the idea of doing so in a country where I wasn’t fluent in the language felt daunting.
To add to this, I had recently lost three close family members – two to cancer and one to COVID. Their passing was swift, a stark reminder that if I needed to start taking care of myself. Then, just six months before I found Tracey, I injured my back. I’d had sciatica for a few years, but this time the pain was unbearable, affecting my back, hips, and legs. I was barely able to walk upright for weeks. Knowing that I was the only surviving parent for my wonderful 26-year-old daughter, I realised I had to make a change – not just for myself, but for her as well.
Finally, I decided to take the plunge and prioritise my health. Although I was concerned about the cost, I reminded myself that health is one of the best investments you can make. I searched online for personal trainers and came across Tracey’s website, Exercise Prescription. The name itself intrigued me; I was mentally and physically fragile, and I wanted someone who would encourage me without pushing me too hard. Tracey’s approach sounded like exactly what I needed – a personalised, thoughtful approach, not a “no pain, no gain” mentality.
In our initial consultation, Tracey came across as genuinely caring and deeply invested in her clients’ success. I had a specific vision of the kind of trainer I needed, and she was the perfect fit: professional, understanding, and interested in what was motivating me. She asked me about my goals – of course, weight loss was one of them, but I also wanted to build a habit of exercise that I would enjoy and sustain. I shared my concerns about my back injury, and Tracey reassured me that we would start slow and work on building my strength safely.
From the start, Tracey was committed to helping me stay on track. I was nervous and prone to finding excuses, but she had a way of keeping me engaged without being pushy. She regularly checked in with me and kept me motivated. Despite the challenges of being in a foreign country, Tracey was incredibly patient, helping me with forms and staying in touch throughout the process. She was also careful to make sure I had the all-clear from my doctors, which speaks volumes about her professionalism.
Honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect when we started, but I knew I needed to trust her expertise. Initially, I was quite self-conscious about my weight and my fitness level, but Tracey quickly put me at ease. She made me feel comfortable, complimented me genuinely, and showed a real interest in me as a person. I felt supported as she helped me build strength in my back, teaching me how to protect it during exercises.
We initially committed to working together for three months, meeting twice a week for an hour. Tracey tracked my progress, and I ended up extending for an additional month. Over four months, I reduced my BMI by 5.3, lost 35 pounds, and took 15 cm off both my waist and hips. I felt fitter, stronger, healthier, and more confident.
Over time, I’ve discovered a new passion for weight training, something I know will only support me more as I head into perimenopause and, eventually, menopause. And while I still don’t enjoy cardio as much, Tracey takes it on the chin when I call her a “smiling assassin” during our sessions! But I keep in mind that this is exactly why I’m here – to keep improving myself and pushing my limits. Just recently, I had to sprint across an airport to catch my gate, and I couldn’t believe the speed I was running at- or that I wasn’t even out of breath! On a recent holiday, I was walking 20,000 – 30,000 steps a day with ease, and I even outpaced my family members.
Not only did my physical health improve, but my mental health took a turn for the better as well. I’m no longer as anxious; exercise has become a positive outlet for stress, and I’m more proactive in dealing with challenges.
It’s now been a year since I started working with Tracey. I still have weekly PT sessions, and I’ve also joined her Express PT classes – a fantastic half-hour session, five days a week, with a supportive online group of her clients. Thanks to Tracey, I’ve achieved my goals, and exercise has become something I genuinely miss if I ever skip a day (which is rare now!).
I’m incredibly grateful I found Tracey. If it hadn’t been for her, I might still be making excuses, delaying my fitness journey. I wholeheartedly recommend Tracey to anyone considering a personal trainer. If you’re on the fence, don’t hesitate – reach out to her. You won’t regret it.
