At 42, I was overweight and out of breath chasing the bus. In January 2016, I decided to make a change, joined a bootcamp, struggled through a mile… but the encouragement I received kept me coming back. I haven’t stopped running since.

That first year I completed the Manchester Half Marathon, and over time I’ve grown to love every expression of running — from 5Ks to ultramarathons, trail adventures, national long-distance paths, and even some barefoot running. Joining Belle Vue Racers in 2019 introduced me to competitive racing and helped elevate my performance.

I’m also passionate about parkrun, having visited over 140 locations to either chase a time, pace others, volunteer, or simply enjoy the community (and cake).

Wanting to give back to the sport that changed my life, I completed my Guide Runner certificate. As my own results improved, more runners began asking for guidance, and I discovered how much I enjoyed supporting their progress, which inspired me to then attain my LiRF and CiRF qualifications.

I take a holistic, person-centred approach to coaching — blending physical training with mindset, confidence, and the psychology of running. As someone who is trained in mental health, I incorporate a growth mindset and solution focused approach, helping runners manage nerves, remove pressure, and find joy in the process.

I believe there are only good days and learning days. My own journey hasn’t been linear, and those lessons help me guide others through similar challenges.

Your best is yet to come — and “best” isn’t just about times. It’s about better form, smarter energy use, increased age grading, improved confidence and most importantly, enjoying your running again.