Friday Fitspo

Autumn Action

From the age of 26, I’ve dipped in and out of fitness trying lots of different activities. In 2003 I ran the London Marathon and vowed never to run again! I did do a few more races but it wasn’t something I felt passionate about. Fast forward to 2008 and my mum was diagnosed with terminal cancer, we lost her January 2009. I felt utterly lost and just drifted through life until 2010 when I had my beautiful daughter. Mum and I talked a lot when she was dying and she’d told me to have a daughter I asked her to fix it so I guess she did! Shortly after having Ava my back just went which led to nerve damage leaving me unable to have full feeling in my left foot, walking was difficult for a few months and I just thought to myself I have to do something and get strong. After turning 40 I took action and started to try and find my core again with regular Pilates.

Finally, I felt brave enough to join a gym and start weight training. I played around for a few years until I saw on Instagram the most amazing physiques of fitness competitors and thought to myself wow I’d love to be able to do that. I’d body hated for way too many years and knew that this would be a spectacular way to get over it, to finally feel free and confident. I signed with Jamie Alderton and spent a year with him preparing for my first fitness show. I did Pure Elite followed by WBFF in 2015. I was terrified and knew that if I wanted to crack it I had a lot of work to do. I changed coach after the show and have been with him ever since. I did another one in 2016 had no expectations to place as I was going through a particularly unpleasant divorce so the training and prepping was a marvellous distraction.

In 2017 I decided now was the time to add to my beauty therapy with a personal trainer qualification, I embarked on a tough course with Premier and it was the best thing I’ve ever done. I had a very clear vision of how I wanted to create the Lifestyle side of my business. I wanted to show women the beauty of weight training when sculpting a physique, the confidence it gives you in both body and mind and what it feels like to be strong. I now have an amazing team of women and we are growing, my 1-1 is at capacity and I’m in the process of launching the online training side. I strongly believe in having dreams and just working really hard to get to where you want to be. I went back to the stage in July this year and won first place in Fitness over 45 and my pro card with Pure Elite what an amazing experience and one I shall never forget. Life can be incredibly tough and cruel at times but it makes me even more determined to succeed.

Finding companies like Yogaleggs that not only make the most amazing leggings so I look stylish with my clients and are fantastic to train in, but also support other women in business is amazing. We are all on this journey together. For me, my fitness journey just keeps getting better.

You can find more information about me on my Instagram @emmalvarley
Facebook Kempt Beauty & Lifestyle
To contact me by email emmalvarley@icloud.com