From fitness PASSION TO PROFESSION

Getting fit can transform lives – sometimes in unexpected ways. These three women all discovered such a passion for a form of exercise that they were inspired to teach it to others…

JO WILLACY

‘TEACHING AQUAFIT HAS BOOSTED MY CONFIDENCE’

Jo Moseley, 55, from Skipton, tried aquafit to ease an injury and soon began teaching it

‘In December 2017, I had a frozen shoulder that needed strengthening. It wasn’t quite up to swimming so I decided to try an aquafit class taken by my friend Christine.

I hadn’t even got in the pool when Christine said she thought I’d be great at teaching it! I’d discovered a joy for exercise in my late 40s after it got me through the menopause. She knew I wanted to do something that expressed my newfound passion. I sensed that teaching Christine’s class would be fun. Her pupils were so appreciative.

In May 2018 I took a water fitness course. It was intense – like going back to school, especially learning anatomy and physiology. During the course, I had to lead a class. I remember thinking, “Why am I doing this?”. I thought I was too old, not fit enough and didn’t look the part. It was such a relief when I got through it and passed the exam.

The first time I took over Christine’s class, in June 2018, I was terrified. In fact, I was terrified for three months. I’d tell people that I loved it, but every lesson I felt like I was faking it. Now I genuinely love it. I teach three 45- minute evening classes a week – I work full-time during the day – and my aim is that people leave feeling great.

Teaching aquafit and hydrojog has really boosted my confidence. I don’t look ultra-fit. When I take the class, I know that bits of me wobble but my students say they like that I look so normal doing it! Teaching has definitely improved my fitness.

My Monday class starts my week off brilliantly and my Friday classes ease stresses for the weekend. The more fun I make my classes, the better I feel and the better the class goes. I love everything about it.’