The places I've been.

 

I've had my business for over 13 years now, and, to be honest, I've worked in some interesting places during this time.

I suppose we can go way back to when I just used to train people outside. I didn't get my first indoor venue, my own anyway for another few months.

I was based in Totnes then and used Borough Park mostly, occasionally taking clients running around the Dartington Estate.

I soon found clients in the Torbay area, spreading my outdoor gym activity into Paignton, at Goodrington sands and Broadsands beach. I loved working at Broadsands and spent many years on a Saturday morning there with clients.

I love the ever-changing environment of the beach. On moving to North Devon I now use the beach at Westward Ho! and the quiet end of Instow. The sand is good for low impact work, but also makes it a little more challenging. The perfect workout!

Sticking with my outside venues, I once took an Insanity live session in the ice, in the middle of winter, outside the rugby club in Borough Park, Totnes, because the sports centre was closed. Shorts, gloves and hats, great combination!

I've trained one of my virtual clients in a park in the middle of London, she was there, not me, I was at home. I was on a tripod in Wandsworth I think!

Through the lockdown era, I worked outside virtually, from my garden mostly because the weather was stunning that year, the one where we couldn't go out and play in the sun! I digress.... anyway, I caused my neighbour, Verity, great amusement, she enjoyed listening to me training my clients, doing classes over Zoom and Facetime. I think she was sad when I stopped and went back to 'normal' working again. 

Being flexible like that, having the ability to switch, has been invaluable to me and my business over the years.

It's not just fitness that I have done outside either. One of my massage clients decided that she wanted the 'Top and Toe' treatment in her bell tent, in her front garden. The top and toe is an Indian head massage, followed by reflexology. It was a beautiful tent, filled with incense, cushions and fairy lights, all sorts of pretty and calming, BUT, the tent was on a slope! Between us, we managed to slide down the shiny groundsheet, and I was actually outside the tent door by the end of the reflexology session. I still find that time really funny!

Venturing inside, I got my very first inside training space about 12-years ago. A small corner of an old building, formerly used for the direction of funerals! The space that I occupied was the 'viewing room' and area that relatives could go to, to say goodbye and see their deceased relatives and friends for the final time. It was a nice cool training area because of this, and this area was aptly named, The Box Room!

It was tiny, but fit for purpose, until I moved to North Devon in 2022. I was sad to see the space go, but also, remembering the many floods and re-decoration that I had to do over the years, not so sad as I would have been!

Some happy and painful memories were made in that room over the years.

For a week, back in 2021, I had to train my virtual clients from my bathroom, and the top of my stairs, with my dogs there too! I was having the decking ripped up in my garden, a border built and some patio laid so couldn't be downstairs due to the layout of my house. I propped my laptop on the toilet lid, worked out just fine! Again, you have to be flexible and can't be too precious.

Talking all things virtual, I work in some great places. Some clients take me on holiday with them, one client in particular takes me to National Trust holiday cottages all over the country. Another takes me on work trips as she travels a lot for her work. My favourite time was when she worked in Brazil, I got to see the stunning view from her hotel balcony when I trained her.

And now, the final unique workplace, the Therapy Van!

Of course, it's just my campervan, but it doubles up for hypnotherapy and reflexology. It's an impartial environment, cosy, warm and unique. The passenger seat is a captain seat which swivels round to face inwards, which works for both reflexology and hypnotherapy.

During Hypnotherapy my client remains seated on the bench seat, I use blackout curtains and put on the fairy lights and other discreet lighting. It's very relaxing and actually very well insulated from noise and weather! For reflexology, I pull the bed out fully, plump up the cushions and let them relax back while I work on their feet from the captain seat. I have a few clients on a regular basis for this, particularly if their home is hectic, they can relax in the van, even if it's parked on their driveway!

The big word here though has been FLEXIBLE! I have always made sure I able to be flexible, not just on location, but on timing too. If I can do it, I will.

It's certainly been an interesting time so far, I didn't even tell you about the sessions I have done in the children's playpark and assault course! I am sure there will be more randomness to come in the future and I can't wait!

What's the weirdest work place or situation you have been in?