My friends call me Pol 🙂
Originally I am from Ukraine, grew up in Latvia, and have lived in the UK for over 20 years now (uh oh, some of my clients were not even born at the time).
Similarly to many other coaches, trainers, nutritionists, psychologists and doctors, I became a trainer to help… myself 🙂
Having spent decades (!!) in a super stressful fashion production and administration environment, and with my typical lifestyle conditions progressing and gym attendance amounting to twice in two years (not kidding! I joined a lovely gym that had everything including luxury spa and a pool, I have not even tried the pool…), I have signed up to a PT course frankly to get myself enough commitment and accountability. I had to take a loan to cover the cost, had to be home with enough hours spare before bed to study and be present and ready every weekend for in-person studies. I was the oldest person on the course (older than the tutors as well!), with least experience in the gym/sports, and the only one who passed all the exams and completed the course without re-sitting. I forget about it. Writing this makes me feel proud 🙂
At the time I had no plans to train anyone or work in the gym. I enjoyed learning about anatomy, physiology and nutrition so much, have discovered lifting weights and my investment of money, time and huge effort has payed off in full - I was going to the gym consistently, keen to practice all the squats and deadlifts, and my diet has changed dramatically and voluntarily: from banana bread for breakfast (not kidding! Quick note: every story, funny or not, that you may see here or on my instagram page are all my own experiences or something that my clients have shared) to greens on every plate.
It was as if some sort of see-through curtain has been lifted - all the things I knew already from the doctors’, from those who’ve done it, from reading, from my grandmother!!! - it all started to make sense: moderation, balance, journey is much more fun than results, and, most importantly, you cannot fail.
At the course we were given a great advice: to maintain the skills start teaching straight away, does not matter who - help your family, friends, volunteer or apply to start working. I was in full-time employment and had no plans to work in a gym, but as more and more acquaintances asked me to help with training and nutrition, I started renting space in gyms and started taking on more clients, helping more people to overcome the same dread that happened to me. Eventually, I joined my local gym as a trainer using every hour before and after work and on weekends to teach. Then came the time when, due to the family situation I had to start travelling every couple of weeks, and between the security of my full-time position and the satisfaction of being able to help improve people lives directly by doing something I’m very passionate about I chose the latter - this is how I transitioned into full-time coaching.
Nearly 10 years now, hundreds of people helped, still love it.
And the main thing I aim to show and pass on to people is that it is never ever too late to feel better! Whatever your previous experiences and knowledge are, whatever habits you have accumulated - nothing is carved in stone, you are fully allowed and are absolutely capable of changing things for the better and having a much better life!
There you go, this is my story! 🙂
P.S. In my previous life I used to be a dancer, so don't be surprised to find me pirouetting between the machines, often there’s some impromptu dancing going on at #TeamFox sessions.