CHARLES: “I started a training regime eleven years ago when I retired from public service. I had once been a classroom teacher, which meant five or six hours a day on my feet not to mention trying to keep up with the 15-18 year old boys I taught. That kept me in reasonable shape. When I became a desk jockey, all the good habits ended. By the time I retired I had developed a severe case of bureaucrat’s bum. I was overweight and felt lousy.
Once I started training, things improved dramatically. I was stronger, more energetic and thinner. Most importantly I felt better about myself.
I stayed with my new routine for five years, but, although I continued training, I developed some poor eating habits, started putting on weight again, and generally lost the enthusiasm for life I’d had.
I started working with Kate about four years ago and with her support I rediscovered that zest for life I’d felt draining away. About three years ago I eliminated refined sugar and gluten from my diet. The results have been dramatic. Not only have I lost weight, but my mood and mental acuity have improved and my overall health has improved.
Kate’s approach to functional training has been a godsend for me. I thought that strength training was about how much weight, how many times. Instead I’ve discovered how to work on flexibility, posture and balance. Injuries are never a good thing, but at my age they take much longer to heal than they once did. Avoiding them is much higher on my list these days. Which is not to say that I can’t lift more weight, more times than before, but that’s a bonus.
An important part of the experience has been working with Mike. He is hands down, the best RMT I’ve worked with. Becoming more supple has become a goal for me and his work on me has taught me a great deal about my body. Also, he is a terrific human being.
I’m 75 years old and can honestly say that I feel better and more comfortable in my body than I have since I was a child, if then. My head told me, “It’s too late, you’re too old.” My head was wrong. Friends at times have asked me why I want to work so hard. I tell them, it’s not work if I’m having fun. I enjoy every hour in the gym with Kate. I’m always disappointed when the hour is up. I really don’t want to leave.
Amazingly, I just keep feeling better. As you can see from the picture, it’s never too late to be a happy baby!”
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KATE: "I began working with Charles in July 2017. It's been a year of learning, growing and never settling. I challenged Charles on a weekly basis to develop a deeper understanding of proper biomechanics and body alignment and to always strive to improve. He accepted the challenge with unrelenting determination and energy. To say it's been a journey of self-discovery would be an understatement. It hasn't always been easy, but anything worth pursuing shouldn't be. I'll quote Charles verbatim, as this explains just how he feels now: "I'm really enjoying being in my body." This is not something every 72-year-old walks around exclaiming.
Charles inspires not only his generation, but all those older and younger than him. He shows up to every session ready to put in the work and the results speak for themselves. He's lost 17 lbs and 3 inches around the midsection; his posture has dramatically improved; he has increased body awareness and coordination; he's more mobile and flexible allowing his confidence to increase as a result of accessibility to a full-depth squat, good overhead reaching, better balance on a single leg, the fact that he can easily touch his toes and get up and down from the floor without a second thought.
He's worked hard on being open to new ways of eating and has adjusted his nutrition such that he no longer feels powerless over sugar cravings, he is very aware of how each food affects his mood and body and has ultimately developed a healthy relationship with food.
He is an example of why I do what I do in the fitness industry. Nothing is more fulfilling that helping someone regain their inner power and allow them to move easier in their daily lives.
I look forward to Charles' continued progress and the joy we each feel in every session.”