Welcome to my vibrant world of fitness, fun, and hula hoops! I'm Steph, and I'm thrilled to have this opportunity to share my journey with you. In this blog post, I'll take you on a captivating exploration of my background, and why sport and hula hooping have played such pivotal roles in shaping my life, passions, and values.
How did your love for sports and hula hooping shape your upbringing?
My hoop journey started when I was 12, I saw a trick on youtube that inspired me to dig my old childhood toy out of the alcove in my bedroom. I spent hours and hours standing in front of a fan teaching myself this trick. I continued developing my skills at school, I’d practise anywhere and everywhere, usually behind the sofa in the common room or outside in the cold. I was a shy kid so having a unique passion and skill allowed me to connect with others and I became known as the hoop girl.
Can you share a childhood memory that highlights the importance of sports and hula hooping in your life?
One vivid memory that epitomises the significance of sports and hula hooping for me is standing on the airport runway in Tuvalu surrounded by children and teenagers who don’t speak my language and who are so eager and excited to learn and see something new. I was able to connect with this group of locals through the power of expression and a simple plastic ring. It was my first solo trip and I was so nervous but from then on I felt so welcome and at peace with the island.
How did your passion for hula hooping transition into a fitness-focused journey?
After lockdown, I hadn’t trained or picked up a hoop in nearly two years. I was lost career-wise and I’d lost my confidence, fitness and ability to do some of my favourite tricks. My new friends didn’t even know I was a hooper. I’d always wanted to create a fitness programme to help hoopers get fit enough for tricks, reduce injuries, and push the industry’s skill level. I didn’t know where to start so I signed up for a personal trainer qualification. I needed to learn how others learn and how to motivate people on their fitness journey before I created this course. So this is my step towards my dream of creating this programme.
How does your personal training approach embody your love for hula hooping?
Hoops inspire my training as I know there’s a trick for everyone, everyone is different and expresses themselves in their way, as seen in the many different strands of hoop manipulation. I want to create sessions that allow my clients to have the most amount of fun they possibly can. Help them find the love for fitness (with or without a hoop) so it feels like a necessity rather than a chore, how I feel when I train for hoops.
What is the most fulfilling aspect of being a personal trainer for you?
The most fulfilling aspect of being a personal trainer is witnessing the positive impact I can have on my clients' lives. From witnessing their physical transformations and achieving their fitness goals to observing the newfound confidence and self-belief they develop along the way, every success story fuels my passion and deepens my commitment.
How do you ensure your training programs are personalised and aligned with each client's unique needs?
Personalisation is at the core of my training philosophy. I take the time to truly understand each client, their goals, preferences, and limitations. By building strong relationships, I can craft training programs that are not only effective but also enjoyable and sustainable for them. It's about creating a partnership based on trust, empathy, and mutual respect
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