Fitness has never
been a straight line.

I began, like many women, thinking fitness meant eating less and doing loads of cardio. Over the last 20 years I’ve built strength, been injured, trained at home, returned to the gym and started over more than once. At my lowest point I went from feeling incredibly fit to needing crutches just to walk. Fitness had become part of who I was, so losing it felt like losing part of myself.

Three back surgeries have meant periods away from training and rebuilding from scratch. Other times, work, family and life simply needed to come first.

Those experiences changed how I think about fitness. It isn’t a destination; it’s a journey that has to move with you. Your body, hormones, time, priorities and circumstances change. I’ve blamed myself for not being consistent or not being able to do what I used to. I know how frustrating that feels.

But sometimes the answer isn’t to try harder. The plan may no longer fit your life. For fitness to last, it has to work for the life you have now and adapt when that life changes.

I’ve helped people with their training for years, through coaching programmes, and supporting friends and family. I qualified as a Level 3 Personal Trainer because I wanted to build something of my own. While working full time and juggling family, training and everything else, that idea kept slipping to the bottom of the list. Being made redundant gave me the time and energy to finally make it happen.

I’m 43, with two grown-up kids, and I don’t believe my best years are behind me. I want to feel strong and confident, try new things, go new places and make the most of this stage of life.

Mel Todd PT is my own comeback era. I’m turning what I’ve learned into support for women who feel they’ve missed their chance, so they can find what works now and feel good in themselves again. I’m not trying to become who I used to be. I’m excited about who I can become next—and I’d love to help you find your next chapter too.