A little bit about Lynne…
Why did you choose Personal Training/Sports & Remedial Massage as a career? I like helping people and I’ve always enjoyed being involved in sports. As a Personal Trainer and massage therapist I can bring the two together and use my knowledge and experience to improve quality of life for people.
I get a real buzz out of training other people, seeing them improve and change over time. Working with motivated and driven people is incredibly rewarding. I know what it’s like to train hard for an event and activities you want to do, so yes, I do walk the walk and put the hours in on my own fitness.
You’re also a Life & Mindset Coach. Yes, in 2022 I qualified with an ILM Level 5 Certificate in Effective Coaching and Mentoring. My PT sessions are often akin to a life coaching conversation so it was a natural progression to undertake some rigorous training to qualify as a coach. Most of my clients I see are online, but if you’re local to me I offer outdoor coaching, combining the empowering wonders of nature alongside movement while we’re conversing. My coaching can be found here.
What sports are you involved in personally?
My main sport now is cycling, which has become my primary way of exploring the outdoors. I particularly enjoy longer adventures and recently completed a three-week bikepacking trip through the Netherlands, Belgium and France. I love the sense of freedom that cycling brings, the ability to travel under my own steam, and the opportunity to experience landscapes and cultures at a slower, more connected pace.
Alongside cycling, I’m a keen walker and I also enjoy wild swimming. Over the years I’ve been involved in a wide range of outdoor pursuits including fell running, caving, climbing, paragliding and scuba diving, all of which have shaped my relationship with movement, nature and resilience.
I sometimes volunteer at my local Glossop parkrun and in 2022 completed my 100th parkrun event. I think the shortest race I’ve done is the Lantern Pike Dash at 2 miles, and longest the Long Tour of Bradwell at 55km (2015). I’ve raced 10km road races, the London Marathon (2017), trail halfs, trail marathons and the Bryce Canyon ultra race – a 50k race held in Utah, USA at altitude and 32 degreesC (2016).
Over the years, the focus of my training has shifted away from performance and speed, towards enjoyment, sustainability and adventure. I’m now more at home heading out for longer days on the bike or into the hills with friends, valuing the social, exploratory and restorative aspects of being outdoors. I support this with regular strength training to help stay strong, mobile and injury-free. Moving my body consistently and maintaining long-term health and wellbeing are what continue to motivate me to stay active.
Other interests? I’m a lifelong learner on the piano. I make pottery and sell through a couple of local galleries and at markets, especially around Christmas. See Organic Ceramics for more about my pottery.
I love baking and when in season I go out collecting fruits to make chutney, jams and jellies. My outdoor interests also led me to qualify as a Hill & Moorland Leader so I can teach navigation and take people on guided walks around the Peak District.
Favourite place? After living in Glossop for a good few years I always seem drawn to James Thorn – a hill just a few miles from home and one which I visit frequently. It’s on the edge of Bleaklow so can feel very wild and remote, but close enough to visit often.
Favourite saying? “take the road less traveled” which is derived from the poem The Road not Taken by Robert Frost. While some interpret the poem to mean the author had regret for choosing the path he took, I keep this saying in mind to remind me to return to places I’ve been before and to take the road less traveled – to find new in what is familiar.
Sometimes you’ll see me running in fancy dress….or even a fancy dress.