Start First, Fail Fast, and Eventually Get It Right

I started first and failed fast—three times, to be precise. Core4Men, Spinning Instructor, and the disastrous Exercise to Music training. Despite these setbacks (and a French surgeon who literally “stitched me up”), I was determined to stay in the fitness business.

Here’s how three surgeries, a hand injury from a ski resort table dancing incident, and a light bulb moment changed everything.

Three Surgeries and a Lot of Lessons

Back in 2013, I found myself under the knife three times in three months:

1. Après Ski Resort Accident : A severed tendon in my hand from table dancing in an après-ski bar.
2. A Bike Crash: A shoulder injury earned on the way to a cycling safety workshop (ironic, I know).
3. French Stitch-Up: A repeat hand operation after a French surgeon reattached only two out of three tendons.

Who writes this script?

These injuries eventually led me to occupational therapy to heal my hand. But it was while sitting in that waiting room, chatting with older folks, that I stumbled upon something that changed my life.

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The Discovery That Changed Everything

As I waited for my therapist, I spoke with older adults who’d fractured their hips after falling at home. Many had lost their independence, their quality of life, and, sadly, some had passed within a year of surgery.

Curious, I went home and did some research. Fall prevention was a massive problem, because people who fall never recover their mobility, they lose confidence and it dramatically reduces their lifespan. They live smaller lives, become a burden to their love ones and many end up in the critically short staffed social care system

That’s when I discovered a condition no doctor had ever mentioned: sarcopenia.

Sarcopenia, a Greek word, describes the progressive loss of muscle mass as we age. Starting at 30, we lose 3%–6% of lean muscle mass every decade. After 60, it gets worse, the loss speeds up. Leg and glute strength go first because these are your biggest most powerful muscles.

NICE UK’s Health watchdog calculates that falls costs the NHS over £3 Billion every year. One third of those over 70 will fall over each year, and a quarter of a million will end up in hospital.

This wasn’t just a stat—it was a wake-up call. A light bulb went off in my head, and it’s still shining brightly to this day.

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The Mission to Build Bigger Lives

What if I could teach people in their late 50s and 60s about the benefits of strength training? Could we stop sarcopenia in its tracks? Could we help people maintain their independence, avoid falls, and live bigger lives?

The next day, I signed up for a program with the Functional Ageing Institute (FAI) in America to dive deep into ageing and strength training. I also completed the UK equivalent course to get insured and start teaching.

 Building a Business from a Light Bulb Moment

With my new knowledge, I put together a presentation on ageing and invited ninety retired men and women. With the help of a few older friends, I demonstrated the best leg-strengthening exercises.

The result? Nine clients signed up on the spot. A second talk and a few referrals later, I had over 40 clients.

Fast forward 10 years, and I’m still going strong—training 25 clients between the ages of 60 and 82. In January 2025, I’ll celebrate a decade in the fitness business, and I plan to keep going for another 10 years because this work gets me out of bed in the morning.

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Closing Call to Action

Ageing isn’t about slowing down—it’s about stepping up. My journey started with a table dancing injury, but it taught me that staying strong and resilient is key to living a bigger life.

What about you? Are you ready to fight sarcopenia and embrace a stronger, more fulfilling future?

Are you ready to fight the good fight and Age Responsibly.  Walking is wonderful, but will not stop muscle wasting as you age.

Share your thoughts in the comments or email me your story. I’d love to hear how you’re taking on the challenges of ageing.

Next week, I’ll talk about the stories I’ve heard that demonstrate the negative effects of sarcopenia and I’ll finish with some good news.