“I Never Talk About Myself Negatively Anymore”: Ann-Marie’s Story
Ann-Marie remembers the moment she realised something had to change. Not because of a dramatic health scare or a number on the scale. Life had simply become too much.
At 48, Ann-Marie works as a Commercial Director in the drinks industry. It’s a role that comes with constant pressure, long days, and the kind of mental load that rarely switches off when the workday ends.
Like many people in demanding careers, the list of daily responsibilities was endless. Meetings, deadlines, decisions, travel, as well as a young daughter at home. The pace never really slowed down.
Looking after herself slowly drifted further and further down the priority list.
“Anything to do with me; eating well, running, training, just felt miles away from the reality of what I was doing.”
Sleep became inconsistent. Energy dropped. Stress levels stayed high and a glass of wine in the evening became a regular way to decompress after the day.
“You can’t continuously work at that level and never look after yourself without it having an impact.”
The mental strain started to show up physically and everyday tasks became tougher.
Trying to Fix It Alone
Like many people, Ann-Marie was determined to fix the problem herself.
She tried apps, online programmes and constant monthly subscriptions promising motivation and flexibility.
“You download something, pay the £15.99, and tell yourself this is the time you’re definitely going to do it.”
She would start with good intentions and inevitably work would get busy again, life would take over and the routine would fade.
“I honestly don’t know how much money I spent on things like that.”
Looking back, she realised the problem wasn’t lack of knowledge. She knew what she should be doing, what was missing was the accountability and structure to follow through.
When Training Stops Feeling Like a Task
What Ann-Marie was really looking for wasn’t an extreme weight loss transformation.
She wanted something that could exist alongside work, parenting, and real life and to build a community in Nottingham to support her through it.
Over time, training became a non-negotiable part of her life, she slowly started putting herself closer to the top of the list and found an outlet for stress at work.
“I don’t even think about it anymore,” she says.
“It’s just who I am.”
The Change She Didn’t Expect
The physical results came, of course.
But the biggest changes weren’t visible ones.
“I never talk about myself negatively anymore.”
Her relationship with herself improved, self-confidence grew and even her anxiety, something she had struggled with before, has been under control for the near two years she has been with us.
And the habits that once came from stress changed too.
“If I have a couple of drinks now, it’s because I feel good and want to celebrate something. Not because I’m stressed.”
The Power of Environment
One of the things Ann-Marie talks about most when reflecting on her journey is the environment.
People often talk about “community” in gyms but it’s easy to dismiss that word until you experience it.
“The encouragement you get from other people is quite something.”
“You get all the benefits of personal training,” Ann-Marie says, “but you get to do it with like-minded people around you.”
What Fitness Means to Her Now
Today, training isn’t something Ann-Marie has to talk herself into.
It’s part of the rhythm of her week and the way she describes her progress says everything about how far she’s come.
““I’m proud of how my body looks,” she says.
“But more importantly, I’m proud of how it performs.””
If you’re looking for a mental and physical transformation like Ann-Marie, get in contact here to start your 21 Day Trial
“I Got My Life Back”: Nikki’s Story
In January 2025, Nikki was walking her dogs on a Saturday night; out of breath, frustrated, and watching her friends enjoying their night out without her.
Nikki had turned down an opportunity to see her friends because of how uncomfortable she felt in her own skin.
At 36, working as a veterinary nurse, life already demanded a lot from her body. Constant bending, lifting and carrying is a normal day at work but Nikki was finding it harder and harder to keep up.
But it wasn’t just work where the struggles were showing up.
Outside of work, her confidence had hit rock bottom. She stopped going out. She avoided social plans. Getting dressed felt like a battle she’d already lost before leaving the house.
“I’d try and get dressed and just hated what I saw in the mirror.”
Prefer to watch? You can watch Nikki’s testimonial video here
In January 2025, Nikki was walking her dogs on a Saturday night; out of breath, frustrated, and watching her friends enjoying their night out without her.
Nikki had turned down an opportunity to see her friends because of how uncomfortable she felt in her own skin.
At 36, working as a veterinary nurse, life already demanded a lot from her body. Constant bending, lifting and carrying is a normal day at work but Nikki was finding it harder and harder to keep up.
But it wasn’t just work where the struggles were showing up.
Outside of work, her confidence had hit rock bottom. She stopped going out. She avoided social plans. Getting dressed felt like a battle she’d already lost before leaving the house.
“I’d try and get dressed and just hated what I saw in the mirror.”
The Fear That Nearly Stopped Her
Before joining TBH, Nikki had never stepped foot in a gym and considered herself a “non-exerciser.” The thought of joining a gym where she might be judged for being unfit, or be the person that everyone noticed for the wrong reasons, terrified her.
“I was really worried I’d be the fattest, most unfit person there, sweating, everyone judging me.”
She’d also, like many people, found herself stuck in an all-or-nothing mindset. She’d start unrealistic diets and then completely fall off and slip back into bad habits.
It wasn’t sustainable and Nikki knew, at 36 years old, this wasn’t how she should or wanted to be feeling.
The Turning Point
That Saturday night walking the dogs, out of breath, unhappy in her body and avoiding life, was the moment it clicked.
“I was like, this needs to change. I need to get my life back.”
So she took a step she never thought she would. She started.
What Changed (And Why This Time Was Different)
Nikki didn’t just lose weight, she rebuilt her life around movement, strength, and consistency.
Since starting, she’s lost four stone, dropped from a size 20 to a size 14, and completely transformed how she feels in her body.
But more importantly, she stopped feeling limited by it.
At work, the difference is obvious.
“I can run rings around the people I work with now.”
Lifting dogs that once felt impossible now feels routine.
“We’ll have a 40kg dog in and I’m like, I’ve got this, I deadlifted 80kg this morning.”
That confidence carries into every part of her life.
“I’d never sit in a top with my arms out before. Now I do.”
And going to the gym, the thing that once terrified her, is now something she loves and a huge part of her life and routine
“I came in thinking I hate exercise. I’m addicted to it now.”
Nikki is consistently hitting new fitness and health goals, lifting heavier, building more muscle, entering competitions, but what is really important is that her training has shown up for her in her real life.
““It’s really given me my life back. I feel like a different person.””
If you resonate with Nikki and feel stuck in bad routines and know that it’s time to make a change, drop us a message to see how we can help.