Jan Miller worked as a secondary school teacher for more than 20 years. After a chance meeting with T2 Fitness Owner, Stu Gatherum, Jan decided to retrain to pursue her dream job as a Personal Trainer.
With a lot of experience and professional development gained on our CPD Courses, Jan shares her experience of achieving the role of Master Personal Trainer at David Lloyd gym in Swindon. Today, she gets to help others doing something she is truly passionate about – helping people achieve their fitness goals.
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Name: Jan Miller
Position: Master Personal Trainer
Organisation: David Lloyd
Located: Swindon
Services offered: Delivers PT session to gm members and deliver HITT and Conditioning classes. Mentor other PTs in David Lloyd Clubs.
Favourite Exercise: Anything with Kettlebells.
I work at David Lloyd in Swindon delivering PT sessions to members, I also deliver weekly HITT and Conditioning classes. I have a few personal clients that I train at home. Recently I was given the role of Master Trainer for David Lloyd which will see me assess and mentor PT’s in David Lloyd clubs around the country.
I offer TRX, VIPR, Kettlebells, Spin, Strength, Nutrition, Menopause Support, Pre and Post Pregnancy support, and injury rehab.
What were you doing before you became a PT?
I am a qualified secondary school teacher and spent 20 years in the classroom in various roles and with various responsibilities. In 2012 I decided it was time to leave teaching and pursue a different path.
In 2013 I bought a Sports Coaching Franchise and spent the next 10 years building a business delivering PE lessons and offering after school clubs to Primary Schools in the Wiltshire area. I sold this business in January 2022 and joined David Lloyd in February of the same year.
Why is kettlebells your favourite exercise?
I love training with Kettle bells. I feel that they provide everything that you need in an exercise session, they are versatile and as a woman I find them extremely empowering, you don’t have to master lots of different pieces of gym equipment and they give you an intense workout. I use them with all my clients.
How did your interest in fitness develop?
I was always interested in sport and exercise as a teenager I was part of an Aerobics team, played tennis and squash and loved skipping. After I had my children, we joined Cannons gym, which doesn’t exist anymore, that was my first experience of a health club. I was there when they introduced Spin classes and Body Pump for the first time. That’s how old I am!
After a move from Yorkshire to Wiltshire we joined David Lloyd in Swindon as a family when it opened 16 years ago, that’s when I met Stu. I feel that that was when my love of fitness really changed. Stu introduced me to a completely new way of training, using Kettle bells, TRX and dumbbells. Those were the days when he came to my house! We trained in my garage or on my patio. At one point I was completing 1000 Kettle bell swings a day! (I must add this was for a challenge for 10 days.) These days I am not quite at that level, I enjoy road cycling, Canicross (off road running with my dog) but still do some Kettlebells and weight training, injuries allowing.
I have found that my interests have changed, and I am not quite as obsessed with my own fitness, I have also had to work through some health issues and this has challenged me to find things that I can do without pain. I probably should develop more of an interest in Stretching! I feel that as we age our training and fitness changes and finding things that you enjoy is crucial to keep up the interest in Fitness that we need into our later years.
When did you decide to pursue your career as a Person Trainer?
When I started my Sports Coaching Franchise in 2013 I also completed Level 2 and Level 3 as I thought that it would be a useful source of income as the business was still in its infancy. It has proved to be an extremely good idea.
Why did you choose T2 Fitness Education?
I knew Stu and wanted to support him, T2 Fitness Education was in its early days as well. Stu has always gone out of his way to help and support me and I value his support and friendship. I also love that it is a one stop shop, you can compete other add on qualifications, such as VIPR, TRX, Kettlebells, Sports Massage etc.
What have you found most helpful about the course(s)
I loved the mix of theory and practical. When I completed these courses I did so over a number of weekends. It was always fun and educational. Also, the ongoing support is invaluable. There is always someone there to ask for advice and to just chat things through.
What advice do you have for others who want to train to become a PT or instructor?
Only do it if you are passionate about helping people reach their fitness goals. I believe my job is to empower my clients and to help them grow in confidence and achieve their goals. It is not about me and my training anymore. If this is what you are passionate about then it is the job for you.
Key Takeaways
- It’s never too late to follow your dreams and retrain in a new career
- T2’s Fitness Education courses can support you on the way to your dream job
- With experience and continued professional development, becoming a Master Personal Trainer will allow you to mentor other personal trainers.
- T2 Fitness offer complete flexibility. Courses can be completed around other commitments.
- Only choose a career as a PT if you’re passionate about helping and empowering people.
