I have always been interested in fitness. I used to slog at the gym 4/5 times a week, go swimming 3/4 times a week, cycle, squash and badminton. Those are the one's I can remember! Oh and dabbled a bit with yoga. I didn't mind the hectic combination of work and play. In fact I thoroughly thrived on it. That is until I started to pull muscles.

Even when you're fit, muscles and tendons take along time to heal. You're forced to slow down and this plays on your mind. You desperately want to get back into fitness but your body won’t let you.

Ignoring all the signs I tried to continue with my sport… months later in 2001 I prolapsed a disc in my back.

It was an Osteopath who was treating my back and hip at the time who suggested Pilates to me. After two sessions I was hooked. I could see immediately the benefits I was going to get from Pilates.

After a year of strengthening and gaining flexibility, I decided to train as a teacher and have not looked back since. My back continues to improve. Because of my injuries I feel I can sympathise with my clients when they are suffering from muscle strains and back problems. But more importantly I know not to challenge them too quickly if they're not ready to be challenged.