TOGETHER our mission is to inspire children, parents, and families to lead a happier, healthier lifestyle.
I lost confidence in myself and my ability to care for my son, to be a good mother. I was running day-to-day life through fear and anxiety, eager to JUST GET THROUGH my day. I knew there was more to life than a constant daily struggle to be a good mum, run my own business, and be a single parent, BUT I didn’t know how to do it. I kept asking myself: how can I get out of this roller-coaster rut? The feelings of rejection, failure, and not being accepted were my biggest FEAR. Through my journey, I realised that only I could change this, nobody else. Years of self-doubt and self-sabotage, of not reaching my goals, FINALLY led me to STAND UP TO MY FEAR, to face it straight on and say, “I CAN DO THIS.” I needed to accept myself, I needed to love myself unconditionally, and I needed to learn that only my approval mattered, nobody else’s. Before that, I believed that thinking of ME, MYSELF AND I was a selfish outlook. But if there is an emergency when you are on a flight, who is the first person you protect? They always say you must first put on your own oxygen mask so that you are well enough to help others. I realized that I have to look after my own health so that I am well enough give my best to my son. That’s the only way for me to be a good mum for the long-term.
During this time, I began to consider new ways to pass on my passions while using my talents for physical fitness and motivating others. I had often thought of all the things I wanted my son to get from his activities – Rio takes part in many sports activities, but I wanted something for him that covered health, mind, and body, as well as physical activity, something that would help him to bring out the best in himself, whatever his interests may be. Because of my own experiences, I want him to learn about all the things I didn't know and wish I had known before I left school, learning in a way that is FUN, CREATIVE AND IMAGINATIVE.
'...inspiring children to love who they are, just the way they are...'
It was then that I decided to create my own academy…creating something both for me and for my son. It needed to come from the heart and be something about which I am truly passionate: inspiring children to love who they are, just the way they are. This simple concept is so, so important to self-esteem and confidence. Making it my central mission, I have used all of my skills in theatre, performing, fitness, and teaching to guide me to build something bigger, something with meaning and passion for kids.
And so FITkidz Academy was born! Rio became my BIGGEST fan and inspiration for getting my business off the ground. Together we have BIG plans and GOALS. We post daily on Instagram because we want to share our excitement for what we are doing. We love what we do and working from the heart feels much better than working from the ego.