In July 2025, after 22 months of training with Matty, I changed coaches.
That sounds straightforward written in a sentence. Making the decision, telling him, and getting through our final training session felt considerably harder.
Matty had been there from the beginning of my gym journey in September 2023. He met someone who was nervous, inexperienced and still discovering whether he belonged in a gym at all. Over the months that followed, he helped me build confidence, find enjoyment in training and begin to believe I could do more than I had imagined.
We had a lot of shared history by July 2025. We had even run the Great North Run together in September 2024.
So changing coaches carried a considerable emotional weight.
The difficult conversation
After almost two years, training with someone becomes a familiar part of your week. They know you, your capabilities and the moments when you need encouragement. You build trust through all those sessions together.
I found it difficult to tell Matty I was going to make a change. I valued what we had built, and I was grateful for everything he had helped me achieve. Finding the words to explain my decision was hard.
Our last training session was sad. It marked the end of something that had become a very important part of my life.
Matty will always have a place in this story. He helped me fall in love with gym life, and those 22 months gave me foundations I still build on today.
Starting with Carol
In July 2025, I began training with Carol West, through her business, Carol West Coaching.
Carol usually coaches women, but she made an exception for me. Something I remain very pleased about!
Working with her brought a new structure to my training and nutrition. Alongside our sessions together, she programmes my solo training, sets my meal plans and reviews my progress through regular check-ins.
That means the whole week has a purpose. My training with Carol, the sessions I complete on my own, my food and my recovery all fit into the same plan.
There is accountability too. Each Friday, I submit my weight, waist measurement and front, side and back progress photographs. Those check-ins give us something concrete to review and help guide what comes next.
The programme develops as I do. What I am working on now reflects my current goals and the phase of training I am in.
Coaching and friendship
Carol is also my friend, and that matters to me.
There is room for laughter alongside the hard work. I value being able to enjoy her company while also trusting her to challenge me, guide my training and keep an eye on the bigger picture.
Our sessions have become an important part of my week. As my strength and confidence continue to develop, I am finding new things to work towards—and learning more about what progress looks like for me.
Giving both chapters their place
Looking back, the change in July 2025 deserves more than a passing mention.
It was a difficult decision, an emotional goodbye and the beginning of another important relationship in my fitness journey.
I am grateful to Matty for helping me get started and for everything we achieved together. I am grateful to Carol for taking me on and helping me continue to grow.
Both belong in the story of how I got here.
And the story is still being written.