Mum-of-13 and DA Survivor Launches Newest Fitness Craze to Help Empower Others in Kent
Added: (Sun Aug 29 2021)
Pressbox (Press Release) -
About Me:
My name is Tania. I live in Maidstone, Kent, UK and am a mum-of-13. Yes, you read that right.
Thirteen.
I am also a POUND® Pro, a Personal Trainer specialising in fitness for beginners at www.blueoceanfitness.co.uk, a qualified Rescue Diver, Divemaster and Marketer for www.blueoceandiving.co.uk, and a writer on all things travel, diving and fitness-related.
My Story:
Over the last five years I have been through a series of setbacks and difficulties. These troubles turned my life upside down, inside out and left me in the depths of despair and struggling to cope with life to the point where I didn’t want to live another day.
The one thing that continually saved me was exercise and staying physically active.
I don’t think I would still be here if it wasn’t for discovering the effects of being fit and active.
I didn’t always enjoy working out.
In fact, I was very overweight, which isn’t surprising having given birth to 13 children (10 of them within 11 years), and trying to present a happy family image in a life that was anything but.
In 2015 my brother, my only sibling, was diagnosed with leukaemia. He was the fittest, strongest, healthiest person I knew. Thanks to his level of fitness, he was able to undergo the most aggressive treatment available to try and beat this evil disease.
I realised that should anything happen to me, I was too fat, unfit and unhealthy to cope with the slightest battle, let alone anything more.
My brother was the catalyst to me sorting myself out. In looking for information I Googled everything I could on leukaemia and found an article that said obese people could not be donors. This information turned out to be false, but it did kick start me into doing something about my weight and my health.
My journey started at the end of November 2015, when my brother introduced me to a programme called DDP Yoga. It was through diligently following these workouts created by some American wrestler I had never heard of or had any interest in, that the weight began to drop.
As my brother was undergoing treatment in isolation on a hospital ward, my father was then diagnosed with cancer. We sadly lost him only ten weeks after his diagnosis.
Then my brother lost his fight five months after that.
Within one year my childhood family had halved. It was just me and my mum left.
Before he died, my brother told me a few things that stuck with me.
‘Don’t sink, Tania,’ he said. ‘When Papu [Greek for Grandad] died, I drank. I didn’t feel good. When Yiayia [Greek for Nan] died, I hit the gym.’
‘I’m proud of you, sis.’
And the one that absolutely made me re-think my life, my purpose and how so much needed to change:
‘You’re not happy, Tania.’
He was so right. And he was just about the only person who could not only see it, but called me out on it.
Life wasn’t good. Despite the public image and the mask I wore daily, I was in an emotionally and financially abusive relationship. I had never heard of coercive control. My husband had told me for years: ‘But I’m not hitting you.’
And so I didn’t believe I was being abused.
I had known nothing else since I was a teenager.
And yet, one day, I phoned a mental health helpline, begging and pleading.
Someone had to help me.
I had finally had enough.
18 weeks of counselling ensued. The realisation that the treatment I had been receiving for almost 30 years was not right. Facing up to the fact that this life I was living was not normal. That I had been gradually ground down, repeatedly, over and over, time and time again, being told I was not enough.
Not attractive enough.
Not thin enough.
Not smart enough.
Not pretty enough.
Not good enough.
Not.
Enough.
That the reasons that s*x rooms and p*rn sites and s*xting women had been happening for over twenty years and continued to happen was because of me.
Not him.
Me.
Because I wasn’t enough.
‘If you were….’
‘If you did….’
‘If you didn’t….’
‘If you weren’t…’
Get the picture?
A friend once told me: ‘If I could just cut that thread that keeps you tied to Mike, I know you will fly.’
Then one day, I realised that not only was I enough, I was way, way more than that.
I decided to finally get out of this marriage and rebuild my life.
It was time to learn to fly.
Working out became my way to cope.
And over 60lbs of weight fell, my health improved and my confidence grew and grew and grew!
I am enough.
I am more than enough.
In fact, I am bloody incredible.
Over the last five years I have been working on myself. My health, my fitness, my self esteem and my confidence.
Last year, I decided to take everything I have learned and all my experiences I have had, and to get qualified so that I can pay it forward and help other women in the same boat.
Writing about it, speaking about it, and walking the walk as well as talking the talk.
Helping others discover their worth and raising their confidence through realising that their health and fitness matters. And no matter what you’ve been through or what life has thrown at you, you can do this.
It’s already in you.
I am now taking on clients as a Personal Trainer, specialising in fitness for beginners through my business, Blue Ocean Fitness.
And I am especially excited to have qualified as a POUND® Fitness Instructor and bring the most enjoyable, fun and empowering workout to Kent!
If you’ve been beaten down by life, if you feel unattractive, unhealthy and lost your confidence, and you don’t know where to even begin, I am here.
It’s time to ROCKOUT and WORK OUT!
What is POUND® Rockout Workout?
• ◊ POUND® Rockout Workout is a cardio jam session inspired by playing the drums. Instead of listening to music, you become the music in this exhilarating full-body workout that combines cardio, conditioning, and strength training with yoga and Pilates-inspired movements.
But I'm not fit! Or co-ordinated!
• ◊ POUND® is designed for all fitness levels, and provides the perfect atmosphere for letting loose, getting energized, toning up and rockin’ out! The workout is easily modifiable, and the alternative vibe and welcoming philosophy appeals to men and women of all ages and abilities. You can even work out while seated! Don't worry about co-ordination - the beauty of POUND® is that you can't get it wrong - you just make it your own!
• ◊ POUND® is a workout revolution and lifestyle brand that aims to change minds before bodies and use beat and alternative movement to launch people to new heights of self-worth, happiness, and human connection. Fun, laughs, friendship and stress-relief guaranteed!
• ◊ Using Ripstix®, lightly weighted drumsticks engineered specifically for exercising, POUND transforms drumming into an incredibly effective way of working out.
What do you need for a POUND® Rockout Workout?
• ◊ Simply bring your own yoga mat, a bottle of water, and a Rockstar Attitude! If you don't have a mat or don't want to invest in one before trying, let me know at the time of booking and I'll bring one for you.
Do I need my own Ripstix®?
• No. You can borrow a set of ours. We do have new Ripstix® available for sale on request.
If you have never tried POUND® Rockout Workout before, please do not worry - drum solos are encouraged. You're bound to see me rock my own too!
Remember, if you get it 'wrong', you're making it your own. If we ALL get it 'wrong', then it's RIGHT!
I’m ready to rock out! Where can I join in?!
Classes are held at Pegasus Gymnastics Club, Tovil, Maidstone, every Wednesday at 4pm, 5pm and 6pm and every Friday at 10am.
How much does it cost?
£6.50 per class or pre-book a set of 5 classes to be redeemed whenever suitable for you, for just £25 (saving a total of £7.50 on booking 5 classes individually).
How can I book a class?
To book a class, please contact Tania via the following:
• Phone, text or WhatsApp on 07761 867 123
• Email at getfit@blueoceanfitness.co.uk
• Website: www.blueoceanfitness.co.uk
I know a venue and I’d love us to run classes there. Can you instruct and host classes with us?
I sure can! Please contact Tania via the following:
• Phone, text or WhatsApp on 07761 867 123
• Email at getfit@blueoceanfitness.co.uk
• Website: www.blueoceanfitness.co.uk
Generation Pound for Kids aged 6-12 years-old coming soon!
Find out more about POUND® or about booking a personal training session with me at Blue Ocean Fitness. Or why not get a group of friends together to book your own private group session and have fun while getting fit?
• Phone, text or WhatsApp on 07761 867 123
• Email at getfit@blueoceanfitness.co.uk
• Website: www.blueoceanfitness.co.uk