A Little Bit About Me

I was born and bred in Newcastle, I spent much of my life working as a Graphic Designer in the retail sector. After finding a love for fitness, I made the leap from Designer to full-time Teacher in 2015.

My own Pilates journey started more than 20 years ago after a serious fall in my late teens left me with a severe back injury. With the aid of Pilates, I managed to rehab back to full strength and since then I've been a huge advocate of how amazing the method is to:

- Improve health

- Low impact resistance/strength training

- Increasing mobility, flexibility, coordination and balance

- Promoting strong bones

- Aid Balance

- improve Posture

- Reducing lower back and other joint pain

Most importantly...keep me free from injury and back pain.

After originally certifying as a STOTT® PILATES Mat teacher in 2017, I've gone on to complete my Classical Pilates Full Certification training (500 hours) with Alison Salmond (STOTT® PILATES and NEW YORK PILATES STUDIO® certified). I've also attended many workshops and classes with renowned Classical Pilates teachers Alan Herdman, Marjorie Oron, Kathy Ross Nash, Rebecca Convey & Ernesto Pena.

My thirst for knowledge and love of the method has led me to study Pilates more in depth.

I have a special interest in Pilates for Athletic Conditioning, Back Care and Injury Rehab. Having completed speciality athletic conditioning programmes as well as a Post Graduate Pilates Certificates in Pilates for Long Term Medical Conditions, injuries & Special Populations.

I've always had a passion for anatomy and how the body functions; which is what led me to further my knowledge and cross-over to certify in Sports Massage Therapy and Myofascial Release & Movement. Studying these changed my teaching massively by giving me an insight into exactly what is going on inside the body when we move.

I love to share just how amazing the pilates method is for:

- Injury Rehabilitation (incl. Back Pain)

- Postnatal Recovery and Pelvic Floor Issues

- Enhancing performance in other sports such as CrossFit, Powerlifting, Running, Swimming etc.

In my spare time, I love keeping myself in shape at my local CrossFit box. I'm also Mum to 2 teenage boys, so I have to stay strong to keep up with them! So when I'm not teaching, you'll either find me running around after them or smashing out some PB's in the gym!!

My Qualifications/Certifications

Fitness
L2 Fitness Instructor (ETM)
L3 Pre & Post Natal
Merrithew - ZEN-GA Instructor

ZEN•GA® Instructor Foundation Course, Equipment, Level 1

Pilates
STOTT PILATES - Intensive Mat Plus

STOTT PILATES - Advanced Mat
STOTT PILATES - Injuries & Special Populations
STOTT PILATES - Pre & Postnatal Mat
Alison Salmond Osteopilates - Fully Certified Classical Teacher
Alison Salmond Osteopilates - Post-graduate Pilates Certificate in Long Term Medical Conditions

Therapy, Rehab & Nutrition
L3 Sports Massage
L3 Nutrition For Physical Activity

Intrinsic Biomechanics
Sports Nutrition
The Roll Model Method - Self Myofascial Release - Jill Miller
Rolling Along The Anatomy Trains - Jill Miller and Tom Myers

Merrithew Fascial Movement

Merrithew® Myofascial Continuities: Mapping the Human Design

Pilates & Fitness CPDs

Alison Salmond & Julie Driver - Return to Life: A Mat Mastermind (Classical Pilates)

STOTT PILATES - Flowing Sequences with Conditioning Towel

STOTT PILATES - Reformer with the Fitness Circle

STOTT PILATES - Athletic Conditioning on the Reformer

STOTT PILATES - Athletic Conditioning on the Reformer L2

STOTT PILATES - Athletic Conditioning on the Reformer L3

STOTT PILATES - Athletic Conditioning with a Twist Ball

STOTT PILATES - Athletic Conditioning on the Cardiotramp/Jumpboard

STOTT PILATES - Vertical Frame (Tower)

STOTT PILATES - Functional Towel Workout
STOTT PILATES - Matwork Strength & Stability

STOTT PILATES - Flexion Free on the Mat
STOTT PILATES - BodyWeight Training on the Mat

STOTT PILATES - Prenatal Pilates on the Mat

STOTT PILATES - Post-natal Pilates on the Mat

STOTT PILATES - Interval Training on the Crossbow and Jumpboard

STOTT PILATES - Rotational Discs on the Mat

STOTT PILATES - Matwork Flow with Weights

STOTT PILATES - Enhanced Tone & Conditioning on the Stability Chair

STOTT PILATES - Stability Chair Flow

STOTT PILATES - Active Ageing on the Stability Chair

STOTT PILATES - Centered Strength with a Flex Band

Merrithew - ZEN-GA V2 Vinyasa on the V2 Max PlusTM Reformer, Level 2

Kettlebells

Suspension Training

What have my clients got to say?

"Why do I love Steph?

Steph is absolutely hands down one of my favourite coaches I have ever had and actually only the second female coach I have ever had! As previously I have never been able to have that connection..

I have been working with her for over a year and I have never had a coach who is so inspirational, knowledgable and so genuine..

She can challenge you to achieve your goals and will ensure to push you to get the results (which I can tell you I need) but everything always comes from the heart and will be your absolute cheerleader when you need it! She is there whenever you need that additional support or guidance..."