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

- Increase strength
- Improve performance in other sporting disciplines

- Improve flexibility

- 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, I've also gone on to complete my Classical Pilates Apparatus training with the fabulous Alison Salmond (STOTT® PILATES and NEW YORK PILATES STUDIO® certified). I've also attended workshops and classes with 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. This changed my teaching massively by giving me an insight into what is going on inside the body when we move.

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

- Injury Rehabilitation (incl. Back Pain)

- Athletic Conditioning

- Postnatal Recovery and Pelvic Floor Issues

My true aim as a teacher is to help my clients reach their goals by 'educating their mind to understand their body.'

When I'm not teaching, I also Mum to 2 teenage boys and a bit of a rock chick. So you'll either find me running around after them or having the time of my life bouncing around at a concert!

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 - Classical Reformer Teacher Training
Alison Salmond Osteopilates - Classical Cadillac/Tower Teacher Training
Alison Salmond Osteopilates - Classical Wunda Chair Teacher Training
Alison Salmond Osteopilates - Classical Ladder Barrel & Small Barrels Teacher Training
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..."