Nikki Gudgeon
Age - 43
Occupation - Care Support Worker in Cardiology
Training with Mark - 8 years
Service used - 1-2-1 personal training
Favourite movie - Elf
Random fact - Has a dog that won a first place in her class at Crufts
Personal Challenges
A disc protrusion, degenerative disc disease, facet joint hypertrophy, scoliosis, reduction of lordosis, and 2 incidental vertebral haemanglomas, arthritic knees (to name a few problems )
Daily lower back pain
Carrying more fat than she'd like
Strengthening her core (lower back)
Low confidence in the gym and her ability
Understanding what she can and can't do in the gym without making her back worse
Having an all or nothing mindset
Strategies used to overcome challenges
Designing a progressive resistance programme using key exercises that strengthen her lower back and surrounding muscles
Constant re-evaluations of her lower back every session to gauge what is working and isn't
Slowly build her confidence through resistance training
Setting challenges to keep interest in her training
Spent time helping her realise consistency is the key not an all or nothing approach
Memorable moments
Losing well over 3 stone in weight
Being able to lift heavy weights she'd never thought possible with her back problems
Coping with her back problems
Learning what her body can and can't do in regards to her lower back problems
How did you feel about yourself/weight/person etc. before working with Mark? What sort person were you?
I felt fat, lazy and overweight! A typical go-to dieter, but hadn't found anything I could stick to longterm. I hated the gym and any other type of exersise. I had been on every single diet invented! So knew it was time to try something else.
What did you try in the past to solve that problem before using Mark?
I had been coming to the gym and using a previous PT and had started a little running, plus every single diet on the planet 🤣
Why did you choose Mark to help you achieve your health and fitness goals?
Mark was training other clients in my gym. He seemed to know his stuff and I wasn't happy with my current trainer. I felt he was pushing me too hard and I was fed up with feeling so sore for days after a workout!
How is/was working with Mark different from what you had previously tried?
Mark listens to everything you say and he is keen to help you achieve any goals you set. He has professional and a super friendly approach. It was way more relaxed than any other session I had ever had. Oh and it hurt less but I saw faster results than before.
What problems have you overcome since working with Mark? Could be nutritional, injuries, habits, confidence, weight loss etc.
I suffer with many 'old age' type syndromes, and my back is a huge problem. I have had several surgeries and each time Mark is there to ready help me get back on track. He helps adapt workouts and makes training fun.
After working with Mark how do you feel now? Do you feel different? Describe the person you are now.
I feel so much fitter, I've lost around 3 stone (had lost more but I accept this will fluctuate in life with my back problems) the biggest thing is getting back on track and Mark helps massively with this every time! I now have the confidence to walk in my own gym alone headphones in - get amongst the knuckleheads and smash out a workout!
What advice would you give someone that is 'on the fence' about using a coach to help them achieve their goals?
Try it! You have nothing to loose.....well except that fat 😜
