As a child, I never really connected with traditional school sports. Team games just weren’t my thing – but I absolutely loved ballet and dance. Movement, expression, and discipline came naturally through the rhythm of music, and I spent years immersed in that world. I even helped teach ballet at my local dance school, continuing lessons right up until I left for university at 18.
I bring both personal insight and professional training to every session, along with over 30 years of rowing experience and years of coaching people of all ages and abilities.
My credentials :
I take a structured, step-by-step approach to coaching – helping you learn new skills, improve your movement patterns, and build sustainable habits that fit your lifestyle.
I work with women who want to feel strong, capable, and in control of their health again – whether that means getting back into exercise after a break, training through menopause, or preparing for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
You don’t need to be “fit enough” to start. You just need the willingness to show up – and I’ll meet you where you are.
I believe that fitness should be empowering, not overwhelming.
I don’t believe in fad diets, punishing workouts, or one-size-fits-all programmes. I coach with empathy, structure, and a strong foundation in science-backed training. I believe in small, consistent steps that lead to big, lasting change and resilience.
And I believe every woman – regardless of age or background – deserves to feel strong in her body and confident in her life.
Everything changed at university when a few friends dragged me along to a rowing taster session. I didn’t expect much – but that first outing on the water sparked something in me. The rhythm, the teamwork, the early mornings on the Thames – it all lit a fire that’s never really gone out.
Rowing became my outlet, my passion, and my escape. But as life moved on – with a career, children, and changing priorities – fitness became harder to hold on to.
After having children, I really struggled to regain my fitness and feel like myself again. I pushed hard to get back into shape, signing up for a bootcamp and training with determination – only to injure my back on the monkey bars. That was a huge setback, both physically and mentally.
Recovery was slow, but I worked patiently with a personal trainer to regain my mobility and rebuild my strength. Just as I was starting to feel progress, I hit the next challenge: menopause.
Fighting fatigue, weight gain, aching joints, brain fog, and mood swings – all while managing an underactive thyroid – was exhausting. It felt like a never-ending uphill battle. But bit by bit, through persistence, support, and small wins, things began to shift.
I rediscovered my love for rowing – this time on coastal waters – and my confidence started to return. In 2023, I joined a crew of four incredible women to take on the World’s Toughest Row: a 3,000-mile crossing of the Atlantic Ocean. Training for the challenge was intense, and it’s during this time that I discovered strength training – and fell in love with it.
The feeling of getting stronger, week by week, was transformative. The aching stopped. The hot flushes eased. I lost 20kg. I could feel my body coming back to life – and my mood? Let’s just say the whole family noticed the difference!
Strength training didn’t just change my body; it changed my mindset. It helped me feel powerful again. Capable. Energised. Like me.
And I knew I didn’t want to leave that behind after the row. I wanted to help other women – especially those going through life’s messy middle – discover what they’re truly capable of.
That’s why I created Resilient Health and Fitness. To support women like you through life’s transitions – whether it’s motherhood, menopause, or a bold new challenge – and to help you build real strength and resilience, inside and out.
“If you feel like you’ve lost your strength – I’m here to help you find it again.”
Alongside individual coaching, I also work with rowing teams – whether you’re aiming to improve performance on the water or preparing for a major challenge like the World’s Toughest Row.
My approach is fully adaptable to your team’s goals, training preferences, and physical starting point. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all programme – it’s a tailored system that supports the unique dynamics of your crew, whether you’re chasing coastal race wins or building endurance for ocean rowing.
At the heart of my training philosophy is resilience – not just mental toughness, but physical robustness too. Building strength, improving movement efficiency, and developing injury- prevention strategies are all critical to sustaining long-term performance, especially in high-load environments like rowing.
I’ve worked with both male and female teams, so no – you don’t need to be an all-female crew to work with me! My insight comes not just from coaching, but from personal experience too – as I prepare to row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic as part of a four-woman crew.
Whether you’re racing locally or crossing an ocean, I’ll help your team move stronger, stay injury- free, and build the resilience needed to go the distance – together.
Alongside individual coaching, I also work with rowing teams – whether youre aiming to improve performance on the water or preparing for a major challenge like the World’s Toughest Row.
My approach is fully adaptable to your team’s goals, training preferences, and physical starting point. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all programme – it’s a tailored system that supports the unique dynamics of your crew, whether youre chasing coastal race wins or building endurance for ocean rowing.
At the heart of my training philosophy is resilience – not just mental toughness, but physical robustness too.
Building strength, improving movement efficiency, and developing injury- prevention strategies are all critical to sustaining long-term performance, especially in high-load environments like rowing.
I’ve worked with both male and female teams, so no – you don’t need to be an all-female crew to work with me! My insight comes not just from coaching, but from personal experience too – as I prepare to row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic as part of a four-woman crew.
Whether youre racing locally or crossing an ocean, I’ll help your team move stronger, stay injury- free, and build the resilience needed to go the distance – together.
Outside of training and coaching, you’ll usually find me out on the water with OARsome Adventure Rowing exploring the Essex coast, planning my next adventure, or spending time with my family. I love a good spreadsheet, a strong coffee, and the feeling of calm after a tough training session.
Outside of training and coaching, you’ll usually find me out on the water with OARsome Adventure Rowing exploring the Essex coast, planning my next adventure, or spending time with my family. I love a good spreadsheet, a strong coffee, and the feeling of calm after a tough training session.
Want to learn more?
or email me at Sam@resilienthealthandfitness.co.uk
Or just say hello over on Instagram: @resilienthealthandfitnesscrew
