About Paul
Are you seeking a young personal trainer – fresh out of school or college? You’re in the wrong place!
Yes it’s true, I’m 51 myself and I specialise in working with people over 40. Many of my clients quite literally grow older with me. My oldest current client is over 80, and the average age of people I train is in their 50s.
I don’t have to guess what a progressively ageing body feels like – I’m living it too.
I didn’t start out athletic
Exercise didn’t come easily to me early in life. At school, I wasn’t athletic. I didn’t have a lean body type. I wasn’t confident, and I was often last to be picked for sports teams.
What I did learn over time was resilience — and how consistent, enjoyable exercise builds confidence that goes far beyond the physical.
That understanding still shapes how I coach today.
I understand the office culture
Before retraining, I spent around 15 years in office-based roles. I worked as a researcher, a learning, training & development project coordinator, and later as a civil servant.
Eventually, I realised my purpose wasn’t to sit at a desk from 9–5, managing stress and unwinding in the pub several nights a week. I wanted direct, meaningful contact with people — and work that actually made a difference.
So in 2010, I changed direction and retrained as a Master Trainer with the European Institute of Fitness (EIF), training at the National Sports Centre in Lilleshall, UK. Specialisms I developed further included:
Strength and sports conditioning
Clinical exercise & exercise referral
Nutrition and weight management
Core strengthening & functional training
Training for special populations — including over-50s, obesity, diabetes, and chronic health conditions
I also brought with me skills developed since university — including rowing.
I went on to work as a personal trainer with the prestigious Chiswick-based Hogarth Group, where I also introduced Concept2 crew rowing to the former Park Club (Health Club) — drawing on my own background as a Thames-based rower. I later worked within the NHS / Public Health system in exercise referral, while building my Dorking and Surrey Hills business.
Over the years I’ve trained hundreds of clients, accumulating thousands of hours of hands-on coaching experience.
Coaching the person, not just the body
More recently, In 2024, I completed a Life (Transformative) Coaching training with ANIMAS, specialising in non-directive coaching methodology. This added depth to the habit, mindset, and behaviour-change skills I had already developed through EIF.
This means I don’t just tell people what to do. I listen. I adapt. I help people build change that actually lasts.
That said — when accountability matters, I’m direct and no-nonsense.
The Next Step
Would you prefer to train with someone older, more experienced – with someone who really gets the issues that you face? You’re in the right place.
Get in touch today
Your first 60 minute session is entirely FREE. Let’s meet a local café and get to the heart of what you’re facing and what you want to change. I’ll show you how to prepare and get your backside off your seat!
