From David Beckham’s World Cup qualifying goal against Greece in 2001, to when Jessica Ennis was crowned Olympic heptathlon champion at the London 2012 Olympics, the triumphs of respected athletes act as great motivation for us all to become fit and healthy, inspiring a nation full of sporting hopefuls.
But when the careers of these sporting pros naturally come to an end, what inspires them to continue following their passion for health and fitness for years to come?
When Dame Kelly Holmes retired from competitive sport in 2004, other retired sportsmen and women inspired her to establish the Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust (DKHLT), to encourage a new generation of British athletes.
Similarly, Britain’s most decorated swimmer, Rebecca Adlington, was inspired by her vision to have no child leave primary school unable to swim 25 metres, and used her retirement to launch ‘Becky Adlington’s SwimStars’- a programme to teach children how to swim ‘the Becky way’.
For our most recent student, Victoria Pendleton, inspiration comes from her own mission to promote positive body image and encourage members of the public to get moving.
She’s studying to become a personal trainer with Fitness First Academies, powered by The Training Room, and her passion for promoting the benefits of healthy living has shone through in the hard work and dedication she’s put into her training away from the velodrome, despite her already gruelling schedule.
What’s amazing about these sporting icons is the fact that, even when they’re at the peak of their physical performance, they don’t stop learning. They channel their passion for sport through other means, by instilling it into a whole new generation.
But you don’t need an Olympic Gold medal to pursue a career in fitness- all you need to share with these athletes is the commitment and drive to go after what you want. We’ll handle the rest and put you on the path to success that rivals the best in the industry.
To find out how you can get started, read our information about Personal Training courses and careers