Growing up, movement and sport were the cornerstones of my life. From the moment I first donned tiny ballet shoes at age two, I fell in love with the joy of expression through dance. This passion extended into sports as I got older. At seven, I started playing short tennis, and it wasn’t long before I became the Rotherham Under-7s champion—a title I was so proud of.
By ten, I graduated to full tennis, joining a county squad where I honed my skills and fell deeper in love with the game. Agassi was the poster on my bedroom wall throughout my teenage years.
My life was a blend of dance rehearsals, tennis matches, and, come winter, taking part in pantomimes. I loved the energy and camaraderie that came with being part of a team or a cast. I wasn’t just building skills but also friendships and confidence.
But alongside this active childhood, my health told a different story. At just four years old, I was diagnosed with shingles—a condition surprising to my mum, as she didn’t know I’d ever had chickenpox. It was the start of what felt like a pattern. If there was a sickness bug going around, I was almost guaranteed to catch it. My parents regularly had to call the doctor for stomach cramps and vomiting, and illness often seemed to knock me off my feet.
Things changed dramatically in my teens, my immune system turned a corner. From my teenage years to my mid-20s, I rarely got sick. I felt as strong as an ox, throwing myself into life with boundless energy and my love for sport shaped my educational choices too. It felt natural to attend Loughborough University, known for its sporting excellence, to study Sports Science and Maths. Being surrounded by like-minded peers further fueled my passion for an active lifestyle. When I had finished university, I embarked on a new adventure as a Camp America Counselor, where I taught dance and drama to young campers. It was an unforgettable summer that introduced me to new people and places. Once camp ended, I was lucky enough to travel from Charlevoix to Chicago, then onto Florida, New York, San Fransisco, and finally LA. It was a whirlwind journey of exploration, independence, and memories.
This sense of invincibility carried me into adulthood. At 23, I moved to London and started a fast-paced career in media sales. It was a busy life filled with work events, socialising, and running with a colleague in my spare time. Together, we entered our first 5k, followed by a 10k, and eventually my first half marathon in Reading—an experience I’ll never forget and still my personal best.
These years were full of joy and movement. Little did I know, my relationship with sport was about to face its biggest test. Read Part 2 for more.
