Sheffield woman turned her life around to develop fitness company after redundancy
When Beth Blake lost her job overnight, after the gym she’d worked at for years closed suddenly, she thought she’d hit rock bottom.
But thanks to her determination and positive attitude, she’s built a business which is the first of its kind in the UK.
Sheffield-based Jazzy B Fitness has been a labour of love for Beth, who has been passionate about fitness for as long as she can remember.
Having decided not to go to university, she began working in a gym at 18, quickly earning her stripes as a gym instructor and personal trainer. Her job at a high-end health club saw her attract double the number of clients her colleagues had, even though moments of self-doubt and anxiety made her question whether she was good enough.
It was when she got the news of her redundancy after two and a half years that she was faced with a dilemma - give up her passion and get a nine to five job or go it alone.
She began offering personal training in the local area, with a special 50 per cent discount.
Straight away Beth had eight new clients, and with two sessions each a week she was able to start building her business. Along with the personal training, Beth qualified as an official boxercise instructor and started running classes before the trend took off.
News quickly got around, and today Beth is one of the most sought-after fitness professionals in the Sheffield area, with a thriving business.Jazzy B Fitness now has four streams to the business (boxercise, corporate clients, personal training and online coaching) and Beth runs the largest boxercise classes in the UK. Beth said: “I’ve always been a big believer in the power of exercise when it comes to looking after our mental health, as well as the physical side.
“Running my business has come with many challenges and anxieties, but I know from experience that focussing on fitness is a great way to release endorphins and get yourself unstuck.
“ I love what I do, and it’s a real honour for me to be supporting so many people in changing their lives through exercise.”To contact Beth email [email protected] or visit www.jazzybfitness.co.uk