A Plymouth woman who took the plunge to launch her personal training business just weeks before COVID struck has not only seen her enterprise thrive during and after the pandemic, but has also just won a top national award.
Emily Keen, who is 32 and lives in St Judes, had been running her personal training classes alongside her job as gym manager at Fort Stamford Health & Fitness in Turnchapel for a number of years.
But in December 2019 she decided to go fully self-employed, not knowing what was about to happen with the pandemic.
The ensuing lockdown meant that Emily organised all her sessions online via Zoom – and to her delight the business really blossomed.
Emily said:
“The lockdown really helped my online sessions for groups and individuals. To my amazement I even had clients joining from the USA, Spain and other parts of the world – as well as from all over Plymouth and Devon.”
At the start of October this year Emily was nominated for Best Fitness Business in the England Business Awards.
After being mystery shopped and voted for by clients, friends and family, she travelled to Bristol with her mum Sharon for the regional awards – and was surprised and delighted to be named as the Best Fitness Business in Devon.
Two weeks later she travelled to Birmingham with her partner Kieran, dad Paul and brother James for the national awards ceremony – and this time was named as the Best Fitness Business in England.
“When I went to Bristol for the regional awards I was extremely nervous,” said Emily, who has a degree in health and fitness from Plymouth Marjon University and a Masters in health and sports science from Exeter University.
“When my name was called I couldn’t believe it and then at the national finals I was in total shock when they announced me as the best in the country.”
Emily’s popularity continues to grow and she works with between 60 and 70 clients every week with classes in the gym at Fort Stamford, outdoor sessions at Mount Batten, online workouts and one-to-one sessions with clients at their homes.
“I am so happy to have won the awards, but for me the most satisfying thing is helping people to improve their health and fitness. I am privileged to have such a wonderful group of clients, some of whom have been with me for a number of years.”
For more information visit www.emilykeenpersonaltraining.co.uk
