Meet Leon

POLCE OFFICER
TURNED GB ATHLETE

My Career

I was born in Yorkshire, grew up in a small town called Batley, and later moved to Cardiff to pursue a BSc in Physical Education. During my university years, I worked in schools as a Teaching assistant, Cover supervisor, Behavioural pastoral teacher, Welsh Athletics coach, and personal trainer. My passion for working with both children and adults, coupled with my personal goals and achievements, made me realise that helping people was my true calling in life. This fuelled my desire to become a Police Officer, to make a real difference!

What I noticed, from making a career shift from working with individuals from sporting backgrounds to shift workers, is that many struggle to manage their time around and find themselves neglecting their health and left feeling sluggish, demotivated, and self-conscious. I decided to take it upon myself to use my sporting expertise and experience in the fitness industry to help individuals shred stubborn belly fat and gain an unshakeable mindset.

My Sporting Journey

My sporting journey started in sprinting. I successfully competed at an international level, participating in the 100, 200, and 400 metres. Just when my dreams seemed within reach, shortly after relocating down south to pursue a career as an online fitness coach, surgeons delivered the devastating news that ‘I would never sprint again’.

As an athlete, this news was the worst blow imaginable. I grappled with self-doubt, demotivation, and a temporary victim mindset. However, I gave myself the necessary reality check, endured the challenging rollercoaster journey, and came out the other side! I proved the surgeons wrong, rebuilt my foundations, and returned physically and mentally stronger than before.

With everything to gain and nothing to lose, I trialled for the Great Britain Bobsleigh team in 2022 and earned a spot on the GB1 team, contributing to a highly successful season.

Skills I help others to achieve through my experience:

Resilience: Dealing with setbacks in both sports and personal life required the resilience to bounce back stronger from adversity.
Self-Motivation: Keeping the drive alive amidst doubts and setbacks was essential in staying focused on goals.
Adaptability: Being able to adapt plans and strategies in response to changing circumstances, like the unexpected news from the surgeons, was key.
Time Management: Balancing full time shift work, coaching, training, and personal life necessitated excellent time management skills.
Mindset Shift: Moving from a temporary victim mindset to a more empowered one was critical to overcoming obstacles.
Goal-Oriented Focus: Maintaining a clear vision of personal and professional goals helped stay on track despite challenges.
Commitment and Discipline: The commitment to continuous improvement and disciplined training schedules were vital for both athletics and professional roles.
Persistence: Continuing to strive for success even when faced with difficulties was fundamental to achieving goals despite obstacles.
Adaptation: Adapting training methods, professional approaches, and personal mindset to new circumstances was crucial in overcoming limitations.
Openness to Opportunity: Being open to seizing unexpected opportunities, like the chance to trial for the bobsleigh team, was a key attribute that led to further success.