Fiona's Problem

Fiona came to me in October 2023 with something I see often: a strong desire to train, and an old injury that made her cautious.

Her left knee had been acting up for years — enough to make the idea of barbell squats feel intimidating, even dangerous.

“I had a phobia of the barbell squat… but with the right adaptations to address my knee, I can now squat pain-free.”

💡 Tip 1: Training Around Pain Is Not the Same as Ignoring It

Too many people assume pain means stop — or worse, that it’s something they have to “push through.”

The truth is, pain is information. With Fiona, we didn’t avoid squats entirely — we adapted them. We:

• Modified her stance to reduce joint stress

• Focused on controlled tempo work

• Added unilateral and isometric work to build support around the knee

• Gradually reintroduced the barbell with confidence

Takeaway: You don’t have to “sit out” movements forever. You just need smart progressions and a coach who knows how to navigate the grey zone between rehab and performance.💡 Tip 2: Challenging Doesn’t Mean Punishing

We trained hard — but we didn’t train like maniacs. Every session had a clear purpose. We progressed, not just sweated.

Too many people think they need to “kill it” every session. Truth is, that’s a fast track to burnout and injury.

“It never feels like a boring workout… Davin always keeps things challenging yet manageable.”

Takeaway: Good training should leave you feeling accomplished, not annihilated. If you can’t stick to it long-term, it’s not a real solution.

🧩 Tip 2: Personalisation > Fixed Program

Fiona didn’t get a cookie-cutter plan. Every session was tailored to how she moved, how she felt, and what her long-term goals were. Some days were strength-focused. Other days, we focused on mobility, balance, or workarounds when her knee flared up.

“Every session is customised and personalised to meet and address your specific needs and goals.”

Takeaway: If your program isn’t flexible, it’s flawed. Especially for women in their 40s and beyond — where hormones, stress, and recovery play a bigger role — rigid plans break people. Customisation protects and progresses you.

🔄 Tip 3: Results Are More Than Numbers

Since we started, Fiona’s stronger, more confident, and pain-free. That last part is key. She didn’t just “lose weight” or “tone up” — she rebuilt trust in her own body.

She also broke past the surface impression of me.

“His face may not show it, but he’s a warm, fun, and knowledgeable trainer to train with.”

(I’ll take that as a compliment.)

Final Word: You’re Not Broken. You Just Need the Right Support.

If you’re someone in your 40s dealing with old injuries, anxiety around certain lifts, or simply feeling like the gym isn’t made for you — you’re not alone. Fiona didn’t get lucky. She got a process.