Hello world

So who am I and what is this about? 

Hey guys, I’m Michelle and I’m currently 29 years old and from a little town called Manchester in the United Kingdom. I am a PhD student and I work in Accident and Emergency, often in the paediatric area, and I love it. I’m currently also learning French. Bonjour. I’m bubbly, silly, kind and did I mention silly?

Last January I embarked on a fitness journey. It was mostly sparked by me almost dying on a mountain in the Andes because I was that unfit. I probably should have started blogging earlier but I didn’t. So I’m starting from here. I have had the help of a wonderful trainer, Rachel , and I’ve come pretty far already. I’ve dropped 3 dress sizes and about 3.5 stone but most importantly I feel so much better!

This blog will showcase my successes and failures and hopefully make you laugh along the way.

Just to reiterate I am not a professional nor am I trying to teach you how to do things. Lord knows I don’t need any more jobs!

My favourite things are kettlebells and heavy lifting.

🧳 UNPACKED

Looking Back: This was April 2016 – the start of my fitness journey after nearly dying on a mountain in the Andes (yes, really). I’d dropped 3.5 stone and 3 dress sizes with the help of my trainer Rachel, and I was all about kettlebells and heavy lifting.

What’s Changed: My fitness journey has evolved significantly since then. These posts are from “The Gym Era” – a specific chapter in my health story. My approach to wellness looks different now, especially managing life with adrenal insufficiency and navigating Mounjaro, but the lessons from this time still matter.

If You’re Starting Your Own Journey:

• Find a trainer or program that actually works for YOU (not what Instagram says)
• Small wins matter – dress sizes, how you feel, not just the scales
• Nearly dying on mountains is optional motivation (don’t recommend)
• Be silly, have fun, don’t take it all so seriously

Worth Knowing: These fitness posts are archived content from 2016-onwards. My health philosophy has evolved, but I’m keeping them here because the honesty, the struggles, and the small victories are still real and relatable.