Emma is 42 and a scrub nurse at Durham who joined RT Fitness hoping to make a change — but ended up transforming far more than just her body.
She started at 101kg and now walks taller, stronger, and 28kg lighter.
The Challenge
Emma had spent years hiding her body, sitting on the fence about doing something for herself.
She thought she was “fine” — until she realised she wasn’t truly happy.
That’s when she took a leap, joined the Barbell Club, and never looked back.
Why She Nearly Didn't Start
Like so many others, Emma sat on the sidelines for ages.
She thought about it. Mulled it over. But fear and uncertainty kept her stuck — until one day, she made the decision to act.
She signed up for 12 weeks... and nearly a year later, she’s still going strong.
The Turning Point
As soon as she stepped through the door, things began to shift.
She gained stamina, started walking more, enrolled in the Great North Run (something she never thought she’d do), and most importantly — rebuilt her confidence from the inside out.
She now wears clothes she hasn’t worn since her twenties and says, “I’m like a different person.”
The Results
Since joining, Emma has:
✅ Dropped from 101kg to 73kg (a 28kg loss!)
✅ Built endurance and strength — and signed up for a half marathon
✅ Gone from hiding her body to wearing what she loves
✅ Found a new level of confidence and joy in herself
✅ Discovered a small group community where everyone lifts each other up
Here’s what she had to say:
“I mulled around my weight thinking I was happy. Really, I was unhappy. Now? I’m different. It’s not like other gyms — we push each other, support each other, and you walk out a different person.”
What This Means for You
If you’re stuck in that “I might do it someday” mindset — Emma’s been there.
She made the leap, and now she’s living proof of what’s possible when you back yourself.