Shirley

I am 63 years young and married to Ken. I was never maternal, but I love cats. I currently have Oscar 7, Mabel 4, and Riley who will be 2 this year. I have always had animals with personality for some reason and these three are no different!

I joined the gym prior to working for Results Fitness in 2001, and have been going along for the ride ever since. I joined Results Fitness because we were building a house and had moved into a rental place in Te Atatu during that process –and I got it into my head to join a women’s-only gym.

I’m fitter now than I was when I was 40. I gave up smoking when I was 33 because the doctor said I couldn’t stay on the pill if I smoked past my 34th birthday. I basically drank with both hands until I pulled myself out of that funk.

I’ve been self-employed since 1996 when I left the software company, I had been a director of. There had been some background undercurrents and I decided to go back to working for myself. Now I work for a couple of clients, and I do Cavi (fat melting) at the gym and I love it!

In 1987 we had the chance to buy our first house. We had to raise 10K in 3 months for the deposit. I had a full-time job and took on a second at weekends for a company called Fleet Card (now CardSmart). They were just in start-up mode but got the government vehicle tender and my once-a-fortnight job for 2 hours ended up being all weekend every weekend. In the end, I was exhausted but decided to chuck in my full-time job and just work the weekends until I got something else.

It was hard going but I answered an advert for someone that knew computers and the printing industry. The rest is history. Ken was mortified when I announced I was leaving the safe full-time job. It was hard work but I was very proud to take that jump into the unknown.

Three years ago, I injured myself and just thought a trip to the Chiro would fix it. After X-rays, scans, MRI and being totally miserable I was sent to a neurosurgeon. He didn’t want to operate but I did have a guided injection in my back. Sam has been my Godsend. She has helped me get back up and working again and I have discovered a wonderful Bowen therapist and I’ve learned to be patient with myself. I love the support that I get and can give.

When I’ve told people I go to a women’s only gym I have had the odd comment about bitchiness. There will always be an odd bod that will try but they don’t last. The ladies I have the privilege of working and playing with are too smart.

I love to have a laugh and I love to see people enjoying themselves. When I am working on Cavi I love to see the members relaxing, laughing and enjoying the experience. I have always worked by the philosophy that you must give more than you take, as you will always have enough.