LesleyAnn Thomas
12 June 2007
I first met Alison at our Business Network International chapter in May 2005. In July 2005 I met with Alison to discuss some options for supporting my physical rehabilitation (following an accident in which I had broken my back) and to manage a long-term physical illness. Accordingly, having gotten to know Alison well over the past two years and having worked with Alison on an almost weekly basis since July 2005, I believe puts me in a position to provide you with an accurate assessment of her character.
As a personal and mobile trainer, Alison is both very professional and encouraging. She works alongside me to provide the additional support and confidence to help me master my exercise programmes and achieve my goals. When I need to be pushed and challenged Alison does so but always in a respectful way which is cogniscent of my needs, abilities and physical state. My original goals for working with Alison were to regain confidence in my mobility and to get travel-fit for an overseas trip. Alison’s coaching has enabled me to achieve these goals. Together we have been able to identify new goals for my fitness and health regime and Alison has adapted her approach to ensure I will be able to achieve those goals.
As a personal trainer, Alison was/is a great choice. With the type of illness I have, I often find that trainers are not prepared to just focus on mobility and allow improved health and fitness to just happen as part of the process. Alison was able to focus on my medical needs, was prepared to research my illness and continues to adapt on the spot when we come across a set of exercises that I just can’t manage.
Support is a key component of our trainer/trainee relationship and Alison makes herself accessible outside of our dedicated training time through the phone and email – I find this invaluable. But one of the key things I really value is that Alison is willing to get alongside and do the work-out with me when it’s appropriate. In addition, Alison has given me guidance in health and nutritional matters.
She is passionate about wanting people to succeed and has earned the respect of our business networking group through her commitment to helping her clients achieve their goals.
Any individual who chooses to work with Alison will find great value in what Alison has to offer and the way in which she delivers on her commitment to helping them succeed.
LesleyAnn Thomas
Sharon Jefferies
I met Alison in 2005 when I was working long hours in a self employed business, managing a household of 3 young children, undertaking head instructor duties for a large pony club and involved in a wide range of community project and fund raising ventures. I had previously been very active(a daily gym junkie, runner and squash player) prior to my second child, and I then found time was very limited as well as energy levels to undertake exercise on a daily basis. I tried joining the gym but it did not fit my constantly changing schedule and I was using old habits of eating and exercising.
Alison personally met with me to discuss my goals and then we set about on weekly sessions where Alison provided me with ideas and activities that I could fit into my diary very easily. I quickly gained a higher standard of fitness, health and general wellbeing and I had more energy at the end of each day. Alison regularly discusses goals and ensures the exercise programme and activities suit me and my goals.
I initially set goals such as competing in women’s triathlons, cycling half way around Taupo, doing duathlons, The Rev Cycle classic and gaining muscles and a higher fitness level. This was all achieved thanks to Alison’s support, encouragement and proactive approach to fitness. My goals are now to cycle all the way around Taupo, to cycle from Hamilton to Auckland, and better my times each year on the triathlons and duathlons. Alison is never ending in her encouragement, support and her ability to make you reach a little higher and be a little stronger.
Alison also provides a wealth of knowledge on nutrition, diet, exercise, health and physiological and even psychological aspects to changing the clients attitude and behaviours so that they achieve positive outcomes in their training, exercise and goals. This is demonstrated through providing us with food diaries, menu plans, and a diverse range of exercise options to suit the individual. Through Alison, we even discovered that I was not eating enough for the exercise I was doing which was one of the main reasons I was not losing weight through all my training.
I have through Alison’s insight and knowledge lost weight, body mass and gained a whole host of muscles I never thought I had. At 43 years of age I now feel like I am in my early 30’s again. I compete in events with gusto, I enjoy my training, I fit exercise in everyday now, and I have a constant goal in front of me to achieve and they keep getting higher. This has positive impacts on my family who are now more active, competing against me, and asking me to participate in parent swimming and athletic competitions! Which I never would have done prior to having Alison on my team!
As a Personal Trainer, I highly recommend Alison and I have done so, but as she is so popular she is fully booked and has a waiting list! Alison, may I take this opportunity to thank you for being a person who has Made a Difference in my Life! The ripple effect has been ongoing to my family, friends, community and clients.
Kindest regards
Sharon Jefferies
Heather Perry
You've seen the ads on TV - you know, the ones where they say, "I tried everything and nothing worked until I used the "super duper wonder machine"! (Individual results may vary)." Well, that ¨wasn't me!
I didn't try any fan dangled machines because I wasn't motivated! I certainly wasn't overweight, in fact having been through a period of high stress and anxiety, I was underweight, but what I was, was unmotivated and very unfit - until that is, I met Alison Storey.
I committed to seeing Alison once a week and we started slow - but then we had to because I was below average in my fitness. But, slowly and surely I progressed through Alison's sessions. The ability to work out in my own home with Alison was great and it meant that she could produce exercise plans for me that incorporated the equipment I had at home and utilise my surroundings. Unfortunately for me I lived at the top of a small hill - and boy did that hill get used! But I didn't mind, because the results were fantastic. My initial commitment to myself was to exercise 3 times a week. Before long I was exercising 6 times per week and got to the stage where I could run without stopping for 15 minutes. This was a huge accomplishment for someone who couldn't run to the next power pole.
My first goal, with Alison's encouragement, was to compete in the Special K Duathalon. I had never entered an event before so I was a bit nervous when I registered, but with Alison's reassurance and her great planning up to and on race day I arrived at the event excited and ready to roll. Now, this was very early on after meeting Alison so admittedly I was only walking as I was still unfit, but what a buzz. And then, one year later, I was running the event and took 14 minutes off my time. Now that's motivation! I now look for events to enter and have run in 4 different events - not bad after just a year.
I can't speak highly enough of Alison. Her enthusiasm for what she does certainly rubs off on you, her passion, her belief in you, the great nutritional advice, the variety in the exercise schedules, her energy - you can't help but be excited by what you're achieving - and believe me you do achieve.
My next challenge is complete a half marathon before I'm 40 and I know I'll do it because I have Alison helping me. Unfortunately I've now shifted to Australia and if I won Lotto tomorrow I'd fly her out here for my weekly sessions ... but alas no Lotto has been forthcoming. But, in true Alison style in only wanting to help people, she is assisting me via email, so all is not lost.
Alison has touched my life in a way that can't be explained until you've met her and worked with her.
Heather Perry
