My work brings together Pilates, outdoor learning and research into movement, wellbeing and connection to place. Alongside teaching and professional practice, I contribute to conferences, educational projects and vocational training, exploring how movement can support health and lifelong learning.
Association for Outdoor Therapy Conference – 8/9 November 2025, National Outdoor Centre Mountain Training Trust, Plas y Brenin, North Wales.
At the Association for Outdoor Therapy Conference in Wales, I delivered an outdoor movement session exploring the relationship between Pilates, walking and wellbeing. The session encouraged participants to engage with the natural environment through mindful movement and sensory awareness, exploring the relationship between movement, outdoor environments and wellbeing.
Similar sessions can be developed for organisations, community groups and workplaces with an interest in health, wellbeing and outdoor learning. Contact for further information.
St Olav’s Way: Research and Practice
My interest in pilgrimage walking has included research on St Olav’s Way in Sweden, exploring the relationship between movement, wellbeing and connection to place. This work has contributed to my understanding of how walking can support both physical and mental wellbeing.
Research into St Olav’s Way has strengthened my interest in pilgrimage, walking and the relationship between movement and wellbeing. Stretching from Sweden to Trondheim in Norway, the route passes through forests, lakes and mountain landscapes, offering both physical challenge and opportunities for reflection and connection to place.
The experience continues to inform my approach to Pilates and fitness training, helping individuals prepare for longer walking journeys while also encouraging participation in shorter guided walks and outdoor movement activities.
Preparing for the Journey: Physical Preparation
Preparing for a long-distance walk requires a balanced approach to fitness. Cardiovascular exercise, hill walking, strength training and flexibility all play an important role in building endurance and reducing the risk of injury. Practice walks with a backpack can also help prepare the body for the demands of multi-day walking.
Pilates for Walkers
Pilates can support long-distance walking by improving posture, balance, core strength and body awareness. Strengthening the lower body and developing stability around the feet and ankles can help make longer journeys more comfortable and enjoyable, while stretching and mobility exercises assist with recovery.
Walking, Wellbeing and Support
Pilgrimage is not only about reaching a destination but also about the experience of the journey itself. My research and walking experiences continue to inform my work in Pilates and fitness, helping people prepare for longer walks while also encouraging participation in shorter guided walks and outdoor movement activities.
If you are planning a walking challenge or pilgrimage and would like support with fitness preparation, Pilates or training for endurance walking, please get in touch to discuss a personalised programme.
Vocational Courses
This 12-week online course provides an introduction to the science and management of low back pain, combining current theory with practical application. Suitable for students and anyone with an interest in health and exercise, the course explores how anatomy, biomechanics and movement can support understanding and rehabilitation.
Suitable for:
- Health and sport students
- Those considering osteopathy or physiotherapy
- Physical education students and teachers
- Fitness professionals
- Anyone wishing to develop their knowledge of back pain and movement
Course content includes:
- Anatomy and physiology
- Biomechanics
- Understanding low back pain
- Posture and movement
- Physical and psychological influences
- Management strategies
- Exercise programmes and Pilates techniques
Course Information
- Duration: 12 weeks
- Study time: Approximately 3 hours per week
- Delivery: Online interactive learning platform
- Start date: Enrol at any time throughout the year
- Fee: £360
- Award: Certificate of Attendance
Why study a short course?
Short courses provide an opportunity to gain specialist knowledge, support continuing professional development and explore a subject before undertaking a vocational qualification or degree programme.
IB Physical Education Support
Teaching sessions can also be developed for the International Baccalaureate Sports, Exercise and Health Science (SEHS) curriculum, including anatomy, physiology, biomechanics and practical application for Diploma Programme students.
Previous Projects:
Students studying Personal Fitness Qualifications and Work Experience in Tenerife
Leonardo da Vinci Project VET Education, Language, Culture and Work Experience in Tenerife. Project No: 163059 – Fitness Excel Training gained European Funding to design a project which enabled students studying for YMCA Personal Fitness Training Qualification Level 3 and Exercise for Children Level 2 to gain work experience in Tenerife whilst learning Spanish.
Graduation – Students receiving their Diplomas
Two schools based in Birmingham, 12 students and their PE teachers took part in a fully funded 3 week work mobility placement, in Tenerife funded by Leonardo da Vinci. Sarah Grocutt, Project Manager applied for funds via Ecorys. The funding enabled students to study Spanish, fitness instruction and undertake the placements within industries.
Students worked in 4 different organisations to gain work experience in health, fitness and leisure industries.
“The Leonardo project has enabled me to use all my skills which I learnt, coaching tennis and martial arts. The experience has helped to develop confidence, manage money on a budget, improve my linguistic skills. I made friends from Turkey and Germany. These transferable skills will help me with my future career as I plan to study business and management at University”. Highly recommended
Students also had the chance to attend a lecture by Dr Javier, a local expert on altitude training, this gave us all an incredible insight into the psychological and physiological demands placed upon the cardiovascular system in high altitude training.
“It was a good balance between free time to visit places of interest combined with work experience. The intense Spanish language lessons at the Language Academy has given me the confidence to go and use my linguistic skills in shops and cafes before going on placement”. Amazing Experience
Presentation Award, Europa House, Westmindster, London – This project won a highly commended award for the National Centre for Languages.
TENERIFE – Study & Work
Study Visit in Finland
As part of an international education project, I joined sports science students and education professionals from the UK and Europe on a study visit to Finland to explore approaches to physical education, health and wellbeing.
The programme included visits to universities, schools and national sports training centres, examining how physical activity, sports conditioning and outdoor learning contribute to health and education. Specialist sessions explored athlete development, rehabilitation, and the role of movement in promoting lifelong wellbeing.
Practical activities formed an important part of the experience and included Nordic walking, traditional Finnish sports, winter swimming and cross-country skiing, providing an insight into Finland’s outdoor and active lifestyle culture.
The project strengthened my interest in international physical education, outdoor learning and the relationship between movement, nature and wellbeing, ideas that continue to influence my teaching and professional practice.
University of Jyvaskya
fitness-excel.com 