As a former physics teacher, I never imagined running a seven-figure business. My path to entrepreneurship wasn’t smooth—it began at one of the darkest times in my life. I hope my journey, from teaching to overcoming a life-changing injury and then finding success in business, can offer some insight for small business owners or startups.
From 2013 to 2017, I taught science, but I felt unfulfilled. So, I took a risk and left teaching to pursue my passion for fitness. I became a personal trainer, and things were going well—until a freak gym accident shattered both of my patella tendons. Doctors said I might never walk unaided again. Overnight, I went from helping others improve their fitness to fighting for my own mobility.
The physical pain was immense, but the emotional toll was worse. I spiraled into debt and became addicted to painkillers. There were days when I wanted to give up entirely. But through that darkness, I learned a crucial lesson for any business owner: resilience. Things won’t always go as planned, and setbacks are inevitable. What matters is how you get back up when life knocks you down.
After a year of grueling rehab, I relearned how to walk and decided to restart my career—but with a new perspective. I invested the last £5000 of my loan into a business course, and in March 2019, I launched Get Results Training, my first online fitness business. Entrepreneurship was challenging. I had to learn online marketing, client management, and building a digital presence. I quickly realized that success in business isn’t about having a perfect plan—it’s about being adaptable. In the startup world, you must be ready to pivot at any moment.
Get Results Training was a success, but after two years, I felt ready for a new challenge. Fitness professionals began seeking my advice on building their businesses, so in January 2022, I launched Collective CEO Consultancy, which I later rebranded to Fitness Business University in 2023. This business helps fitness professionals streamline operations, build teams, and scale their services.
What I’ve learned through building two businesses is that systems are everything. You need systems for hiring, training, and automating tasks—these are essential for scaling. Many small business owners get stuck in the day-to-day operations and struggle to grow because they don’t have the right processes in place. Implementing these systems allowed me to reach a turnover of £1.5 million.
Another key takeaway is the value of mentorship. You can’t do it all alone, and thinking you can will only lead to burnout. I now work with a trusted team of business professionals who guide me through the challenges of scaling. No one achieves success alone, and that’s something every business owner needs to realize.
If there’s one thing I want fellow entrepreneurs to remember, it’s that adversity can be your greatest teacher. My journey from injury to building two businesses taught me that success is rarely a straight path. It’s full of highs and lows, but the lessons you learn are invaluable. Whether you’re facing financial struggles, market changes, or personal setbacks, what will determine your success is your adaptability, willingness to learn, and resilience. If I can rebuild my life and business after nearly losing everything, so can you. Take it one step at a time, and remember, failure is often the first step to your next great success.
