MILLY VOICE

It has become a bit of a series to interview some of the key people who are doing great things in the fitness and sport industry. I feel honoured to also call them my friends, who continually inspire me with the way they approach what they do.

I met Eryn on a Salomon shoot several years ago, and love keeping up to date with her training and fitness pursuits. She has a lot of knowledge and has made it her career to help others as a highly experienced PT as well as a Lululemon ambassador.

Eryn shared with me some honest and constructive thoughts on the fitness industry and as well as some invaluable tips on enhancing sport and fitness in your life.

- Eryn! How are you? Happy Winter season! We first met back in 2018 on a Salomon Shoot. You are super busy these days as an amazing PT! How's life at the moment?

I know, it feels like a lifetime ago! That shoot was so much fun and when I think about things like that it reminds me of how privileged I've been to take parts in shoots like that and meet people like you.

Life is great thanks, things are ticking along and I'm keeping myself busy. Although it stresses me out, I like having lots of things to do and keep me occupied. It keeps my brain stimulated. I've recently finished my Masters in Strength and Conditioning and now I'm just trying to figure out what's next. I've potentially got some things in the pipeline, but my mind changes like the weather, which is a lot when you live in Manchester.

- What inspired you to work in this industry?

Honestly, I have absolutely no idea. When I first trained as a PT I was in my first year of my undergraduate studying English and French and I wanted a job that allowed me to be flexible. Personal Training seemed like an ideal fit, especially as it allowed me to be my own boss. Over the years though I've realised that I love this job because I love helping people. There is no better feeling than having a positive impact on someone's life.

Along with this, I have always enjoyed exercising myself, so as I learned more about training techniques and coaching methods I became increasingly interested in Strength and conditioning, which led to my masters.

- What are your own current fitness goals?

This year I transitioned a bit more from trail running into fell running. They're very similar, but fell running usually includes more hills and made up paths, which is harder but also more fun. So, this year I've been doing a few fell running competitions but they've all been shorter (3-6 miles). My goal is to get better at going uphill and not feel like my lungs are going to collapse every time there's an incline. But I also want to do some longer races.

I don't have any specific races lined up at the moment, but I'm about to go through next year's race calendar and plot out my year and training. I might even try to do a trail race abroad too.

- Have you ever struggled with injury? How did you overcome this?

The biggest injury I've had was recurring shoulder dislocations. I had a roller skating accident a couple of years back and since then my shoulder didn't seem to want to stay in place. However, last year I had keyhole surgery and since then (finger's crossed) it's been great. It was hard in the rehab stages, I couldn't do any running for a while and had to limit my gym work. But, being a Personal Trainer means I have a good back catalogue of exercises in my head so I was able to adapt my training. I am also quite body aware, so I knew when to push and when was enough for my body.

Thankfully I don't tend to get very many injuries, but I am riddled with niggles as I suspect most runners are. In September I had a cartilage problem with my knee after a hiking holiday so I had to take a little break from running whilst I allowed my knee to heal. I work in a clinic with physios and chiropractors, so I'm very lucky in the fact that I can get treatment quickly and easily when things go wrong. That being said, most of my niggles can be solved by incorporating specific strength training exercises into my programme. Niggles usually come from certain muscles being weak or overusing something else, therefore I try to add more unilateral exercises when things don't feel quite right.

- What do you think is the biggest challenge these days for anyone reaching fitness goals?

Social media is a blessing and a curse for the fitness industry. It has given us the chance to share what we love and know with more people, however it has also opened the doors for people that want to make a quick quid without any experience. I hear so many people telling me that they're following someone online and they're taking their exercise advice when this person has no credentials and no actual experience training people and it's dangerous.

Another issue is only seeing the results and not the process that someone has been through. Instagram is full of before and after images, seeing people smash their running PBs and there is no context to how they got from A to B. This leaves people comparing themselves to others they see online which can really play havoc with your mental health. It can also make you question your own training and throw you off course.

- Are you mindful of nutrition to complement your active lifestyle?

I am mindful, but I am not restrictive in any way shape or form. I am a big believer that eating should be an enjoyable experience and if you're constantly worrying about what you're consuming then it makes it a negative experience. However, there are certain principles I do try to follow on a day to day basis:

Eat as many fruits and vegetables as you can each day
Try to get a source of protein with every meal
Cook as much as possible, it's best to know what's in your meals
Reduce the amount of high sugar foods you consume

That last point is specific to me because I have a real sweet tooth and if I didn't control it I'd probably have a share bar of Dairy Milk each day. To combat this I reduce the amount of sweet foods in the house, eat fruit and have dark chocolate in the evening because it's richer and so I eat less of it.

I will hold my hands up and say my sports/training nutrition is not up to scratch. I have no structured diet around longer runs and I almost always get cramp in my quads on a longer run. So this is definitely something I need to work on.

- As someone who struggles getting enough core training in, what do you recommend to me as a runner?

My first tip would be to remember that something is better than nothing. You might have every intention of doing 3x20 minute workouts a week, but if they don't get done then it means nothing. You'd be much better off doing 3x5 minute core workouts per week if you know that it's more realistic and sustainable, and most of us have 5 minutes a day we can put aside. Once you've got into a routine then you can gradually increase the number or sets/repetitions you complete, or include another exercise.

Another option would be to include the core exercises into your running routine. And no, I don't mean sit ups 7km into your run, but doing some core work before or after your run. Like I said, it doesn't have to be a 20 minute programme, just a few exercises. You've already carved out time in your day to run and so adding some additional time for your core training shouldn't be too much of a problem. If you are pushed for time, it might even be worth cutting your run 5/10 minutes short to get your core work in.

- From a trail running perspective I am always interested in both the participation of women in quite a male dominated sport, but also the media coverage of it. What challenges do you think women face in fitness?

The biggest barrier to exercise for women often lies in the way it's marketed and perceived. The fitness industry frequently emphasises weight loss and aesthetic ideals, which can create a daunting and intimidating atmosphere. This narrow focus can overshadow the fundamental importance of exercise for overall health and well-being. Women should be encouraged to engage in physical activity not just to attain a certain body image but to foster strength, vitality, and mental clarity. By shifting the narrative and promoting exercise as a means to improve one's health, boost confidence, and most importantly enjoy the sheer fun of movement, we can break down these barriers and create a more inclusive, empowering fitness culture for women.

I want women to exercise and participate in sport for fun, not because they think they have to. I would also love to see more women be competitive about sport. With the rise of elite female athletes and their exposure in the media, I hope that it will encourage recreational athletes to take their sport more seriously and gain confidence.

- You are a LuluLemon Ambassador! Tell me more about that.

It's so much fun! Last year I was asked to be a train (gym) ambassador for the Lululemon Trafford Centre store and since then I've had some amazing opportunities. Of course being able to wear Lululemon is cool, but one of the best things about it is being able to network and connect with other ambassadors. Being a self-employed PT can be lonely and so this is one way of meeting more like-minded people and working together on exciting projects.

The highlight so far was being selected as 1 of 4 ambassadors across the whole of Europe to receive funding and help to run a community initiative.

I led an empowering women of colour trail running workshop, bringing together 20 incredible women who had never ventured into trail running. Our goal was to introduce them to the beauty and serenity of nature and help them discover the joys of these activities. I chose this initiative because as a woman of colour that participates in the sport, I noticed that there were few people that look like me at events and I wanted that to change. Trail running and the countryside are often less accessible to women of colour for several reasons:

1. Representation: Lack of diversity in outdoor marketing and media can make women of colour feel like these spaces are not for them.

3. Safety concerns: Some areas may not be seen as safe for women in general discouraging outdoor exploration.

4. Lack of awareness: Many women may not be aware of outdoor opportunities due to limited exposure.

5. Environment: For people of colour that live in the city and don't drive, trail running isn't very accessible in areas where there is a lack of public transport.

Our workshop aimed to address these barriers, creating a supportive and inclusive environment for women of colour to connect with nature and explore the world of trail running. And it was amazing to have Lululemon backing me for this event.

- Where can we find you for more info on your classes and training?

I mainly post on Instagram where you can find workout tips/advice @erynbarber. If you're interested in online or in person training, you can drop me a message there, contact me via my website www.threeflo.co.uk or email me eryn@threeflo.co.uk.