I started training at Jake’s in 2023, and it is genuinely one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. At the time, I was going through one of the hardest periods of my life. My husband was diagnosed with terminal cancer and was given 12 months to live.
When he passed away, I was widowed at 34 with two small children (aged 5 and 2) which was extremely difficult and in addition to this I was juggling my career to provide for us financially too. I became severely depressed and at the heaviest and unfittest I had ever been, largely due to comfort eating — something I never truly believed was real until I experienced it myself. I had never struggled with my weight before, so this was completely new territory for me.
Starting JWPT was daunting. A new environment, new people, and trying to find the motivation while dealing with depression felt overwhelming. I also had to figure out how to fit training into an already busy schedule. I was so nervous, so I began with one-on-one PT sessions with Jake because that felt far less intimidating and really helped build my confidence.
Not long after, I started attending Friday morning bootcamp with Laura — and I absolutely loved it. The group was incredibly supportive and welcoming, and the impact on my mental health was almost immediate. That hour of training forced me out of my own head and into the present moment. While I initially started for my physical health, the mental benefits ended up being even more powerful and beneficial for me personally.
My goal was to get back to my “normal” weight, which meant losing 20kg. I knew it wouldn’t happen overnight (even though I secretly hoped it might!). I finally reached this in December 2025 and I genuinely wouldn’t have achieved this without Jake and the team. My consistency over the past two years has come down to enjoying the training, the trainers, and the people I train alongside. There are some truly great people there, and I’ve made some wonderful friends along the way.
Now that I’ve reached my goal, it’s about continuing to build my fitness — and doing it because I enjoy it. That hour away from work, kids, screens, and housework is absolute gold… even when it involves burpee broad jumps up the turf.
