Becky Mills in the Spotlight
Hi I’m Becky, I’m a Personal Trainer, running coach and triathlon coach. I also work for England Athletics as a tutor and tutor developer, which combine my skills of teaching with my passion for fitness. As well as training other people, I love exercising in the beautiful outdoors around Cornwall. Being in the sea or running on the coast path is definitely my happy place, and there’s definitely truth in the thought that sea air is good for your soul. There’s no other feeling like being in the ocean and seeing the coastline from a different perspective, and if I’m really lucky I get to see a seal too! I enjoy completing in triathlons especially half iron man distances as I like having a goal to work towards. However, since so many races have been cancelled during lockdown, I have learnt to love training for the sake of feeling good, rather than just training to compete. It’s been a real eye opener for me and I’m embracing the feel-good exercise vibes by not always having to be working towards a goal.
Work with 4Motion
At the beginning of lockdown, Elaine called me to see if I would be interested in teaching online HIIT classes for 4Motion; I’m so glad I said yes as it has led to so many exciting opportunities and plans. I have been teaching the Wake Up Workout twice a week since April 2020. It’s an amazing feeling seeing sleepy faces on the screen with their cups of coffee before the class starts, and then experience those amazing feel good endorphins bounce off the screen after half an hour of jumping around together. It’s amazing that we are all in different locations around the country yet come together to exercise and share the positive feelings that exercise brings.
During lockdown, Elaine and I designed an online course which focused on strength exercises and flexibility. Originally, we designed the course with triathletes in mind, yet quickly realised it was going to be beneficial to anyone who enjoys exercise. We ran our 6-week Strengthen & Flex course last summer, it was great to connect with like-minded people who also enjoy training and getting out in the great outdoors, and grateful for the positive feedback we received from fellow Strengthen & Flex friends!
I started delivering weekly fitness classes as part of 4Motion’s BOOST Project in September 2020. This project was designed to support people who have been made unemployed due to the pandemic by providing a friendly place to exercise and connect with others. Elaine and I designed the sessions to incorporate skills which can be used in daily life and future interviews, for example postural awareness by standing tall and proud even when we may not feel it, and slowing down and taking control of what we can even when the world may feel a bit hectic. It’s been a pleasure to share these sessions with this group and I’m so excited to see this project grow over the coming year.
A surprising highlight for me in my work with 4Motion has been delivering fitness to a care home in Cornwall. I have delivered some sessions as part of the Time for Tea project and it has been an absolute privilege. I have formed a bond with the ladies and have loved seeing them move to Elvis Presley and Tom Jones! Sharing a cup of tea with them at the end of the sessions and hearing all about their families has been a really touching experience. Knowing that we’re connecting with a group of people who have felt very isolated over the past year is an amazing feeling, and it’s made me realise that exercising to rock and roll music is brilliant!
I’ve also really enjoyed teaching Family Fitness on a Saturday morning. My 7-year old daughter Evie loves helping me with the planning, and a particular highlight was seeing families enjoying the Hokey Cokey workout together a few weeks ago! It is such a pleasure to see families exercising and sharing giggles whilst doing something active together. In February I launched a new weekly class called ‘Chair Fitness’, the idea for this class came about after a conversation with my mum and it has grown into a fun class where we get to exercise together, dance together and enjoy a chat at the end. It’s such a joy to see different ages and abilities exercising and moving together. We meet every Tuesday online, 1:45-2:30pm; everyone is welcome so feel free to join us.
Life Outside Work
I have a seven year old daughter Evie who is a little superstar. We enjoy walking our crazy greyhound puppy Rose on the beach and exploring the rock pools. Last summer we started doing lots of beach cleans which has been a great way to survive lockdown, but also to feel like we are making a bit of a difference in our local community. Although exercising tends to be my way of relaxing, I have discovered the importance of meditation and downtime, and I am enjoying learning how to train my mind as well as my body. The Saturday morning workshops have opened my eyes to the importance of meditation and exploring my thoughts, which have definitely left me feeling calmer and more relaxed.
Although 2020 was a difficult and challenging year in some ways, for me it has bought about many positive changes. I am super excited to have started my new role with 4Motion as Outreach Coordinator in Cornwall, which involves growing the BOOST project as well as other community projects across the county. Being able to conjure up exciting plans with Elaine whilst we swim in the sea together, and then bring them to life in Cornwall for 4Motion is a real pleasure. We are also busy planning some very exciting retreats for the year ahead, where we will show people the beauty of Cornwall whilst exercising outside and embracing elements. Watch this space for new dates coming soon!
I can’t believe it was a year ago when Elaine called and invited me to teach Wake Up Workout, and now here I am teaching lots of different classes for 4Motion and working with them to grow their presence across Cornwall. This has definitely been a big bonus to come out of a very strange year!