WHY RSPT?

Everyone that is a part of the RSPT Fitness Family has a story, this is mine... I first met Renee through parkrun, I saw all these people wearing these RSPT singlets and I started to take notice. I knew one day I would join them, it just took me a while to commit.

I was injured, I'd broken my leg and was out of running for at least 7 months, being told I'd possibly never run again. I was in a boot for 9 weeks and rehab all up for 11 months, but each week I went along to parkrun and volunteered so I was still a part of it. Renee started to take an interest in this broken runner, she added me to Facebook, would check in to see how my injury was going and as I have told her, she committed to me, long before I committed to RSPT. What I found different about Renee was that when she was checking in on me there was never any talk of when I was going to join her running group, it was all genuine interest in how my recovery was going and making sure I was doing my rehab exercises.

I was finally back to running, but still didn't feel confident to run in an organised group. Renee still kept in touch with me. As soon as I was ready, the entire RSPT Fitness Family welcomed me with open arms.

Every Wednesday I would head to run class, every Saturday we would be at parkrun and every time there was a network of support that calls themselves family. My times got quicker every week, my fitness improved, my confidence started to grow and I kept making more friends.

I knew that RSPT wasn't just a running group, I knew there was a gym as well, what I didn't know at that point was how true the fitness family part is. Eventually I started going to gym classes, I met more of the "family", made more friends and learnt many valuable lessons.

The biggest thing that I have gained from RSPT Fitness Family and Renee isn't about fitness or running or learning different exercises, becoming a part of this family has literally saved me and completely changed my life. Renee has shown me how to enjoy things I have previously hated for decades, she has taught me how to think in a different direction and along with the amazing family of people she has created I've also seen real friendship.

“RSPT isn't just a gym, it is a fitness family and its the best decision I have ever made in my entire life.”

The day I met Renee my life changed. RSPT has given me so much more than I ever could have dreamed of! Initially I was there to try and lose a bit of weight and start to take a bit of responsibility for my health. I just wanted to feel comfortable. I was very slow and couldn’t do much to begin with but the welcome and encouragement I received from everyone was amazing and I learned so much.

Renee is passionate and committed to helping every person achieve their goals. Her passion, belief, enthusiasm, dedication and skill gets results! Not to mention her wicked sense of humour!! There is so much variety and every class is different.

RSPT is my happy place and I go almost every day. With Renee and RSPT I lost a lot of weight but I gained so much more. I am fitter, stronger, happier and much more confident. I am doing things I would never have dreamed of in all aspects of my life, not just the gym. I have also made life long friends.

“One of the best things about RSPT is the culture of support, encouragement and inclusiveness. There is something for everyone and everyone is welcome”.

I have been with Renee and RSPT for many years and I’m not going anywhere!

The first question is where did the story start? Was it the first gym session, the first time I went to run club. No- the real start was running at parkrun wearing my usual pink shirt and hearing this person behind me encouraging someone. “Come on- get that girl in pink’ I was so mad because I wanted that! I wanted someone to cheer me on and push me.

Then one weekend I was particularly down about running and a friend suggested I come to a running session. She took me to RSPT’s skills and drills. I avoided people yet they still spoke to me. I decided to give this Wednesday night run thing a go. What did I have to lose? I tried to remained on the outside yet every week someone would help me on or ask me how I was, they knew my name.

Then the game changing moment that I’ll never, ever forget. I had a bad day, I was late, I cried in the mirror cause I couldn’t find clothes to fit, at the end of that session Renee asked me if I was ok. She knew! She always knows. I said to her that I didn’t like myself much at the moment. From that moment on I knew I needed help and Renee and RSPT was going to be it.

I started going to a gym session once a week as well as running. Every session someone different cheered me on or helped through a set. I used Peter the puppy to hide behind but still people came and spoke to me.

Gradually the fear was replaced with desire. To be better, to be happier, to make Renee proud until she got the message through that I needed to be proud of me, she taught me how and she was there every step of the way. She used the puppies to get me to come to more classes. She knew when to push and when to suggest more, she always checked in on me.

Renee creates challenges and I wanted to be involved. I just didn’t think I could, I didn’t think I was worthy of the help. She saw through my hesitation and told me I was doing it, I was so relieved she took that decision out of my hands. She believed in me before I knew how.

“I lost 25kg throughout the year and my reliance on migraine medications but I found an awful lot more. Confidence, happiness, success, pride in myself, memories, adventures, my health, energy, fun, joy, strength and most of all a tribe”.

A group of people who honestly believe in each other, who strive to help, who celebrate occasions with joy and love, who cheer, who go out of their way to help when you need it (and often before you knew you needed it!) All because of this Fitness Family that Renee created through hard work and her belief in all of us and what she could help us achieve. This isn’t a gym- this is my family.