This Girl Can Ambassadors

I'm Nic, I'm a 45-year-old Mum of 10-year-old twin girls. I thought I hated all things sporty for many years, but about 8 years ago I discovered open water swimming and realised that I'd just never found the right sport. I started with a dip in a local lake every weekend and gradually built up to marathon swims of 10-14km. That led me onto wanting to have a go at a triathlon, so I did a lot more cycling (which I love) and running (which I don't - yet!) and did a couple of triathlon events.

Over the last few years I've had a few health problems culminating in a hysterectomy back in April, so my fitness is pretty rubbish again and other than my fabulous river swimming I'm starting from scratch again and want to focus on regaining my fitness, losing some weight and learning to make fitness part of my day to day life again. I've gone back to basics and, together with about 15 friends and some of our children am just starting on Couch to 5k, targeting another half marathon in 2020.

I'm a 54-year-old Mum who has hypertension and hated PE and most sports when I was younger. After 20 years of desk jobs and losing some weight, I felt ready for a move onto a new career path. I am now an outdoor fitness instructor and love showing how exercise can be fun with Nordic Walking, Tai Chi and Yoga. More importantly it is about combining fitness with likeminded people who love to chat, socialise and release their inner child. It's not just about the goals but the adventure getting there. That's how I fell in love with sports especially as I now sleep better, am lighter and have so much energy.

I'm Lou, I'm 30 and currently working out the trick to the work/life/fitness balance. I travel a lot for work (and for fun) so an average week for me is almost non-existent. When I'm at home I play netball 2-3 times a week (putting my height to good use as a shooter) and try and try to get to a bounce class with friends. When I am away it's all about the walking and discovering new places! I have been known to partake in a bit of very slow distance running completing the 2016 London Marathon supporting This Girl Can and a handful of half marathons since.

By day I work in the field of mental health and by night I'm a qualified Inclusive Dance and Zumba instructor. Following a high-speed car accident, I was left battling with physically injuries and mental health issues including Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, depression and anxiety whilst already living with a long-term health condition. Dance proved to be a key part in my recovery enabling me to take things at my own pace, something which I encourage others to do, whilst still feeling the joy of music and dance. I'm an Inclusive Dance instructor because I teach students who have long-term health conditions, disabilities or mental health issues alongside students who don't. My passion lies in enabling people to be active in a way that's comfortable for them and allows them to progress at their own pace, all whilst having fun by wiggling, jiggling and shaking to uplifting music!

I am an empty-nester who has used her business as a third child to nurture and grow. Our daughters are adults and my business, FastTrack Fit Camp, was founded in 2009 to get out of physically teaching fitness whilst staying in the industry. My love is being outside - so my daily fix is an early morning walk every day where I can (sunrises are a bonus!) and then a weekly slow strength training session. It's a fabulous way to stay strong and in shape for 15 minutes heavy lifting a week. My personal and business lives are closely matched, and I like to read health and food books and cook with local ingredients when and where possible. You'll most likely find me running a Fit Camp session or walking and taking in a good sky!

I'm a self-employed running coach and fitness instructor, having made the switch after a decade working an office job. I started running in my early twenties and it's still my first love even though I have since been persuaded into triathlon by my husband. I love trying all sorts of sports and try to lead by example, encouraging and inspiring my stepchildren to try as many active pursuits as possible. I'm so happy that physical activity is now what I get to be involved in every day. It may surprise you to know that I still struggle with motivation from time to time and to fit in my own training but the people I work with inspire me every day.

I love swimming and team sports – hockey, netball, and rounders. I'm hoping to organise an inter practice rounders match soon. I also love trying new things to keep it interesting, last year I tried kayaking with my daughter and niece. This year I started a dance class at the age of 51 – a tap class this led me onto doing ballet too! I might be trying an introduction to rowing later this year.

I work full time as a Practice Manager which is an extremely challenging and rewarding role, but it is more than full time, so any spare time is limited. Juggling all my commitments and work is hard, although I am beginning to get to grips with my role after 10 years of it!

I am constantly trying to fit more activity into my day – it has not been unusual for us to do walking meetings, I encourage my team and those around me to be more active and we have had netball, fun runs, walking routes and now the Park Run. I positively love seeing people trying to do things actively and feel encouraged to try for myself all the time.

I'm a 36 year old mum of 2 super energetic boys and fortunately I had a really positive experience of sport growing up and so being active and enjoying it has been something I have really valued, but also which has encouraged me to help the next generation of girls and also other females my age to get involved in sport and help them to have a positive experience. At 18 I qualified as a professional basketball coach which then led on to becoming a children's fitness instructor for the NHS, a gym instructor and a nutrition specialist which allowed me to branch off into lecturing sport at college and setting up a fitness business which helps women with their nutrition and fitness from the comfort of their own home. I've also set up a "Back to Basketball" programme for women who want to get back into a fun form of fitness. I understand not only the physical health benefits but also, I appreciate the mental wellbeing that is positively affected through sport and being active. Having now retired from competitive basketball there's nothing I love more than escaping on my paddleboard where it's just me, my board and the water……………. Oh, and if I'm feeling competitive, I might race some ducks!!!

I'm a mother of three and work part time in finance. I've always loved sport. At school it was netball hockey and basketball. When I worked overseas I got into triathlon now it's netball with a bit of tennis and cycling. For me exercise makes me feel energised and I love the support network of my netball team and club.

Six years ago we set up Windsor Netball Club hoping to pass on our passion. It takes up quite a bit of my time but I love seeing the players develop their skills, confidence and network (hopefully for life!). It's a great way to get rid of stress, share a problem and have a laugh.

This photo is showing some of the Mothers and Daughters at Windsor Netball Club, Brenda is second from the left.