Sharon used her passion for fitness to start her own business

Sharon Sheriff is the owner of 1-2-1 Fitness and is a personal trainer, fitness instructor and, more recently, a sports massage therapist.

Sharon’s passion for fitness started many years ago while serving as a member of the Armed Forces.

But after having to leave this behind due to personal circumstances, Sharon’s own fitness suffered greatly leading to weight gain and health issues, and sadly took a back seat while she raised her family.

As her children grew up and left home and her job left her feeling unfulfilled her thoughts returned to fitness and a new challenge. From there she decided to take advantage of her love of fitness and began creating her own brand and business.

Sharon said: “I was in retail management and area management for 15 years and always attended a gym after a back injury forced the issue of my weight gain, and I fell into spin and classes and loved it.

“Faced with redundancy I took the route of exercise to music then personal training.

“I had always been fit while serving in the army and while abroad but coming home I stopped being interested as the job and family life took over and weight gain started, so getting back in the gym and being encouraged by a good friend and instructor I fell into the job.

“But I wouldn’t change it now at all. When asked ‘do I like my job’ I feel that smile start inside and I just say I love it and think of my clients and that smile is there every day, getting out of bed isn’t a chore. I look forward to each day and it’s highlights and its challenges.

“I want to help people and make a difference to create and develop great fitness and nutritional habits, build strong, healthy bodies and accomplish their own goals.

“I want to use my passion, knowledge, experience and for fitness to motivate people on their own journeys, increase their health, self esteem and maintain a positive self image.

“Whether it’s my personal training business or classes, or my new enterprise in Sports Massage Therapy, I’m 100 per cent committed to the journey my clients take.

“And I never give up on anyone. Someone helped me realise my potential and stuck by me and if I can help just one person it worthwhile.”

Sharon says her client base has always been organic, she has never advertised, word of mouth being her source of clients so being nominated for this award has made her immensely proud and honoured.

Sharon said: “It’s most rewarding seeing a client reach there goals and, challenges reaching their potential and pushing themselves to achieve more, the set backs they have and getting those rectified so the client stays on track, usually around food, emotions and helping the client to get back on track in a class environment it’s seeing that new starter develop make friends grow in confidence and enjoy getting and again striving to do more so pushing them selves. challenge in classes is to make it interesting and challenging for members all the time and fun it’s gotta be fun also people need to feel welcomed and safe.”

Sharon was born in Singapore but grew up in County Durham before settling in Retford. But she has spent time time working in the Women’s Royal Army Corps and Naffi (Navy, Army and Air Force Institute in Germany and Northern Ireland.

Sharon is married to Dean and has four sons, two of her own and two step sons.

She said: “I’m exceptionally proud of them for so many reasons, they all have grown into amazing young men, and my husband Dean and I have a lot to be thankful for.

“Dean works away in his job so our time when he’s home is precious but he supports what I do as we are both self employed.”

Family life 4 grown up boys 2 of my own and 2 step sons, of whom I’m exceptionally proud of for so many reasons they all have grown into amazing young men, and my husband dean and I have a lot to be thankful for, dean works away in his job so I just do my bit here so again our time when he’s home is precious but he supports what I do as we both self employed and I enjoy good food so I will indulge in fine dining on occasion

Sharon sheriff I’m in my 40s I hate age and getting old so never say just where in my 40s, lol born in Singapore a forces child, grew up in County Durham, but my mums family were here Retford so on return from Germany I came home, I have 2 sisters whom I’m close to albeit they live away from Retford

Work history, armed forces in the women’s royal army corp 6years worked for the Naffi(navy, army and Air Force institute) forces shopping in Germany and.Northern Ireland which led to coming back to uk and into coop as a store manager and later operations management role, from there into the world of personal trainer, varied and fun in all aspects

1. What was my inspiration for applying for this role?

I didn’t apply for this award I was nominated by a client I have at 180 fitness in Retford and supported by gym manager Roy Barber, I also have the backing of the team I work with at Dw fitness and all my clients and class members and my massage clients too all supporting me and voting for me too which is great

4.What has been your biggest achievement?

Biggest achievement a client on a 10stone journey and her being half way there with just over 5stone to go, watching her confidence grow, motivation and determination develop and push her to complete the moon walk this year, seeing her shape change, seeing her share how well she’s doing, watching her walk the gym in new fitted gym clothes, instead of that baggy top, seeing her challenge herself every class every session every day, seeing her mental health change, running 5k with her because we can, just to keep that motivation, planning a triathlon together, such a transformation and such a joy to watch grow and unfold in front of me a true privilege

Seeing a client with life changing brain damage hold a dumbbell and use it, seeing her smile because she walked half a mile, watching her make friends every time as she never remembers anyone, when she uses a weights machine unaided it’s the one who puts my word back into perspective but she tries and keeps trying never giving up

I have so many stories to tell I can go on for ages on this one but these 2 are my special ones, for no other reason they’ve been with me since the start, but all my clients and class members have had achievements some as small as learning to skip but each one makes you smile and realise how Privileged and humbled to have been part of whatever journey they are on

What are your ambitions?

Wow such a big question I want to be a good personal trainer, class leader and massage therapist I want my clients to be happy and achieve their goals, on a personal level I just love what I do, I want my own journey to inspire and motivate people to strive to do this for themselves and be happy have a balance in their lives and I never give up with them.

What are your hobbies/interests outside of work

Again interesting I work 7days a week 6 days split between dw and 180 fitness and home massage clients, so my time off is precious, I love to cycle so go to sherwood pines red route off road cycling, I have some amazing family and friends whom I enjoy spending time with, inc my 4 god children and my grown up 4 sons. I’m enjoy like any other woman shopping but usually end up with trainers now rather than my trademark high heels, I do enjoy reading true story novels, and music always looking for that next spin track, so kinda always at work but not

A bit about your family life, your age, where you’re from, education, job history, etc.