Tracey's love of sport helped her deal with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

After suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after years in the police Tracey Warrener used her love of sport to become the Group Exercise Manager at West Lindsey Leisure Centre.
Tracey Warrener and Chris Dixon during a 12 hour charity cycle rideTracey Warrener and Chris Dixon during a 12 hour charity cycle ride
Tracey Warrener and Chris Dixon during a 12 hour charity cycle ride

Tracey, 49, has been in her role at the leisure centre in The Avenue, Gainsborough, for the last five years.

But she did not set out to work within this role.

In 1985 Tracey joined the Army with the intention of eventually becoming a police officer.

She said: “I enjoyed Army life, especially being able to play Army sport, representing the Army at netball, hockey, athletics and tennis. I also was awarded Best Recruit Award in Basic Training.

“I then left the Army in 1988 after attaining the rank of Lance Corporal and joined Lincolnshire Police as they were the only ones at the time recruiting.

“At Police training school I once again awarded with the Award for Best Recruit and started on the Beat in Lincoln.

“After only two years in uniform I started working in C.I.D both at Gainsborough and Lincoln, being involved in anything from assaults to murders.”

During her time in the C.I.D Tracey met her now husband, Carl, who was a policeman and they have one daughter.

Tracey said: “One of my challenging roles was carrying out the role of a Family Liaison Officer for murder enquires supporting the family members of the Murdered victims.

“After carrying out the role of a Family Liaison officer on a number of occasions with high profile murder cases, I then suffered from PTSD which led to me leaving the Police Force after 17 years of service.”

Tracey’s love for fitness helped her deal with her PTSD which led to her becoming a Group Exercise Manager.

She said: “I now work with a team of instructors to deliver high standard fitness classes to our members and community.

“I was offered the opportunity of the role of Group Exercise Manager to assist in the increase of membership base and to deliver and manage a wide variety of classes to cater for everyone, as I have held a number of Group Exercise Manager roles prior to being at West Lindsey.”

Tracey said the role can offer many challenges from developing class timetables, managing staff members, dealing with a wide range of members, dealing with any complaints to taking part in competitions, winning awards at major events, working with outside agencies and witnessing members achieving their aims and goals.

Tracey said: “I can honestly say I love what I do but didn’t come into the fitness business until 2003.

“Even though Group Exercise is my passion I would also like to focus now more on the managing of different areas within the fitness industry and finally focus on the delivering and assessing of courses.”

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