Former marine keeps community fit

By Victoria Bartlett
BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight

Simon is one of eight children - one of his brothers helps instruct the classes

Former marine, Simon Weatherall from Winchester, has left Iraq behind him and is helping the communities of Hampshire keep fit.

After leaving the military because it "wasn't the life for a married man" Simon tried his hand at many jobs.

It was through personal training and inspiring people through fitness that the 28-year-old finally found his feet.

Simon now coaches young mums through to elderly women in sheltered housing and organises sports events for all.

"It's a State of Mind"

Simon got a taste for life as a marine commando when he went for a week-long trial while he was at Eastleigh College. He was hooked:

"They showed me opportunity and there were no boundaries to what you can achieve. The fast speedboat trip we took at the end of the week was the clincher though!"

Simon runs his classes in all weathers - not just on the sunny days!

He didn't 'have the courage' to join up immediately but a bit further down the line he was bet £50 that he would never be a marine. That was the only push he needed.

Simon joined marine commando training with 53 others at 18 years old. He was the youngest of the 8 to get through and went on to serve in Sierra Leone and Northern Ireland.

He also went to Iraq just a week after getting married: "That was properly scary. It was the real thing.

"I loved the time I spent with the marines and I thought I'd be in for 22 years. But I also wanted to be a family man. I was away more in war zones than I was peacekeeping and, after losing a couple of friends as well, I felt it wasn't fair on my wife to put her through that. So I got out."

Finding his feet

The Commando Fit class members are assessed every 12 weeks

"When I left I got a bit of a shock. It was difficult getting accustomed to my new life and get settled into work.

"I tried every job I could - from putting up marquees to being a car salesman - but being a personal trainer is where I feel I'm doing something worthwhile. I'm not satisfied unless I'm making a difference to people's lives."

Having got qualified, Simon set up his own business providing specialised fitness training.

All Simon's fitness classes are based outdoors. He says: "People don't need to go to a gym to keep fit. It's good to be out in the open air - it's very refreshing!"

He runs military style classes for all ages and abilities - tracking their fitness and offering a wide range of circuit-based training.

Karen from Winchester prefers exercising in the local recreation ground: "Gyms make me paranoid - there are mirrors everywhere and people staring at you - this is much better."

Sally-Anne Malone from Wonston says: "It's Simon's personality that keeps me coming back - he pushes and pulls you in the right direction, but is always sincere.

"Gym sessions are a lonely thing to do - I prefer to be outside with friendly, motivating people."

Family man

Simon and his brother Stefan help with restless babies when necessary!

Simon has also set up mother and baby classes - where the mums do similar circuits but tamed down appropriately and adapted to their needs.

Their babies are in tow so that childcare isn't an issue. The children either join in or watch and be entertained by their mums getting hot and sweaty!

Simon has a young son of his own now, so appreciates more than ever, what it takes to get sleep-deprived mothers to turn up and take part.

"Having George has really made me understand how much effort it requires just to get out of the door with a young child."

Baby Noah dozes off while mum, Anna, gets her workout!

Vicky Halliden, a Winchester mum of two, says: "I started with the mother and baby classes - it got me outside and meeting people again. I think it helps prevent post-natal depression in that way.

"I then moved onto the commando classes. I used to play rugby but I had to stop that when I was pregnant. I also work for an investment bank so couldn't go back to that sort of fitness because the black eyes wouldn't go down too well in the office! These classes give me the same sense of team work."

Earlier this year the mother and baby classes joined together for a buggy push around Winchester where women could choose any length of distance from 2km - 40km!

Commando in the community

Other fitness-based community events include an annual free sports day for children from SNAPS (Special Needs Activity Playscheme) and The Grove in Kingsworthy, which offers Saturday clubs for disabled children.

Along with his business partner, Louis Martinelli, 24, Simon also runs 14 classes around the area called Later Life Fitness aimed at elderly people.

These classes help sheltered housing residents improve their quality of life by teaching them to prevent falls and increase their strength and mobility. The attendees are aged up to 94 and really enjoy themselves.

The ladies at East Acre in Winchester love their weekly class

Veronica goes to a weekly class at East Acre in Winchester: "At my age I thought it was about time to start keeping fit. We all love this class - it's a real laugh as well as being good for us - it really keeps us young."

The local councils not only support this idea but also work-based activities for their employees. Simon and his team tailor-make lunchtime workouts to help people de-stress and improve their concentration and productivity for when they are back in the office.

Simon says: "Watching normal everyday people improve is really rewarding and I enjoy helping them both physically and mentally. It can be really life-changing for them."

"I help everyone from a champion boxer to a young lady with a gastric band. Everyone works to their own level and most of them surprise themselves and each other with what they can achieve."

The group trekked across Dartmoor in 14 hours raising £3,500 for charity

In July 2009 the Commando Fit groups took part in a 30-mile hike across Dartmoor to raise money for Help the Heroes. Simon says:

"Events like this really helps the build the enjoyment, motivation and camaraderie in the groups. Most of the events are their ideas and they get involved in the arranging too so they feel achievement in every sense."

If you are interested in finding out more about any of the classes or events Simon Weatherall organises go to Get Fit 121 or call 07883 355121