Deciding to work with a personal trainer is a big step and a hugely personal decision; you need to know that you will get on with them. Below are the biographies of all our trainers and a short introduction video so you can start to get to know us………..don’t laugh though we’re trainers not TV presenters.
Craig O’Toole BSc (Hons)
“I’ve been personal training for around 8 years. I originally graduated with a Sports Science Degree and thought, what’s next? I was nudged in the direction of personal training and the rest as they say is history. I’m very lucky to be able to say that I love what I do for a living! I’ve had the privilege of helping many people lose weight and get in shape, train for marathons, triathlons and various other challenges. I’ve been able to help numerous clients rehabilitate from severe back pain – a real interest of mine, as well as knee and shoulder injuries. I’ve worked with clients suffering from Autism, Fibromyalgia, Cancer, Heart Disease, Diabetes, Achondroplasia, DVT and Depression, as well as helping pre & post natal mums stay healthy during and after pregnancy. I currently provide strength and conditioning support to Tabard Rugby Club and health and wellness support to several local businesses. I’m also a consultant for Runners World, Men’s Health, FitPro and Optima Magazines as well as appearing on BBC Radio as a fitness expert.
At the moment I’m half way through a Masters Degree in strength and conditioning as well as regularly attending courses and conventions to stay at the cutting edge of the fitness industry – for me this is one of the best bits of my job as I’m a bit of a nerd really! I work closely with top practitioners in physio therapy, massage therapy, acupuncture, osteopathy and nutritional therapy. We work as a virtual team to ensure we can provide clients with a variety of services where necessary.
Outside of work I’m pretty active as you’ve probably guessed, I enjoy running, squash, golf, swimming and lifting weights. I’m a big film fan and love going to the cinema. I’ve generally always got my head in a book and love learning new things. At some point I’d love to learn to play the guitar but that might have to wait until retirement.”
Malin Ericsson BSc (Hons)
“In my home country of Sweden I worked as a nurse in a hospital and in the gym in my spare time teaching body pump, spinning and gym instruction. My interest in resistance training spurred me on to take my gym instructor course in Stockholm and just a couple of weeks later I moved to London, where I started work as a personal trainer. I still felt that I needed to learn more about exercise and fitness, so I enrolled at the University of Westminster to study Sports and Exercise Science, where I received a First Class Honours Degree.
During my studies I continued to work with clients training them in parks and in their homes, helping them to lose weight and get in shape. After graduating I continued to work with clients and continued to improve my knowledge by becoming a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. In 2006 I had my first baby girl and realised that there was a shortage of fitness options for mums, where babies were welcome too. As a result of this I started Jogga Momma, which proved to be very popular.
My main passions are sport specific training, nutrition, metabolic conditioning, weight loss and kettlebell training. Next on my list of courses are Pilates and Powerclub training. My personal interest include; baking, healthy nutrition, reading cookbooks and watching cooking programmes. I enjoy training and trying new exercises and equipment that I can incorporate into my clients programmes. I also enjoy travelling and taking my girls to experience new places. My long term ambition is to share my knowledge and passion by teaching personal training, fitness and sports science.”
