I met Sophie through mutual friends in fitness, and immediately I knew she brought something special to the fitness industry. She has a warm energy, a calming disposition and an unflappable commitment to her clients and the practice of yoga. I’m really excited to partner with her for a special Bootcamp & Bend event on Saturday 17 September. After 45min of high-intensity bootcamp with me, Sophie will be taking the crew through a series of flowing vinyasa style stretches and yoga sequences to lengthen the body, open the mind and leave you feeling strong and balanced as you take on the weekend. It’s the ideal opportunity for keen bootcampers to try their hand at yoga, and for dedicated yogis to enjoy the intensity and teamwork of bootcamp.

Here Sophie shares a little more about herself so you can get to know her before joining us next Saturday!

When & why did health and wellness start to become a top priority for you?

I have always enjoyed exercise, especially at school. However until just over a year ago I was living a pretty unhealthy lifestyle. Working all hours as an Assistant Director in TV meant that I never had time to exercise. I was so exhausted that I didn’t put much thought into what I ate and wellness just wasn’t a priority. After 8 years in the industry my body began to give up on me, and after a bad period of insomnia I came to the realisation that things really needed to change. So I quit my job – a tough decision at the time – and once I started on the road to getting fit and healthy again I haven’t looked back.

How often do you personally practise yoga, and what benefits does a regular practice offer you?

I try to practise 4 times a week and I would love to practise more but sometimes I find it difficult to fit my own practice into a busy week! A regular practice helps me stay grounded, it helps me switch off from the business of life, it helps me feel more open in my body and mind, and most of all it helps me feel balanced.

Describe your unique yoga teaching style in one sentence…

Dynamic and energetic with fun and creative sequences that will make you feel revitalised and glowing!

What’s your most exciting fitness career highlight to date?

Having 56 people turn up to my Lululemon class this summer was pretty special!

Who do you look to for inspiration in the fitness industry or in the business of fitness?

I look to both the teachers that I assist for – Julie Montagu and Rachel Okimo. I love their different styles of teaching and both of them have inspired me to be the teacher I am.

Which yoga pose makes you feel strongest?

Crow pose – I really used to struggle with this pose as I had such weak shoulders and arms (I found it hard to do a press up for a long time!) so it reminds me how far I have come and how with practice and determination you can achieve anything.

What fitness discipline pushes you most out of your comfort zone?

Probably bootcamp! I find high intensity training very tough and I have to remember that the mind gives up way before the body does.

How would you describe the London fitness scene compared to other countries and cities around the world?

I can only really compare it to Australia – where I received my yoga qualifications – and I would say that we have a bit of catching up to do here in London. In Sydney and Melbourne fitness and wellness seems much more accessible and affordable. Of course the good weather encourages people to be outside and be more active. But there also seems to be a real consciousness around healthy eating and an acceptance of different dietary requirements.

What excites you most about the upcoming Bootcamp & Bend event?

I am looking forward to uniting bootcamp with yoga! It will be fun and interesting motivating a whole group of people after they have had an extremely energetic workout…. I also hope that the people who may not have tried yoga before but are more of the ‘team bootcamp’ will be pleasantly surprised at how dynamic and energetic yoga can be.  I am really looking forward to being part of a new type of workout, creating something exciting and fresh…and hopefully Bootcamp and Bend will have many more interesting events to come!

Find out more about Bootcamp & Bend and secure your spot (spaces are going quick!) before they’re gone. We look forward to meeting and training with you!

If you’re on Instagram and you follow me and my awesome friend in fitness Chiara Pellegrino, you already know that we’re joining forces to run a winter fitness retreat in the beautiful Italian Alps. If this is news to you, check the following dates in your diary: Wednesday 9 March to Sunday 13 March. All clear? Good, now add ‘Get fit with Chiara & Brit’ at La Scuola de Chiappera near Turin, Northern Italy. Take a look at the information page on 4fitnessake.co.uk for all the essential details, including where you’ll be staying, how to get there and how much it will cost. Then have a scan through these additional 5 reasons to join us. Best read quickly – we only have a few spots left!

1. A weekend with the friendliest faces in fitness

Chiara is best known for kicking butts at Psycle in Mayfair and Canary Wharf (and previously across all locations of barrecore). For the next four weeks (starting today), you’ll also find her teaching Sweaty Betty’s boxing-inspired Rumble workout in the Marylebone store. Whether you know her from the barre, the bike or the boutique, you’ll recognise her by the giant smile she wears during every workout. While I naturally find it harder to sing my own praises, I don’t go by ‘London’s fiercest & friendliest trainer’ without reason. The most common reaction when Heartcore clients try their first TRX workout with me? “You seem so sweet and bubby, and then the class starts…” Yep, I’ll kick your butt. But I promise to do it with love!

2. Three serious butt-busting workouts daily

Speaking of butt-kicking, just how do we intend to whip you into shape? Why, with no less than 3 workouts per day. Kickstarting every morning with fasted cardio, we will supercharge your metabolism and give you an endorphin boost to energise you the whole day through. You’ll need it, because following afternoon activities in the beautiful snowy surrounds, you’ll be back at it with strength focused evening workouts and stretchy yoga-inspired mat sessions.

3. Mellow meditation in the mountains

Chiara and I agree on a lot of things, but the one thing we connect most passionately about is how important it is to unite wellbeing of the body and wellbeing of the mind. Immersed in the Italian Alps, your mental self will receive just as much attention as your physical self. At least once a day there will be dedicated time for meditation and reflection. Whether it’s solo time in the mountains, or an extra long savasana to end the day, we will encourage you to dig deep and discover more about yourself, your goals and your true potential.

4. Interactive workshops to explore your full potential

Speaking about your true potential, you already know you’re awesome and capable of awesome things, right? Just in case you’ve forgotten, or have underestimated yourself in any capacity, we’ll be there to remind you that you really do rock. Every night, we’ll come together over a workshop to explore the ways that you can use food, exercise and mindfulness to unleash just a little more awesomeness. You’re already joining us because you’re a go-getter, so these workshops are designed to expand the knowledge and confidence you need to meet and exceed your health goals.

5. Mindful nutrition to make your mouth melt

Although Chiara and I love to eat and cook healthily, we’re entrusting the menu design to an inspiring team of wellness entrepreneurs inspiring Londoners to explore more wholesome and adventurous cooking. We’ve very excited that Mindful Chef has agreed to create a bespoke retreat menu, taking into account the availability of organic fruit, veg and meat grown or reared on-site at La Scuola de Chiappera. Stomach rumbling yet? It should be. Nowhere else will you get UK nutrition experts helping you fuel your body, and local Italian chefs committed to feeding your soul.

I hope you’re convinced. I’m personally counting down the sleeps until I board the flight to Turin and prepare to meet 8 fun, beautiful and inspiring clients on the other side. Oh, did I mention there are just 8 spots? And over half are already gone! Book your space at 4fitnessake.co.uk now. I’ll see you there!