I grew up on a farm in Lincolnshire, England, where my love of the great outdoors and animals of all kinds, especially horses, began. After studying archaeology and history of architecture at university I worked for English Heritage for several years until moving to the Marche region in Italy in 2005.

In Italy I discovered sport and began to run, completing my first marathon in Venice in 2007. Several marathons later I took to the water and wheels and completed seven long distance ‘Ironman’ triathlons in three years. Needing a rest, I visited Kamalaya, a beautiful resort on Koh Samui,  Thailand, where I was fortunate enough to meet Tracey Fenner, a wonderful Nia Black Belt teacher based in Hong Kong, who just happened to be there teaching a Nia workshop. I had never heard of Nia, but Tracey was persuasive and I decided to give it a try. It was the best decision I’d made for a long time as it was ‘love at first dance’ and from that first lesson my life completely changed direction. Soon after I completed my White Belt in Thailand, followed by the Green Belt in the UK, Nia 52 Moves in Germany and Blue Belt in Italy.

I teach classic Nia classic and 52 Moves classes in Tuscany, Alto Adige, Rome and in England when I visit home. Dancing with my brother in my first Nea class as a teacher was one of the highlights of my life! When I’m not dancing or teaching English, I’m out walking or running in the hills and forest around Arezzo, Tuscany, where I currently live, or competing in trail and mountain races.

My vision for my life is to continue to explore my limits and excel in everything I do with a smile on my face! I want to share with others the joy of movement through Nia and my love of nature, which nurture my mind, body and spirit every day. I hope that I can show people a fun way to a healthier and fitter lifestyle.