Get To Know Me: Celebrating My 5 Year Milestone
I’m Alyson
Balanced Her Founder,
Class Instructor & Personal Trainer
Grab a cuppa and sit down with me as I reflect on my 5 year milestone. If you’re new here, welcome. If we’re already well acquainted, prepare to get to know me even better!
The Origins of Balanced Her
Q1. You’ve been running Balanced Her for five years now. Take us back to the very start: what made you do it and is it exactly as you imagined it would be?
A: When I started Balanced Her I was 35, had two children under the age of three, and had recently relocated from London to the countryside for a slower pace of life. Like many new mothers, I struggled to recognise myself after childbirth. I felt disconnected from my body, knew very few people in the area, and often felt isolated as I adjusted to life in Herefordshire and our new home.
My vision was to create the kind of well-being space I personally wanted and needed - a place where I could exercise, connect with others, and feel supported through future stages of life. I wanted to build something sustainable that could grow alongside its members and that would stand the test of time.
From the beginning, Balanced Her was dedicated to supporting women through every stage of womanhood. The aim has always been to help women navigate movement and exercise in a way that felt enjoyable, empowering, and sustainable, while creating opportunities to connect with like-minded women and build a genuine sense of community. This is the part of the business that has far exceeded my expectations - all thanks to the women that this community attracts and keeps hold of. If I could show my past self a glimpse of what now stands in front of me, I’d be really very proud!
Q2. Was there a moment, or a woman you worked with early on that made you think this is exactly what I’m supposed to be doing?
A: Every woman I’ve worked with since starting Balanced Her has reinforced why I do what I do. While each person comes to me with her own story and unique reasons for reaching out, there’s often a common thread: so many women are constantly giving to others, juggling endless responsibilities, and struggling to make space for themselves and their well-being.
Watching women begin to prioritise themselves again (without guilt) is incredibly rewarding. I love helping them realise that self-care isn’t selfish. In fact, when we take care of ourselves, we’re far better equipped to show up for the people and things we care about most. Seeing the transformation go far beyond fitness alone and watching clients build confidence, balance, energy and self-worth has truly become my ‘why.’
Fitness, The Balanced Her Way.
Q3. You work specifically with women and your approach goes far beyond just fitness. How would you describe what you actually do, in your own words?
A: I believe it’s so important that we take a truly holistic approach to health and well-being, especially as women. There are so many factors that influence how we feel - physical, mental and emotional. At the Garden Studio, one of the many subjects surrounding women we discuss is ageing and how, in today’s society, it’s too often viewed negatively. I love encouraging women to resist that mindset and alternatively to celebrate growing older and view it as a privilege. Becoming wiser, stronger and more capable with every year is something the older ladies in this community demonstrate so well - we should all learn from them!
For both myself and my clients, well-being is about creating sustainable habits that fit into real, everyday life. While movement and improving cardiovascular fitness, bone health and muscle mass are all incredibly important, my approach doesn’t view exercise in isolation. We also focus on nourishing our bodies and minds through good sleep, balanced nutrition, rest, stress management and building a supportive network. In addition, laughter, celebration and trying new things are practices I integrate into my classes and special events. After all, having fun is an important pillar of health, often overlooked but not to be underestimated!
Fitness is my focus, but my community forms the foundation of Balanced Her. It grounds everything I do. Over the last 5 years, I’ve hosted group walks, activities and seasonal retreats amongst many other celebrations. Exercise is of course what primarily brings my members together but once you’re part of the community, the opportunities for a good time are limitless.
Q4. Perimenopause, post natal recovery, cycle syncing. These aren’t things most personal trainers talk about. Why does it matter to you that this is part of the conversation?
A: These are just a handful of the real milestones and experiences that so many women experience, and they have a huge impact on how we feel, move and live day-to-day. Yet for a long time, many of these conversations were overlooked or dismissed within the fitness industry - the large majority of research carried out centred around men’s health.
As women, our bodies are constantly changing throughout the different seasons of life, which is why it’s so important that exercise and well-being mirrors the fluidity of womanhood. Women should never be expected to push through or ignore what they’re experiencing, both physically and emotionally. Whether it’s exercising safely during pregnancy, navigating perimenopause, recovering after having children, or simply understanding how our cycle can affect our energy levels, mood and performance. Acquiring and sharing knowledge is incredibly powerful - the more we talk and share our experiences with others, the more substantial the bank of information we have to draw upon as individuals.
The challenging life stages women experience throughout life can leave them feeling frustrated, disconnected from their bodies, or believe they’re somehow failing. I want to help change that narrative - exercise should support women, not punish them, plus understanding our bodies better allows us to approach movement and well-being with far more compassion, confidence and resilience.
What’s more, I’m qualified in specialist post-natal exercise and take a trauma informed approach to movement. It’s very important to me that I’m continually learning and training - equipping myself with the latest insights and knowledge to benefit the community - and more broadly, be part of the positive change with regards to women’s health.
Q5. What’s the biggest misconception women have when they first come to you, and how does that usually shift?
A: So many of the women I work with come to me carrying a negative relationship with exercise. It’s often something they feel they should do, rather than something they genuinely enjoy. And those are two very different sentiments. When we first meet, many can’t imagine ever looking forward to a workout, but after a few weeks into our workout routine, they can’t imagine missing a session!
What usually shifts is their understanding of movement. Once we break down the barriers around what they thought exercise had to look or feel like, they begin to discover forms of movement that actually make them feel good - both physically and mentally.
I’m a big believer in helping women understand why they’re doing a particular movement, rather than simply following instructions without context. With every programme I design, I explain not only what we’re doing, but why it’s included and how it supports their strength, fitness, confidence, and everyday life. I also don’t believe in doing things you don’t like. If you hate burpees, that’s fine - I won’t make you do them! We’ll just find an alternative you do enjoy that has the same benefits. That’s the beauty of having a personal trainer write a bespoke programme for you.
Knowledge is empowering and when women understand their bodies and the purpose behind their training, exercise becomes something they want to do, not something they feel forced into.
The Balanced Her Community
Q6. The community around Balanced Her feels genuinely different to a lot of fitness spaces. How did that happen? Was it something you set out to build, or did it grow organically?
A: I think leading by example is really important. I genuinely love what I do which makes it easy to be positive and engaged in each session I teach. But the largest credit goes to the women who make up the Balanced Her community.
We have women of all ages, backgrounds, and personalities, yet they all possess one shared trait - they genuinely support one another. They celebrate each other’s progress, encourage one another through challenges, and fiercely welcome new members from the moment they walk through the door.
I think that comes from the fact that every woman remembers what it felt like attending her very first session. They understand how daunting it can be, and how much difference a friendly face and a warm welcome can make.
What’s grown organically over time is a community where women feel comfortable, supported, and accepted exactly as they are. I’m incredibly grateful that so many of them are passionate about helping other women experience the same confidence, connection, and enjoyment they’ve found through Balanced Her.
Q7. What does it mean to you when a woman who came to you for fitness tells you it changed something much bigger in their life?
A: These moments are really special because they remind me that fitness is rarely just about fitness. Often women come looking to feel stronger physically, but what they gain goes far beyond that.
I’ve seen women grow in confidence, set boundaries, back themselves in situations they once would have avoided, and reconnect with parts of themselves they’d lost along the way. Sometimes it’s about having more energy for their children or grandchildren, sometimes it’s finding friendships and support, and sometimes it’s simply learning to prioritise themselves without guilt.
Movement has a way of showing women what they’re capable of. When they realise they can do hard things physically, that strength often carries over into other areas of life too. To have played a small part in someone feeling like a better version of themselves is the most rewarding part of what I do.
The Garden Studio
Q8. The Garden Studio is such a specific, special setting. Tell us about it. What does it feel like to train there and why does it matter?
A: The Garden Studio was created to feel completely different from a traditional gym environment. I wanted it to feel calm, private, welcoming, and un-intimidating. A space where women could walk into and instantly feel comfortable, regardless of their fitness level or previous experiences with exercise. Being surrounded by nature changes the atmosphere entirely. There’s something really grounding about training in a space filled with natural light, fresh air, and a backdrop of green. It feels peaceful, uplifting, and far removed from the busy, high-pressure atmosphere that many people associate with gyms.
I love that it changes with the seasons, just like the women who fill it. Our outdoor exercises classes in the Garden Studio have a beautiful transience and immersive quality - or in other words a ‘wrapped in nature’ feel. The environment matters because how you feel in a space has a huge impact on your confidence and your willingness to keep showing up. For many women, stepping into a gym can feel overwhelming or daunting, especially if they’ve had negative experiences in the past. The Garden Studio removes a lot of those barriers.
5 Years of Balanced Her
Q9. What do you know now that you wish you’d known when you started?
A: I wish I’d known that people would keep coming back! Imposter syndrome, self-doubt and self-inflicted pressure for Balanced Her to be a success were all stumbling blocks I faced when starting out. Looking back, that is all part of the process and feeling out of your comfort zone is how you grow - which I certainly did! I’ve learnt that growth comes from the doing. From listening, adapting, and learning as you go. Some of the best parts of Balanced Her have evolved naturally through experience and from the women who’ve been part of the journey.
But if I could have told myself that I’d have ladies continuing to show up to 1:1 training and group classes, week in, week out, 5 years down the line, I’d have maybe slept a little easier in those first couple of years!
Q10. You’ve built something that is genuinely at capacity and deeply valued. What does that feel like after 5 years of putting so much of yourself into it?
A: Whilst I’m all for looking ahead, looking back helps you see how far you’ve come!
It really means so much to me that Balanced Her has harnessed such a wonderful reputation in the Herefordshire area. Despite Balanced Her being a Hereford-based organisation, I have some clients travel over an hour to attend my group classes or 1:1 personal training sessions which is incredibly gratifying.
Q11. What are you most proud of?
A: Client retention. Some of the women I train have been attending since the first class I ever taught. They show up through the seasons, in all weathers, bring friends and family, and help spread the word that the gym isn’t necessarily what you think it is!
Also, having my two daughters grow up with a positive, inclusive view of exercise. The narrative has evolved beyond recognition compared to when I was their age - movement was often positioned as punishment and gyms were exclusive, intimidating places only really used by a narrow demographic of women. On a daily basis, they watch women of all ages, abilities and shapes turn up to move their bodies for enjoyment and I hope this shapes how they view exercise for the rest of their lives.
Over the next 5 years, I hope to continue to build the legacy of Balanced Her - as a constant for women in a fast-moving environment that is increasingly more challenging to navigate.
Looking Forward
Q12. What would you say to a woman sitting at home right now who’s curious about what you do, but doesn’t feel ready to reach out?
A: I’d say that today is always a good day to start, because the ‘perfect’ time often never arrises. So many women wait until they feel fitter, more confident, less busy, or more motivated before taking that first step — but the truth is, most women who walk through the door feel nervous at first.
You don’t need to be fit enough, know what you’re doing, or have everything figured out before you begin. That’s exactly what I’m here for. Balanced Her supports women in feeling comfortable, supported, and capable from day one. Every single woman in the room was once the new person too, and they all remember what that first session felt like.
Sometimes the hardest part is simply booking the first class. But it can also be the catalyst for the beginning of something that changes far more than just your fitness level.
Q13. What can we expect to see more of from you? Any future aspirations for the business you can share?
A: Leading up to our 5 Year Anniversary, I've been taking a digital detox. A welcomed opportunity to reflect on the last 5 years. This pause has inspired a slower, more intentional approach to Balanced Her’s online presence, inviting a shift from short-form to long-form. My new mantra - scroll less, discover more!
I’ve always been an advocate of social media as a space to engage, connect and build a community, however like many of us, I can’t help but notice my screen time creeping up and up. The goal here isn’t perfection, nor is it about retrieving the fax machine from the attic - it’s about re-imagining my online presence, and the knock-on effect this has on my in-person presence - with my family, friends and Balanced Her community.
I’m delighted to announce the launch of her Journal - a space designed for women, with education and knowledge at the heart. Not only for our members, but with the hope to reach women worldwide who may be in need of support. If only in the smallest capacity, like feeling seen, validated or less alone in their experiences.
Mirroring the seasonal changes distinctive of the Garden Studio, I’ll be sharing updates to our socials from time to time throughout the year. I wanted to take the opportunity to say that I appreciate every share, every tag and every personal recommendation - I honestly adore seeing Balanced Her through the eyes of the community. I look forward to sharing our Summer Edition update.