JO MORRISON

I learned many years ago that when you have a problem it's the way you deal with it that shapes your life.  Until you are willing to change what you want to achieve does not change.

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I have been working as a certified Coaching Professional for over 25 years. I trained with the best as an Army Physical Training Instructor and when I left the military I set up a very successful private Personal Training and Coaching Center in South Manchester where I specialised in Weight-loss and Conditioning training. I now work with a select number of clients who want to achieve their personal goals

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What makes me the expert? I have faced significant health challenges in my life and these have challenged, tested and made me grow as a person. At 26 I was diagnosed with advanced aggressive cervical cancer as a result I had to deal with early menopause, childlessness, physical and emotional scars from the radiation treatment and the journey of recovery. In 2008 I was again diagnosed with skin cancer and within 3 months was devastated when I was told I had a Large Benign Menengioma Brain Tumor having had 18 months of siezures and strange behavior that I had no idea were being caused by this mass Throughout this time I was still training and coaching clients in and around London having sold my business in Manchester in 2007 . So life took a very steep detour and dosed up on masses of drugs and not knowing if I was going to survive or ever walk again I went off to Kings Hospital for a spot of brain surgery to remove the tumor. Little did I know that my journey was only just beginning. I spent the next 6 years learning how to walk again with physio and exercises, I had to learn how to move again, train again stand up again and live again. I had to deal with the emotional effect and the physical body changes that came with the brain injury.

 

I took my first steps with walking sticks and straps to keep my foot up. I fell over a lot because my brain didn't know how to correct itself and could not feel my leg why wouldn't it move? I took one step at a time and never gave up. My body was bloated from steroids and I had gained over 3 stone or 36lb within 3 months I looked like I was going to explode and I couldn't get off the drugs I spent weeks reducing the dosage and experiencing withdrawal. I was trapped in a body I didn't know and I was lonely and scared and angry. Why me why do I get sick? Seriously there is no point in fighting with yourself it only causes more pain but what you can do is change......

 

I changed my life and my behavior because I wanted to live life to the full in the best possible way that I could and there was no way that this was going to let this happen again without a fight. I knew that I had to make more changes to support my body if I was going to live. I understand that only by creating positive change can you move forward. Often when a client has been very sick with cancer, disability, grief and life changing events their health continues to suffer it can be distressing and overwhelming and the way forward may not be clear. Sadly it often takes a significant event to happen before we take action. I personally understand the challenges that you face and can show you how to bring positive achievable changes into your life. Great people use the experts around them and let go of the anxiety and stress. I take great pride in the progress and success of my clients, and look forward to helping you! Every client is different and as such my services are bespoke and individual. It took a team of dedicated people to get me to where I am today, I didn't do it on my own so why should you. This photograph was taken in 2015 in the mountains in France and although I may never ski again I can snow walk and who knows maybe one day I will ski if I just take another step. I never thought I would ever do that but I did and for that I am thankful.