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Meet the women of Nuffield Health - Michaela Afford

Category: Gender (Equality & Identity)

Gender Focus

International Women’s Day (8th March) is a chance for people all over the world to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women, increasing visibility and raising awareness about gender inequality across the world.

For International Women’s Day, we have interviewed some of our inspirational women about the challenges and bias they have faced and which women have inspired them.

In our first interview, we speak to Michaela Afford, a Wellbeing Personal Trainer at our Fitness and Wellbeing Centre in Crawley.

 

Pictured: Michaela Afford, a Wellbeing Personal Trainer at our Fitness and Wellbeing Centre in Crawley.Michaela Afford, Wellbeing Personal Trainer, Crawley

 

What do you think has changed for women between when you started your career and now? 

While fitness has always been a mix of males and females, it has often been seen that the females take part in group exercise classes, such as aerobics and yoga, while the males have dominated the personal training and strength-based elements of the gym. However, in the last few years, there has been a major shift of women coming through and crossing that invisible threshold. It is great to look around the gym floor now and see so many women lifting weights, and getting stronger and more confident.  

Similarly, there has been an increase in the number of women in managerial roles within fitness. At my site, I am so proud that eight of the nine management positions are held by women. 

What attitudes or biases do you still recognise around us? 

The main misconception I see is from the female members of an older generation, that feel they shouldn't be doing any weight training because they don't want to bulk up.  

I have been running a series of workshops to try and change this perception and help women to not only feel confident about exploring that side of the gym but also to understand why it is so important for their physical and mental health to incorporate this type of training into their routine. 

Where do you notice your womanhood boosting you as a leader? 

My womanhood has helped to boost me as a leader by having the drive and tenacity to break down barriers. When I stepped into the world of fitness, I was surrounded by men, both as colleagues and clients. While changes had already begun to take place, I wanted to be a part of driving that change further. Being a woman gives me a better understanding of what my female clients need, and I have educated myself further to better assist and empower those women on their path to wellness. 

Where do you notice your womanhood becoming a barrier for you? 

My womanhood can still be a barrier when it comes to perception of what I can do and how I can help. I often still get offers of help from male members to help me lift a dumbbell when tidying the gym floor, or if I'm stood with a male colleague, a male member will often talk directly to him when asking a question rather than me.  

Which woman has inspired you and why? 

The women that have inspired me in my life are my mum, my nan and within the fitness industry, my Body Pump trainer Denice Burr.  

My parents divorced when I was two, while they shared custody, my mum still worked two jobs, day and night,

to make sure we had everything we needed growing up. She raised us to be self-sufficient and showed me what it meant to be a strong and independent woman.  

 

Find out more about Nuffield Health

Explore current vacancies at Nuffield Health

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