Sarah Bolitho Training & Consultancy
Supporting personal and professional development in your career and business

All about Sarah
Why Sarah? She has been in the fitness industry for nearly 35 years with experience in many roles during that time. Gym instructor/manager, studio coordinator, PT, specialist exercise professional, referral scheme manager, tutor, assessor, quality assurance, qualification development and EV, you name it – she’s done it!
Plus, Sarah has a Level 5 NVQ in Leadership and Management and is a Certified Business Strategist, so she can help you to create, run and grow your business.
Sarah has worked with large and small training providers and for awarding organisations, and has run successful training centres, Exact Training and SBTC, for nearly 20 years. She is the author of five books in the ‘Complete Guide to …’ series published by Bloomsbury and is a regular contributor to mainstream and trade publications, including FitPro.
When not working, you will usually find Sarah walking by the mountains, the sea or anywhere in nature!

Training courses
If you want to develop your career and share your experience and knowledge by moving into training, assessing and quality assurance, the following courses are ideal:
- Level 3 Award in Education and Training
- Level 3 Award in Assessing Vocational Achievement
- Level 4 Award in the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practices
Click here for details of these courses.
If you want to add specialist qualifications to your portfolio, we offer the following in-house courses for a minimum of 5 learners.
- Level 3 Diploma in Exercise Referral
- Level 3 Award in Designing Exercise Programmes for Disabled Clients
- Certificate in Activity and Exercise for Adults with Mental Health Conditions
Click here for details of these courses.

Centre Support Packages
Sarah is a certified Business Strategist so if you want to run your own training organisation, or already run a centre but need more support and guidance, we have packages to help you. There are start up options to guide you through setting up and running your centre or gaining CPD accreditation, and annual or one off support options to help develop and grow your business.
- Basic Centre Start Up or Accreditation Package
- VIP Start Up or Accreditation Package
- Annual Support Package
- One-off Strategy and Growth Package
Click here for details of these packages
If you would like to book a consultation to discuss your career options or create an action plan for your next steps, email me at admin@sarahbolitho.com and we can discuss this further.
Episode 02: Building health through habits
1. “Health is about an ability to live and function in a way that means you’re able to live your life to its fullest and how you want to, so that you are able to choose to do the things that you would like to do without restriction and without something holding you back in a way that ill health might do in both physical and mental sense.”
2. “The absence of illness doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re healthy. But or conversely, having a long-term condition doesn’t necessarily mean you’re unhealthy, you can still be very healthy within it.”
3. “Movement is fundamental for so many reasons. It really does enhance both the physical and mental health of somebody.”
4. “Find something that you really embody and that you can make part of your life because that’s another thing that I do hear a lot is the question, ‘I’ve tried so many times to exercise and I just don’t like it.'”
5. “The joy is in the journey because that’s where you do everyday stuff. And the more you enjoy something, the more you find the joy in it, and the more you feel the joy in it, the more likely you are to do it again and again and again.”
6. “Anything that you do above what you’re doing now is a success and achievement and something to be celebrated.”
7. “The reward is key when it comes to habit formation. That’s how our brains work. You need to make sure that you’re feeling the reward.”
8. “Think about how you could do the movement with other people because that’s a great technique to apply to build any habit.”
9. “Tick more than one box at the same time. Incorporate any healthy habit with other healthy habits. Because then you’re gonna get even more benefits from it that make your brain want to do that again the next time.”
Episode 11 : the healing power of nature
1. “Nature is our best therapist. Just a walk in the forest can have similar effects to rapid eye therapy, helping us process emotions and relax.”
2. “When we step out into nature, our senses awaken. It’s an opening up, an expansion of our awareness that reconnects us to the world around us.”
3. “In nature, we find a sense of resonance, a feeling of coming home. It has a profound impact on our psychology, physiology, and overall well-being.”
4. “Slowing down and tapping into the power of nature can feel strange at first, but it’s a necessary step towards finding balance and reducing stress.”
5. “Trees and mountains may seem static, but they are in tune with their own changes. They remind us of the cycles of life and the importance of embracing change.”
6. “Spending time in nature is not limited to vast landscapes. Even small moments of connection, like sitting by a window with a view of the sky, can have healing effects.”
7. “We need systemic changes that prioritize spending time in nature. It’s critical for our well-being, creativity, and decision-making abilities.”
8. “Bringing a little bit of nature into our homes, whether through plants or views of the natural world, can have a positive impact on our overall well-being.”
9. “Nature has an innate power to heal and inspire us. By immersing ourselves in its beauty, we tap into our own creativity and authentic selves.”
10. “Our connection with nature is profound. It’s time to recognize and nurture that connection for the betterment of ourselves and our society.”
Episode 12: The Power of Stretching: Unlocking Your Full Potential
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“I think everybody really endorses stretching. I think everyone should do some kind of stretching every single day.”
• “If you don’t challenge yourself, you won’t change.”
• “Stretching should be definitely built into part of your exercise routine.”
• “Stretching is incredibly important for your overall well-being.”
• “If you’re not convinced about the need for stretching as its own discipline, think about when you’re sat in a car or a plane for hours at a time, your instinct is to stretch.”
• “Stretching is a fundamental part of our activity.”
• “If you’re experiencing pain, it could be that you’re not stretching enough.”
• “Stretching can be very relaxing and should be done in a relaxed way.”
• “By staying active and stretching regularly, we can avoid or delay the deterioration of flexibility and joint function.”
• “Stretching improves circulation, reduces muscle tension, and lowers the risk of injury.”
Episode 06: Sleep, the science and the sense!
“Sleep is as vital to us as food and water. Without sleep, our physiological systems suffer, and our overall well-being is compromised.”
“Our relationship with the light-dark cycle is crucial for promoting healthy sleep. Melatonin, the ‘Dracula hormone,’ helps us fall asleep, and light suppresses its release. So, it’s important to create a sleep-friendly environment.” –
“Napping or sleep extension techniques can help rejuvenate and improve our sleep quality. However, once we’ve lost sleep, we can’t fully catch up on it. Establishing a regular sleep routine is key to maintaining optimal sleep.”
“Understanding the sleep cycle is essential. It consists of light stages, deep sleep, and dream sleep (REM sleep). Each stage plays a critical role in memory consolidation, physical restoration, and emotional stability.
“Getting enough sleep positively impacts our motivation to exercise. Regular, healthy sleep promotes a better mood and enhances our drive to engage in physical activity. The key is to maintain a consistent routine of both sleep and exercise.”
Episode 15: Positive Psychology – Nurturing Your Mind, Body, and Soul: Unlocking the Path to Optimal Well-being
“Health is the real wealth.”
“When I prioritize my own health and wellness, my business performance absolutely moves upwards.”
“It’s being honest about the why… Why you want to be more active or why you want to make more money.”
“If you’re feeling good about yourself, you need to spend more time for yourself.”
“Flow experiences are when you’re doing something and you lose track of time.”
“One of the things we mentioned earlier… is a flow experience. And I’m really intrigued by that.”
“Giving our conscious brains a bit of a rest or a bit of a break fosters creativity.”
“It’s finding the activity that gives you that flow state, that flow experience.”
“Positive psychology is about focusing on the good life, what works, what’s going well within your life.”
“Health is the real wealth, and I know this is something that a lot of people are aware of.”
Episode 13: Embracing Continuous Professional Development: Unlocking Your Full Potential in the Fitness Industry
“Continuous Professional Development is the key to unlocking your full potential in the dynamic world of fitness.”
“In an industry where knowledge is power, staying ahead of the curve is not just an option; it’s a necessity.”
“Embracing ongoing learning and growth is the secret to thriving as a fitness professional.”
“CPD enhances your knowledge, skills, and credibility, setting you apart from the competition.”
“Investing in your professional development is an investment in your future success.”
“CPD opens doors to new opportunities, collaborations, and career progression.”
“The journey of learning never ends; it’s a lifelong pursuit of excellence.”
“Challenges and barriers can be overcome with determination, resourcefulness, and a growth mindset.”
“Embrace failure as a stepping stone to success; it’s an opportunity for growth and learning.”
“In the ever-changing fitness industry, those who continue to learn will continue to thrive.”
Episode 17: Embracing Stillness: Discovering Inner Peace in a Busy World
“Stillness for me is by no means sitting in front of the TV in a packet of crisps.”
“Stillness starts with breathing. You can’t move into meditation unless you know it’s imprinted in your background, in your lifestyle.”
“The beginning stillness part is when you’re moving from your brain into your body and you’re beginning to not notice your thoughts and you’re using tools and techniques to help you do that.”
“I see it in my clients all the time, you start incorporating stillness and you will create more clarity and focus within yourself because you’ll start to become a lot calmer.”
“I think if more people before they went out and did things, they spent a bit of time just noticing their breath, they would have more clarity and focus.”
“Stillness is simple but not easy because once you stop thinking, then you start really thinking. And that’s what people are scared of.”
“Just start with three breaths, before a session, just start with that and then again at the end. Don’t let the thoughts intrude, that’s the time to stop.”
“Make sure your posture is straight. As soon as you get that out of alignment, you won’t be able to fully experience stillness.”
Episode 18: Activity in Pregnancy
“Being active in pregnancy promotes better outcomes for both mum and baby.”
• “You can get energy from exercising. It’s not just a question of using it, it’s a question of getting it.”
• “Pregnancy fitness doesn’t have to start when you get pregnant. It should ideally start before you get pregnant.”
• “The biggest thing for me that I see with all the women that I work with during pregnancy in terms of mental health is that feeling of taking control.”
• “Strength training for me is a really fundamental thing that helps to keep mothers pain-free during pregnancy, strong and mobile.”
• “Exercise and activity during pregnancy can help women cope better with labor.”
• “Getting back into function is more important than getting back into shape after giving birth.”
• “Exercise and activity are something that you should be able to fit into your life as and when you can.”
• “The act of participating in physical activity improves self-esteem and well-being.”
• “Start thinking about fitness now if you’re thinking about getting pregnant. Be strong and have the stamina to cope with the changes in your body.”
Episode 14: Embracing inclusivity in fitness, empowering people with disabilities
Introduction: In today's society, the importance of inclusivity and equal opportunities is gaining widespread recognition. However, when it comes to the realm of fitness, there is still much progress to be made. Many...
Episode 16: Navigating Chronic Fatigue – finding balance and relief
Introduction: Living with chronic fatigue can be an overwhelming and exhausting experience. The constant battle against fatigue can affect every aspect of your life, from work productivity to personal relationships....
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