Hey birds, it’s been a minute.
My original baby Fitbirds is 10 birds. Reflection is in full force so I thought I'd stop to introduce myself. To share with you a little more on who I am, what I drives me and how I got here.
I'm Shani, a kiwi who grew up on Waiheke Island. A magical hippy, artists escape. An island with endless picturesque beaches, dense New Zealand bush and wineries galore. My childhood was spent running around barefoot, making mud pies in the garden, climbing rocks and trees and swimming in the ocean. I am a beach baby at heart and soul, and part of me feels I won’t be completely at ease until I live back by the ocean again. My mum, was the quintessential 80's aerobics instructor. Creating her own successfulI fitness business, I have memories of being a child being dragged to the local community hall where mum would teach and her 'birds', they would workout fiercely together, all donned with a full face of make-up, in leg-warmers, fluro g-string leotard and perms. Fash-un.
As a child I wanted to become a P.E teacher (or a builder or a wildlife photographer) but the idea of going to uni for 4 years terrified me. At this point I had already travelled to America on my own and had the travel bug. So I completed a personal training and nutrition diploma, becoming qualified at 19 I headed straight into the gyms, teaching in a women's only gym and corporate gym for few years. However I quickly got itchy feet again and began traveling around the world. Some of my happiest memories are those times being wild and free with my backpack on exploring the world. Soaking up new languages, understanding how different cultures live and connect with each other. Some of the poorest countries in the world would always be the most generous of humans. Welcoming me into their homes for a full meal, when clearly putting food on the table (or floor) was a struggle. Travelling is humbling. I have travelled a lot of Asia (several times) Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra, Java, Bali, Hong Kong and of course the motherland India. India I have travelled extensively, overland by sleeper trainer as a young female, solo traveller. Something I've always found empowering and energising. I climbed the Himalayas, lived in an ashram and completed my yoga teacher training. I met my best friend, Lauren in a Lonely Planet recommended guest house in the depths of Mumbai and my yoga wife and now 'best friend who is family' Cami in Goa on our YTTC. Of course, India is not really my motherland but Indian blood does run through my vein, with my great grandma being born in South India. India is my favourite country in the world. I've backpacked Brazil, Peru (climbing Macchu Picchu), Panama, Costa Rica and Mexico. I travelled a few of the States and worked in Whistler, Vancouver. Living in the UK has meant I've been able to travel a lot of Europe too.
At 27 I married my love Josh (a fellow kiwi who I met while living in London in 2007) in Melbourne, Australia. It was a shotgun wedding, where both our mums met. When Josh 'proposed' it was more of a proposition “let's get married for a visa so we can move back to the UK”. I remember crying my eyes out in the park, thinking how un-romantic it was and that I was becoming 'one of the visa-marriage stats'. However 13 years later I can't help but think it might be the most romantic way to cement your love. What else is more romantic than getting married so you can travel to other side of the world together?
We settled back in London together and had the wedding of our dreams in Portugal when I was 29. It was a three day festive event nestled high in the mountains of Serra de Estrella. The best day of our lives. Can we still say this after we've given birth though?
I'd decided if I was going to live in the UK I needed to be connected to the outdoors and move my body. Fitbirds took flight.
Physical achievements, I’ll always remember every hike I’ve done. From fours days on the Singalilia Ridge in the Himalayas, three days wild camping and trekking in the Yosemite to Half Dome. Mountain biking to the sacred Machu Picchu. Climbing volcanoes in Indonesia. Most recently, summiting Mt Toubkal with the birds was an emotional and transformative experience which I can’t wait to do again in 2025.
I’m proud of the slow but consistent dedication which it’s taken to rebuild my body post Minnie and Rocky. My body felt foreign and untrustworthy for years following my back to back pregnancies. But finally I can say my body is starting to come back together. I still mourn the loss of my wash board abs.
Somehow we are now in our 10th year in business and it’s probably this first year I’ve looked at Fitbirds as a business.I guess I'm one of the few in the world who can fully say that my work is my calling and brings me joy every day. Fitbirds found its wings organically, the community established itself very naturally. Without consciously knowing, I’d found an extended family, a sea of sisters had risen up around me. Community was suddenly everything.
I am mother to Rocky (almost 3) and Minnie (4). Motherhood is hands down the greatest privilege, as wise bird once said, “everything else is just background noise”.
March 2020 I gave birth to Minnie - two days before lockdown (lockdown birth story here). Charlie held the nest and I stepped back. 11 months later I was pregnant again with Rocky and Charlie continued to hold the nest like an absolute badass. Four and a half years later I find myself slowly stepping back in, little by little. What a trip it’s been and what an honour to have had four years growing Minnie & Rocky as my main priority.
In 2021 Charlie Hayley (then Summers) and I became official wing birds. Charlie, co-owner & co-director of Fitbirds is not only my partner in business, but we became quick besties as did our families. We love nothing more than moving, tanning, eating, dancing and traveling together. Sharing Fitbirds with Charlie has elevated my life so much. Before Charlie I had been full-time training for six years and the solo gig was starting to wear thin. I was feeling lonely and needed to share the load, I was yearning for inspiration. Charlie came into my life at just the right time.
I created a business, became a wife and a mother with the birds by my side. I know the woman I am today is down to my experiences with you all. The out pouring of wisdom, kindness, vulnerability, generosity, skill swapping and teachings are endless and I love you all for it.
Creating a life where my work and family is seamlessly integrated is everything to me. Hosting retreats is the ultimate part of the gig.
I’m obsessed with training women. Restoring a women’s physical and mental wellbeing through movement quite literally can change a women’s life. There are immediate rewards and changes right from the first PT session. And then of course the long term commitment to fitness and wellness offers a life of exploration, creation and empowerment. I love empowering women to become physically strong and to feel rather than think. I love to share tools to drop women into their parasympathetic nervous system, teaching women to stop, feel and connect.
As women of the modern world we are constantly giving out our energy. It’s my duty to harness women with the tools to implement self care. Tools to re-energize ourselves and to guide us through womanhood with a deeply in tuned physical connection and love to ourselves.
I am beyond grateful be a Fitbird. Our signature classes are the best in the industry, our retreats are transformational, our ethos and our community are everything.
After an incredible four and half years of full-time being present to be with Minnie and Rocky - and what an honour that has been. I will always remember Charlie and the Fitbirds trainers who stepped in which enabled me to step back from training. However I am excited now to return to my love of personal training and teaching.
I cant wait to connect and support you birds. Reach out if you want some PT TLC with me.
Shani x
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