2025: The year of resilience

There wasn’t a blog post last week.

I try and write my blogs mid-week and it got to Wednesday last week and I felt myself falling into the trap I used to fall into when I was posting on social media.

There was almost a feeling of, “Right, I have to post something, so think of something.”

I made myself a promise when I started writing the blog that I wouldn’t do that. It had to be honest, it had to be authentic, it had to be organic and I would never post anything just to tick the box and say that I posted.

I actually felt really good not falling into that trap again and stepping away from the mentality I had when I was posting on socials.

This week is the final blog post of 2025.

We do Christmas slightly differently in our house. We have Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve to save ourselves from spending all morning on Christmas Day in the kitchen. So I’m hoping around about this time next week I’ll be knee-deep in roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings and pigs in blankets!

This week I’m having our end-of-year calls with all our clients. It’s been brilliant to write up my notes and reflect on clients’ progress and their journeys throughout 2025. I think, probably as a result of doing the counselling course, I’ve looked at the broader picture when it comes to client journeys, rather than just focusing on physical health and fitness.

I think 2025, out of the five years that I’ve been coaching, has been the most challenging year for clients. And if there was one word to take from  this year, it would be resilience.

A lot of clients have gone through some really heavy stuff in the last 12 months. The kind of once-in-a-lifetime, life-changing events. I feel fortunate that, because of my learning through my counselling course, I’ve been able to offer some support and help my clients deal with those struggles.

It’s been incredible to witness the strength my clients have shown and how they’ve continued with their day-to-day lives while juggling so much in the background.

As part of our calls this week, I’ve asked clients to fill in a short questionnaire consisting of four or five questions. I’ll share them at the bottom of this post because they might help you reflect on 2025 as well.

I think a lot of the time we are our harshest critics. We set unrealistic expectations for ourselves and try to seek perfection. I think it’s important to reflect on the year. To take stock of what’s happened, what you’ve achieved, what you want to leave behind and whether there are any learnings you can take into the New Year.

We live such fast-paced lives that we don’t often give ourselves the chance to slow down, reflect and appreciate the time that’s passed. I’d encourage you to use some of the questions below to help you reflect on 2025.

Last weekend was my final weekend at college for the year, and at the end of the day our tutor shared a poem, which I’m going to share with you here.

Before I do, I want to wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas. Please take time to be present over the next few weeks, slow down, enjoy the moment and make some bloody good memories.

You’ll next hear from me again in 2026.

Until then, stay safe, have fun and look after each other.

Reflection questions:
1. Health and fitness wise, what have you achieved this year?

2. Outside of your health and fitness, what other achievements/wins have been made this year?

3.What learnings will you be taking into next year?

4.What health and fitness ambitions do you have for next year?

5.Outside of your health and fitness, do you have anything else you would like to do/achieve next year?