I've just had the most amazing 12 weeks - Laura Francis

Although always active I've never really been involved in fitness or consciously followed a healthy lifestyle. When I was in school I loved PE and sports days, and after school I swapped painting my nails for playing random games like 'It', 'Bulldog', 'Manhunt', and 'Kirby' etc!

However, when it came to deciding what to do after my GCSE's, I was lost. The careers advice at school was far from helpful and I ended up walking down the high street and applying for jobs in the local shops. Debenhams took me on as a Sunday girl at 17 and I proceeded to work my way up to a management position. However, I knew I didn't want a career in retail and a couple of times I left to work abroad but always returned because retail was now my comfort zone.

When I was about 19 I joined a gym and I knew instantly that if I ever had the courage to change my career path, this would be the direction I would take. I wasn't aware of my options or if my skill-set was suitable for this type of work, until I got a personal trainer. He was amazing, so focused and motivating. The more I spoke to him and saw the effects his training techniques had on me, the more I dreamt of getting into personal training.

I started saving money and searched the internet for ideas and courses, but for years I never took it further, because I was nervous and lacking confidence. Retail was all I'd ever done. But it was only when I was promoted to a managerial position that I finally realised that regardless of how far up the company ladder I climbed retail just wasn't for me. I decided I would rather be an amateur in the health and fitness industry than a professional in retail. I approached local gyms for advice on how to get into the fitness industry and Premier Training's name kept being mentioned, so I gave them a call and they sent me a prospectus. I was soon contacted by Cath, Premier's careers advisor at their Dartford venue. She discussed the wide range of courses on offer and invited me to see the class in action. I was nervous, yet excited. Working in retail had taught me a lot, but this really made me see that I could apply my skills to something that I could get so much more out of.

First of all, I had to finish my year's contract as a manager, and a few times I thought about staying where I was. I liked being good and confident at what I did. I was still in that comfort zone! But Cath, who kept in contact with me over the months, was a constant source of reassurance. She is so lovely, and without her this would still be just a dream.

Mid-March finally arrived; I left my job on the Saturday and began the course on the Monday. I was really anxious but Premier had prepared me for everything so I had nothing to worry about.

From day one, both practically and theoretically, the course was intense and not coming from a fitness background meant every last detail was new information to me. But I loved it. I never thought I'd look forward to waking up at 6am on a Monday morning to start a new week, but I did. I loved every second of it. I really had to learn to stay determined and concentrate on what I was aiming for, because it tired me physically and mentally, but the more challenging it became the bigger the sense of achievement I felt. Ian and Yusuf were fantastic teachers, so inspiring and knowledgeable, but even more important to me, they were lovely and supportive. They gave me constant feedback and encouraged me all the way.

I couldn't have asked for a better class. It was so refreshing to be around people that shared my passion for fitness. Yet, at the same time, everyone was so different. I got to know them all personally and they taught me so much about health and fitness. I would class them all as friends and wish them all the best in their futures. I want to thank them for helping me while on the course and for ensuring I had the most wonderful experience.

I am extremely ambitious. I have so many ideas for future projects, but for now I want to gain experience in the fitness field in general and build up confidence in my new career choice! All thanks to Cath, Ian, Yusuf, the staff at Acacia gym, and my beautiful class mates at Premier Training.