I swapped income for quality of life and job satisfaction - Robin Harris

"I swapped income for quality of life and job satisfaction," says Robin Harris, who chose redundancy from his job as an IT Director to work in a field that he enjoyed and felt passionate about.

"I chose Premier as I had spoken to several Premier graduates and all were very positive. Premier’s reputation is excellent but also, the specific recommendations and comments about Alan Smith at Leeds encouraged me to choose Premier."

"The course covered all the areas that interested me – in particular, Sports Massage Therapy. The Premier information e.g. web and manuals appeared professional and well thought through with a progressive syllabus."

"The course was excellent in pretty well all respects. Both Alan Smith and Mick Bunting were fantastic tutors and mentors and provided much more than the basic course material. They were great role models and were always encouraging and supportive. The course content was good but more importantly, since qualifying and using the material, I have not been caught out, so the scope must be about right! The pace of delivery and blend of theory and practical sessions made for interesting days and a tolerable workload."

"After completing the course, I started to build my own Sports Injury business operating from a spare room in my house. I have a wide circle of contacts in the Hull area through my long involvement with the triathlon club – hence there was a steady stream of customers prepared to give me a chance! My wife was also very helpful in persuading friends and contacts of hers at the gym to see me with a variety of injuries and soft tissue problems."

"I also offered a service to the triathlon club members to prepare personal long term training plans together with detailed monthly schedules. This generated a few clients and gave me useful experience in another area."

"However, my personal fitness training skills learnt on the course were fading and I was still only working about 20 hours a week, so I applied for a job at a local gym as an instructor. This turned out to be a great move! Not only did it fill the other 22 hours a week but it gave me fantastic experience very rapidly. I was very fortunate indeed to work for another Premier graduate (Natalie Belt) and alongside a very experienced personal trainer and another Premier graduate, Tony Oades. These two people helped me put the training into good practical use."

"Then in the spring of 2007 (about 8 months after qualifying) an enquiry I had made in Gozo the previous year finally came to fruition! I had been diving in Gozo a number of times and really like the island and its lifestyle. The only 5 star hotel on the island was looking for a gym instructor for its gym, although after a few discussions it was agreed that I would provide a variety of services including, gym instructor, massage and injury therapist, activities leader and coordinator."

"It was with some sadness that I left the gym in Hull (and my Premier friends!) to start a new phase of my life in Gozo. My wife and I have now relocated and I have been working at the hotel for almost three months. So in a little under 18 months I have gone from being an office based manager to running outdoor activities in Gozo. What a life! On my days off I go diving! This complete change of lifestyle was only possible because of the new skills and qualifications that I gained with Premier (there are not too many jobs for IT Directors on an island of 26, 000 people!).

I have strong ambitions to attract more people to Gozo to enjoy active holidays – there is so much to offer athletes and anyone interested in outdoor activities and so much scope to help increase the hotel’s business and to leave the visitors with stunning memories – and a fitter, healthier lifestyle! And, I want to complete my PADI Dive Instructor qualification.

I enjoy every single day!!!