An Insider’s Guide To The Strength Matters Coaching Program: Saski Ford

Everyday Athlete member Saski Ford was one of the founding members of our Everyday Athlete Coaching Program. We were so inspired by her story that we had to share it with you. World, meet Saski; Saski, meet World.

Can you start by telling us a little bit about yourself?

I’m a personal trainer and sports massage practitioner. I live with my mum and ten-year-old daughter in the Haute Vienne, France. We’ve been here for about three years now and we love it.

I especially love the freedom that Bea my daughter has here in comparison to the U.K. It reminds me of my childhood, which consisted of mostly fields, streams, and sticks, lots of sticks. Our weekends are pretty much spent wild camping down by the Gartemp River.

We are, like so many others out here, renovating our house, but we plan on turning it into a fitness retreat. We have been converting our outbuildings into a gym facility, which is due to open next week. My hopes is that it will help fund the ongoing renovations to the main house for the retreat.

I was not a particularly sporty child, but I did love 100 and 200m sprints. I often wonder if I hadn’t discovered boys and smoking (I quit about 11years ago now) whether I would have taken it any further, but then again, hindsight is a wonderful thing.

I rediscovered my love for training after having my daughter, but not straight away, as I was terrified of getting back into exercise. I was worried what people would think about me, and I realizing how unfit I had become. And then I saw it: Bootcamp. 12 sessions for 12 pounds.

It was a Groupon deal. What did I have to lose? I never looked back. It helped me meet new friends and I got into running, lifting weights, trail running, biking and participated in lots of wolf run-type events. It really changed my view on health and wellbeing, and that’s when I decided to retrain to do what I do now. 

What was your training/fitness routine like before you joined the Everyday Athlete Coaching Program?

I love barbell strength training but was looking for something else to do alongside it. I liked the idea of using kettlebells, so I contacted a guy over near the coast who was an SFG1 instructor to show me how to do the basics and have been practicing using them over the last year or so.

Why did you join the Everyday Athlete Coaching Program?

I’ve just come out of a pretty exhausting relationship. I wanted to do something for me for a change and focus on getting in the best shape of my life without having to think about how I was going to do that. Knowing that I was in the best hands possible was going to help me achieve that. I had a purpose and a goal that I wanted to achieve! 

How did you discover the Everyday Athlete Coaching Program?

After seeing Andy Mackenzie on the cover of the magazine one day, I thought it was worth checking out and ended up joining. Having been a subscriber of Strength Matters magazine for a while, I was lucky enough to be informed via email about this new Everyday Athlete Coaching Program as part of a book launch that you’ve envisioned for 2018. The information that I have learned just from the magazine and podcasts alone have allowed me to cut through a lot of the misinformation and mediocre advice. So when I was presented with an opportunity like this, I knew I’d be mad to let it slide.

What did you learn while researching the Everyday Athlete Coaching Program?

I knew that this was going to be an individualized program created just for me. It is based on the years of principles and methods of training gained by the SM team, but packaged with a fresh approach.

Compared to other fitness programs, what stood out the most to you about our program?

Just the name was appealing to me. Everyday Athlete. It sums up how I feel about my own training nicely. I strive to be better than yesterday and to keep some kind of consistency with it all. Since joining the program, it has been wonderful to see the thought put into the mobility side of things. It is something that I feel is lacking in most other programs as they just give you the workouts, assuming you can already move well. This program gets you moving well first then teaches you how to use the range of motion gained. I’m now a week into my individualized training program, but the two weeks mobility beforehand has helped me to not only get stronger but move much better, too. I feel my posture has changed significantly. I feel taller and tighter. I’m thoroughly impressed so far.

What made you feel at ease about choosing to work with us here at Strength Matters?

A sense of belonging, that may sound cheesy, but I think that’s very important. Being out here in rural France, the whole gym culture really hasn’t set in yet. I find that I’m training on my own a lot and I wanted to be part of something bigger, in a community of like-minded people who get it. Plus, I know that I’m in safe hands with cherry-picked people of the highest quality.

What was the one feature that sold you on joining the Everyday Athlete Coaching Program?

Without wanting to sound cheap, the price was pretty alluring. When do you ever get to work with the best for a price like this? Plus, being able to attend the seminars and certs, as an added extra was a no-brainer for me. Especially when the costs of setting up a new business leave you strapped for cash. It was a wonderful opportunity to grow as a person.

What would you tell someone who is thinking about joining the Everyday Athlete Coaching Program?

The quality thought and attention to detail is second to none. The support and encouragement give you a little skip in your step, and the Nudge Coach app and Fitbot platform that are used make tracking and staying in touch so ridiculously easy it’s fail proof.

Who have you worked with on our team and what has that been like?

I started out working with James, but have been handed over to Phil. It’s been great so far, lots of encouragement, wonderful feedback when needed and even though we aren’t in touch daily, I know that if I have any problems they are never far away.

Describe to people, in your own words, what it’s like to be on the Everyday Athlete Coaching Program?

It feels unique, and I feel incredibly lucky to be a part of it all, it’s like being in the right place at the right time alongside brilliant ninja like people who care deeply and just want the best for you.

What has surprised you or made you the happiest about the Everyday Athlete program?

I’m surprised most by the changes to my strength and mobility in such a short period of time. I can already see the physical changes in my body and we haven’t really started yet!

What has exceeded your expectations about the Everyday Athlete Coaching Program?

The level of care and individuality and the feeling of being in safe hands has exceeded my expectations.

What have you learned about your own fitness since joining the Everyday Athlete Coaching Program?

I have definitely realized that I’m not as mobile as I thought I was. But now I have the tools to continue that journey.

What surprised you the most about the Everyday Athlete Coaching Program?

I liked doing the assessments because it was varied and interesting. I look forward to reassessing seeing what improvements have been made.

What would you recommend about the Everyday Athlete Coaching Program?

I’m only into the second week of my personalized training plan, after a challenge and two weeks of assessments. However, I believe I’m going to see some huge changes to my all-round fitness and physique. I‘m looking forward to being in the best shape of my life.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Just a shout out and thank you to James Breese, Phil McDougall, and the crew behind the scenes for your time, energy and ninja skills. Big love X