{"id":13702,"date":"2025-10-02T09:08:55","date_gmt":"2025-10-02T09:08:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fitpro.com\/blog\/?p=13702"},"modified":"2025-10-02T09:08:55","modified_gmt":"2025-10-02T09:08:55","slug":"building-community-through-fitness-in-menopause","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fitpro.com\/blog\/building-community-through-fitness-in-menopause\/","title":{"rendered":"Building community through fitness in menopause – Euan Mutch shares his journey as PT"},"content":{"rendered":"

FitPro member Euan Mutch <\/strong>shares his inspiring journey through struggle and recovery to building his own fitness movement, and community through fitness in menopause<\/h2>\n

I grew up in the care system, moving through many schools, never finding stability, never really knowing where I fitted in. From a young age, I felt lost in life. That sense of not belonging followed me into adulthood and it took me down some very dark paths. Addiction, depression, self-doubt \u2013 they became part of my everyday existence.<\/p>\n

I know what it\u2019s like to feel like you\u2019re at rock bottom, to wake up and wonder if life will ever change. For years I lived in that place, drifting, fighting battles that nobody else could see. I thought there was no way out.<\/p>\n

But the truth is, there is always a way out.<\/p>\n

The turning point<\/strong><\/h4>\n

For me, the turning point was fitness. At first it was just a way to cope, to release some of the energy and pain I carried. But slowly, I realised it was much more. Training gave me structure, discipline and something I hadn\u2019t felt in a long time \u2013 hope.<\/p>\n

I decided to take a leap. With the support of my wife, I started with Level 2 Gym Instructor, then progressed to Level 3 Personal Trainer. For the first time in my life, I felt genuine confidence in what I was doing. The courses were brilliant \u2013 tough at times but they gave me knowledge, skills and, most importantly, belief.<\/p>\n

From there, doors started to open. I gained CIMSPA Personal Trainer Practitioner (MCIMSPA) status and became a FitPro Professional Member. These weren\u2019t just pieces of paper \u2013 they were milestones on a road I never thought I\u2019d walk. They showed me that even someone who once felt worthless could become a recognised professional.<\/p>\n

Education changed me<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Once I started learning, I couldn\u2019t stop. Each course gave me another piece of the puzzle, another tool to help not only myself but others too:<\/p>\n