Member Spotlight: A Chat With Mo

Meet Mo! Mo has been a member of Pose Fitness for three years and is a massive inspiration to many others who join our classes, including the instructors!

We had the pleasure of sitting down with Mo earlier this month for a member spotlight to talk all things fitness, Pilates, and being part of a supportive community. If you've ever had the chance to meet Mo, you'll know how fascinating she is! If you haven't met her yet, this interview transcript offers a glimpse into her character.

So, grab a coffee and pull up a chair!

Mo's member spotlight interview

Abi: So let's start. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? 

Mo: Yes, certainly. I've been retired for three years. I retired very, very belatedly. I worked until I was 75 in London, and that was my cue to get back into fitness. I worked in London, but previously I've worked abroad and I've traveled abroad.

So I've done some exciting things in my career. But I've always done fitness from a very young age. In my 20s, I remember finding a Pilates class, and I loved it. 

Abi: Has it always been Pilates? 

Mo: Pilates mainly. I have belonged to several gyms. I've always done some weights. And I did spinning and all the usual classes. One I really enjoyed was called Fit Ball, working on the huge balls. 

Abi: Oh, wow. 

Mo: And I loved it. It was sort of like Pilates, but sitting on a ball. It was difficult. But I loved it. I've done fitness all my life. I played netball, I wasn't sporty, but I was fit.

I lived in the Peak District for 17 years, so walking and climbing. I'm not a climber, but living in the Peak District, obviously, it was very hilly. So when I lived there, I was very fit, as well as going to a regular gym. Yeah, so always having that sort of fit life.

In fact, I found one of my daughter's school books, and when she was about four or five, she said,

“Mummy goes out lots of nights and she goes to Keep Fit.”

At my last gym, I found I couldn't get into the classes, so that's when I decided to look elsewhere. 

Abi: So, how did you find Pose? 

Mo: A leaflet in my letterbox. A really nice leaflet. And it dropped at the right time. And I thought, do you know what? I'm going to give this a try. I drove over one day, and you were closed. 

Abi: Haha, yes, that's the problem with small independent studios.

Mo: So then I sent an email, and that's how I found you!

Abi: What is your favourite class to come to?

Mo: I love Pilates. I really love Pilates. I mean, I love all the classes, and I never thought I'd be where I am now, but I just love Pilates. I feel it's a total workout. And it's different every week. Your instructors are all different. I just feel so invigorated. When I go home, I feel stretched. I just love it. 

Abi: And is this Mat Pilates?

Mo: Mat Pilates is the main one. I do come to your Reformer. Even though I'm a member, which I think is fantastic value, I do buy a Reformer Pilates package every now and again. I think it's fantastic. But I think I'm still an old-fashioned Pilates girl.

I really do. And I love it. I mean, I really, really enjoy it. 

Abi: So you've mentioned that you’re not a dancer, but you've ventured into Pose Barre. Can you tell us more about this?

Mo: Certainly. I was nervous about joining the Pose Barre classes at the beginning. I used to stand right at the back, the furthest point away from the instructor because I was nervous. And do you know what, my coordination was absolutely dreadful. Absolutely dreadful. And I used to think, I can't possibly do this. 

And do you know what? I don't remember when. Just one week I remember Ali saying to me,  

“Mo, you've got it!”  

And so coordination and my balance,  I think that it’s just helped me tremendously.

Abi: That's lovely. So good to hear. So let's cast our minds back to Mo before you came to Pose. If you could give yourself advice, before you came and took the plunge to come to something that was different, what advice would you give your former self?

Mo: I would tell myself not to be apprehensive and not to worry. Because my biggest worry was, reading the leaflet, I saw it was sort of dance-based. And when I looked online, I read about the instructors, and I was worried. I thought this was possibly not going to be for me because I'm not a dancer.

And although I knew Pilates was on the menu, I thought I wanted to do more than that. So don't worry. It was not intimidating in any way at all. Just tell myself not to worry. 

Mat Pilates

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Abi: How would you compare yourself to Mo three years ago?

Mo: That's a good question. Can you believe I've lost two and a half stone in weight? I didn't come here to lose weight, but having worked in London in a very entertaining environment, can you imagine living and working full-time in London, eating out, and receiving gifts from clients? The company I was with even built a Gail’s Bakery, so they used to bring us boxes of cakes. I mean, you could say, well, you don't have to eat it. But it's like a rollercoaster. And I did put on weight, and I lost my fitness. 

The other thing is not only have I lost weight, but can you believe I've lost five inches from my middle? Honestly,, I can't wear any of the clothes. I'm serious. I haven't got rid of them just in case. But honestly, it's the weight loss, the fitness. I feel my fitness is really good now. And I suppose if I'm really honest, but that's one of the reasons I came as well.

I wanted to retain my fitness because I had a hip replacement, and for me, it was important to continue to be fit and strong. I think possibly strength was the other thing. So that's the biggest change I've noticed. Strength, weight, and girth, if you like! But it didn't come for those reasons.

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Abi: If you could give advice to anyone who's considering coming to Pose, but may be a little bit scared, what would you say to them? 

Mo: Just do it. Just go for it. Everyone is so welcoming. I think, particularly as you get older – and you know, I'm 78, so believe me, I can tell you – you get to a point you think, I'd like to be served? I'd like someone to pay me a bit of attention. And things do change.

And when I came here, everyone is treated the same. There are young girls here of 18, 20… I don’t know whether I'm your oldest member, perhaps I am...

And you know what? Everybody's the same, and I have never felt invisible. I've always felt welcome. Everybody's friendly. And sometimes, I feel as if I'm your ambassador because I love to tell everybody how brilliant it is! I really love coming here. All the instructors, everybody's so lovely. Thank you so much.

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Interested in Pose Membership? We offer monthly subscription and yearly subscription to give you unlimited access to our Pose Barre, Mat Pilates, Yoga classes, and Adult Ballet Classes. You also get regular discounts on Reformer Pilates class pass bundles, workshops, and retail.