MAY SH1FT STAR: IRENE SURRIDGE

Meet this month's SH1FT STAR, Irene Surridge, a SH1FT Fitness Instructor, mother, and owner of her own fitness business. Irene has overcome many struggles, including an injury that almost led her to paralysis. Keep reading to her more of her story, what diversity in fitness means to her, and more.

WHY WE LOVE Irene:

Irene has inspired her classes, as well as the SH1FT community with her story of recovery from injury and her passion for the industry. Her perseverance is an inspiration!

Without further ado, meet Irene:

1. Tell us about yourself: 

I’ve been teaching fitness for over 25 years and was told when I qualified I would probably only get 10 years out of teaching due to high intensity exercise taking it’s time toll. Here I am still going at 47!

I got into teaching after going through obesity and then bulimia following a very difficult and abusive childhood (that’s a whole other story).

My first class experience was not a good one and I hated every element of it! I wasn’t made to feel welcome and the instructor intimidated the life out of me. Somehow I went back, as I knew I had to lose the weight, and eventually I moved to the front of the class and that’s where I started the love of my fitness journey. I knew then I wanted to get people just like me in a class, loving fitness, and growing in confidence.

I taught as a hobby from the age of 21 until 6 years ago when I left my managerial job and went into running my own fitness business. It gave me the freedom to be a better Mom to my son (now 10) and also manage my time better as my husband, who is a police officer, is always on changing shifts.

2. Where/how do you teach?

Prior to lockdown I taught in several different gyms as well as running some of my own independent community classes. I’d been teaching Les Mills for years, as well as Beachbody Programs, and various others, but had to drop many due to lockdown.

During lockdown, I shifted all of my classes online and I’m now looking forward to the Phygital age (although a little nervous too)!

3. What’s your favourite SH1FT workout?

Now this is a really tough one, because I absolutely love them all, but if I was forced to choose one it would probably be L1FT. Weight training changed my life and I competed in the Worlds Pure Elite and won a first in my category in 2018. I didn’t start competing until I was 43.

However, in March of 2020, I was given the devastating news I was 1mm away from paralysis from the neck down. I was rushed to the hospital where I was told I might also die, as the condition was so serious. The one thing that saved me was my back strength, so staying strong, for me, is super important! Here I am, just over one year later, with titanium implants), teaching all of the SH1FT programs alongside PT and a few other classes.

4. What's your favourite thing about SH1FT?

The absolute freedom to teach anywhere without constraints of licensing, music, and endless hours of learning choreography. I taught for Les Mills for 20 years and feel that SH1FT has given me the breath of fresh air and freedom I needed.

5. What does 'fitness for life' mean to you?

To me, it means exactly what it says on the tin, ‘be fit for life’. It’s about doing things independently, without pain, in a strong manner for as long as possible! It’s about being able to climb the stairs and ignore the lift, run around with your children and grandchildren in years to come, being able to walk instead of driving and looking for ways to stay mobile for as long as humanly possible. I cannot advocate for fitness enough! It has literally saved my life in more ways than one.

6. How has SH1FT improved your life and teaching?

SH1FT has given me time. Time to spend with my family rather than trying to perfect hours of choreography. Time is very precious to me. The SH1FT programs continue to give myself and my clients fresh new workouts whilst keeping us all on our toes, happy, and motivated to keep coming back to class.

7. What does diversity mean to you, and why is it important in fitness?

Diversity, to me, means complete inclusion. Inclusion of everyone regardless of background, shape, size, confidence level, and fitness experience. It’s about making everyone feel welcome and helping them focus on the things they can do rather than the things they can’t. I came from a very deprived and abusive background and never thought that for one moment I could stand in front of a class and lead people to a better state of mind and improved health. It’s about making everyone feel welcome and ensure they want to keep coming back for more.