Executive Chef
Steve
“I never thought I’d love the gym — now it’s an amazing constant in my life.”
Steve’s journey with Fitness Lab started with a gift. His CEO wanted the team to start thinking about their long-term health and wellbeing, so Steve was offered a handful of personal training sessions. He hadn’t been to a gym before — and he didn’t think he’d enjoy it. But within weeks, everything changed.
Steve: “I started with Sandra. She’s a beast — in the best possible way. Pushes you when you need it, reins you in when it’s right to do so. I never saw the point of gyms before that, but once I got moving and saw how good it made me feel, I fell in love with it.”
With a long career in hospitality, Steve’s life had followed the familiar ‘work hard, play hard’ rhythm that’s so common in kitchens. But after spending decades on his feet and juggling intense hours, he started to feel the effects.
Steve: “I’m 54 now, and honestly, I feel better than I ever expected to at this age. Mobility was a big one for me — my body had taken a bit of a beating over the years. But the change has been amazing. I didn’t go in thinking I’d lose weight or get a six-pack, but I’ve dropped weight along the way. More importantly, I just feel better in myself.”
Steve’s sessions are always adapted to how he’s feeling on the day — something he values deeply.
Steve: “Training at Fitness Lab is like working with a best mate who knows exactly what you need. If you’re up for a challenge, they’ll push you. If you’re not quite there, they’ll listen. It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. Everything is personal. That’s what I love the most.”
Over the years, Steve has trained with several different coaches — and each transition has felt smooth and seamless.
Steve: “The team all have the same mindset. There’s this consistency in their attitude, their care, their knowledge. I’ve trained with Sandra, Jack, Ash — even others when someone’s been away — and it’s always felt natural. You never feel like you’ve been handed off. You just feel looked after.”
Steve trains at Fitness Lab’s Soho studio twice a week — and he’s been doing so for a decade. For him, it’s not just about health; it’s about community.
Steve: “The Soho studio’s like home for me. Everyone says hello. You see the same faces, hear the same football chat. It’s relaxed. It’s welcoming. They’ve built a space where you want to show up.”
Consistency has been the thread that’s run through Steve’s experience. No gimmicks. No fads. Just high-quality training, tailored support, and a team who genuinely care.
Steve: “There’s no pressure to be a certain way or hit certain goals. But you end up achieving more just by sticking with it. It’s taken time, but now I see the benefits every single day. I can do things I wouldn’t have been able to do if I’d carried on the way I was — and that’s the real win.”
Steve trains twice a week at Fitness Lab — proof that the right support, over time, can turn an unlikely gym-goer into someone who truly loves it.