TGt Meets ... Tori Willard

In our latest TGt Meets, we've been speaking to Les Mills' fitness Instructor and presenter Tori Willard about all things fitness and motivation.

How did you turn your passion for fitness turn into a career?

Exercise and movement have always been a major part of my life. I used to go to group exercise classes with my mum in the school holidays and from a very early age I trained to be a dancer - I’d always dreamed of being a dancer for the rest of my life. However when I got to my early twenties I found myself working in an office and doing very little dancing. I was going nowhere and because of this I had zero confidence…if I’m honest I was lost. After a good couple of years I decided something needed to change.

I restarted attending group exercise classes in a bid to reconnect with myself. I very quickly fell in love with exercise all over again. Every time I faced the challenges that each class brought it gave me such strength. Within 6 months I booked myself on all the relevant courses to become qualified to teach group exercise. 4 years later I have built up a successful weekly class timetable teaching in a number of gyms in my home town Swindon.

How do you stay fit and healthy?

My job is very active so the fit bit is easy. When I’m not teaching or presenting I absolutely love to train. I especially enjoy weight training and Yoga. I think being active has to become a way of life. To stay fit and healthy you have to make a commitment and make fitness a part of your weekly routine, especially in this day and age because so much of our work and hobbies are sedentary. There’s a fine art to work/life balance and I’m still learning. Recently I’ve learnt going out for a delicious meal and a glass of wine or going for a cappuccino date with your girlfriends is sometimes far healthier than just doing more exercise.

Do you have a motto or favourite motivational quote?

These are my top three: “Breath it all in, Love it all out”, “A head full of fears has no space for dreams” and “Let it go”

People often struggle with fitness motivation, how do you keep yours?

The best thing my Dad ever taught me was the saying “Baby Steps.” We live in a world where everything is instant. You get ill you go to the doctors and take a pill, you want bigger boobs, you buy them, want to lose weight, you go on a crash diet and pop a few fat burners…I see it a lot. More often than not someone starts a new fitness regime and expects results within the first few sessions or takes a group exercise class for the first time and expects to get the routine and all the techniques instantly. When they don’t, they immediately decide that class isn’t for them. We’re expecting way too much of ourselves and ultimately set ourselves up for failure. Remember it takes 6 months to build a Rolls-Royce and 13 hours to build a Toyota … just a bit of food for thought!

What are your tips for people looking to get into shape?

Make a commitment to a new routine, make it manageable, keep it varied and do the activities you enjoy. Then you’ll stick to it! Most importantly keep positive about what you’re doing. The only bad workout is the one that didn’t happen, and sometimes it’s just a case of going in and getting it done. Not every workout has to be mind blowing.  

What are some mistakes people make when working out?

So many people are setting out to do as much as they can for as long as they can. I see people doing endless spinning sessions, HIIT class after HIIT class and finishing with a long slog on the treadmill. This isn’t clever, this isn’t achieving anything aside from wearing your body out.

Gym goers aren’t being educated on balancing their training regime. The phrase no pain no gain is such a cop out, and if your PT is using it, beasting you every single session, then you need to question their training methods. I’m totally cool with hard work however instead of the phrase ‘Go hard or Go Home’ I prefer to live by ‘Go Hard, Then Go Home.’ I had to learn the hard way that rest is best. I went through 3 months of pure exhaustion which was scary. I was unwell all the time, in a permanent state of lethargy and for a short time I really thought I wasn’t going to be able to continue my career in fitness, which broke my heart. I made some hard decisions and dropped quite a few classes that weren’t essential for me to teach and started resting way more. The results were amazing!

Are there any exercises you advise against?

There isn’t any exercise I’d completely advise against. In fact I think variety is key!

What music do you listen to when you work out?

Spinnin’ Records make the most insane music! Check them out, each song is a pre-workout in itself. If you come to my classes you’ll hear so much of their stuff, I’m obsessed!

What foods are always in your fridge?

Chicken, steak, mince, spinach, broccoli, eggs, avocadoes and, if you look quick enough, straight after the big shop you’ll find dark chocolate too but it doesn’t last long. Eating well doesn’t mean dieting, in my house there’s no restrictions or deprivation, therefore counting calories is banned and there is no low fat anything. Food should be enjoyed. Some of my favourite meals are chillis, casseroles, roast dinners and Fajitas. All home cooked and wholesome.  

 What's been the most rewarding part of your job?

I enjoy delivering classes, presenting to participants, and educating instructors of all ages, from all parts of the world. Each demographic provides different challenges and rewards. The world of group fitness is amazing. It gives people a real community, creates friendships and makes healthier, happier human beings. I don't take for granted what a privilege it is to be able to reach out to so many people on a daily basis, and give them a positive experience. Having the chance to inspire others to become the best version of themselves is such an awesome thing to do and that is why I love it!

Tori is an international fitness presenter for Les Mills, a personal trainer, and fitness educator from the UK. To follow Tori check her out on Instagram @torifaefitness and for fitness, wellness or career advice contact [email protected]