When you meet Sarah Martin, you can instantly feel her energy — she’s warm, real, and absolutely passionate about helping women feel strong and confident. But just a year ago, Sarah was juggling a demanding corporate career, two young kids, and a life that felt completely unsustainable.

Today, she’s a qualified personal trainer, teaching group fitness and PT sessions at her local women’s gym, Cruz Fitness — and loving every second of it. Here’s how she made the leap from corporate burnout to a fulfilling fitness career.

🌟 Finding Her “Why”

Fitness wasn’t always the plan.

Sarah had worked hard to build a career in merchandising and promotions, but the long hours, commute, and constant juggling between work, gym, and motherhood left her exhausted.

“I was missing out on time with my three- and six-year-old,” Sarah shared. “It just didn’t feel sustainable.”

Then, after a difficult year and a personal loss, Sarah found herself drawn back to the one place that brought her comfort — her local gym.

“Cruz Fitness was the place I felt most like myself — my silly socks, unicorn shoes, everyone just accepted me. It felt like home.”

When the gym owner mentioned she was looking for another trainer, a lightbulb moment hit. A few months later, Sarah decided to get qualified — and never looked back.

💕 Why She Chose Women’s Fitness Education

Before enrolling, Sarah spoke to a few different training providers. But it was the personal connection and women-focused approach that made Women’s Fitness Education (WFE) stand out.

“I’m a ‘three quotes’ kind of girl — I like to compare my options,” she laughed. “But with WFE, it just felt different. I was texting Dani directly with my silly questions and felt supported from the start.”

It wasn’t just the connection that won her over — it was also the bonus women’s health courses.

“The women’s health content really gave me a head start for working with female clients. I knew it would help me support the women at Cruz from day one.”

🕒 Studying Around Kids, Work, and Life

Like many of our students, Sarah had to squeeze study into a busy schedule.

“At first, it was chaos with a capital C,” she admitted. “I was studying on my phone while my daughter fell asleep, listening to lectures on my commute, and doing assessments at soccer training. Anywhere I had five minutes and Wi-Fi — that’s where I studied!”

Once she left her job to focus fully on the course, things started to flow. In just seven months, she completed both her Cert III and IV in Fitness.

Her secret? Three golden “10-minute rules” for time management:

1. Spend 10 minutes each morning setting expectations for your day.

2. If something takes 10 minutes or less — do it now.

3. If a task feels overwhelming — just commit to 10 minutes.
   

“Sometimes I’d end up working for an hour, sometimes just 10 minutes, but at least I’d started,” she said.

🎥 Facing Her Biggest Challenge

Like many students, Sarah found the practical assessments the most challenging part — not because of the content, but because of being on camera.

“I have ADHD, and as soon as a camera is on me, my brain forgets everything,” she laughed. “At one point I forgot the word ‘forearm’ and called it ‘arm calves!’”

After procrastinating for weeks, she decided to rip the bandaid off and filmed in her brother’s garage at 6am on a Saturday.

“He was honest — brutally honest — but it was exactly what I needed.”

Looking back, she says she wishes she had attended a WFE Practical Intensive Weekend — where students can complete their practicals in a fun, supportive, camera-free environment.

“If I could go back, I’d do it that way. Just get them done early!”

💬 Support and Community Make the Difference

Sarah says the WFE student Facebook group was her lifeline.

“It was so helpful seeing other students go through the same challenges. When I realised everyone was finding the APD assessment hard, I thought, ‘Okay, it’s not just me!’”

Through the group, she connected with another student, Kayla, and they completed assessments together via Zoom.

“We were in different states — but we kept each other accountable. It made such a difference.”

🩷 Life After Graduation

Now fully qualified, Sarah is working at Cruz Fitness — the same gym that inspired her to study in the first place.

“It’s a women’s-only space that’s become like the ‘mum gym’ of our area,” she said. “There are babies and kids around, it’s chaotic but so special. I get to coach women, cuddle babies, and help mums feel strong again.”

The classes are designed around school drop-offs and family life, and the focus is on confidence, strength, and community.

“Our mission is simple — helping women feel strong and supported, both inside and outside the gym.”

💪 Words of Advice for Future Students

Sarah’s advice for anyone thinking about studying fitness?

“Just do it. The course layout makes sense, you can go at your own pace, and the team at WFE brings so much knowledge — and just the right amount of sass!”

And for anyone doubting themselves?

“I’m a 35-year-old, overstimulated, overcommitted mum with wobbly bits and stretch marks — and I did it. So you can too.”

Her biggest takeaway:

“Women supporting women to support women.” 💕

✨ Key Takeaways

• You don’t need a perfect moment to start — just start.

• Ten minutes of effort can make all the difference.

• Find your community — support makes study so much easier.

• Progress over perfection — rip the bandaid off and get it done!

• Your passion can become your career, no matter where you start.
  

🎧 Listen to the Full Episode

Tune in to Sarah’s full story on the Women’s Fitness Education Podcast — available now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

If helping women move, grow, and thrive is your passion, become a qualified personal trainer or group fitness instructor — check out our Certificate III and IV in Fitness - complete with four bonus women’s health courses.