Professional
"I found Jan to be an excellent coach, professional, warm and genuinely interested, with whom I was able to discuss some very challenging managerial, leadership and inter-personal issues. Jan was highly skilled in assisting me to clarify my thoughts explore options and make successful decisions.”
Deputy Director & Head of Professional Development, Independent Theatre Council, ITC
"Faced with a decision regarding whether to take on a more challenging role, Jan’s coaching enabled me to understand and answer the important questions and make my decision with confidence.”
Senior Consultant ADAS
Personal
"At all times Jan created an atmosphere of trust and safety. Jan distinguished herself as a very skilled and empathetic coach, with the ability to allow the issues I wanted to tackle to develop at my own pace. This allowed me to address a number of long term and profound lifestyle and life challenges that I had hitherto ‘skirted’ around.”
Andy Gannon
“I have been greatly helped through the coaching I received from Jan. I felt completely listened to as I talked through the actions I needed to take. Talking with her made the issues clearer. I never felt rushed and yet I made remarkable progress. Through Jan’s coaching I gained clarity and conviction about the things I wanted to do and how best to do them.”
Jeremy Carruthers
“Coaching from Jan has been very effective in giving me a framework to examine and start to understand some of the factors which influence the way I behave. It has also enabled me to look objectively at some issues and take control of them rather than being dragged along by the tide.”
Louise Bell
Health and Fitness
"Last summer I took part in a Cancer Research Race For Life in memory of my mum, as it was the 20th anniversary of her death from cancer. As I hadn't done any running for several years, and as a result was very much out of shape, I needed to do some serious training to be ready for the race!
Jan provided me with a personalised training schedule based on my fitness level and the amount of time I had to train before the big race, as well as a lot of advice and support. As the training started off quite easy and gradually built up, although it was hard work, I never felt out of my depth, and could see a real improvement in my running each time I went out.
Even the dog walkers who I used to see on a regular basis commented on how quickly I was improving! When I signed up to do the race, I never dreamed I would be able to run that much! I am extremely grateful to Jan for all her help and support - I wouldn't have been able to do it without her!!"
Camille
“I find it hard to believe that twelve months ago I thought I couldn’t run, and now I’ve proved I can by running 13.1 miles last week in my first half marathon. This has only been possible by the invaluable support, guidance and structure Jan provided for me during the early days”.
Helen
“Having reached the age of 60 I wanted a form of outdoor, weight-bearing exercise which was more energetic than walking but did not require other skills. Although I was a complete beginner and very slow, the support and guidance I received from Jan encouraged me to persevere. I am now much fitter and healthier and have realised that running is something anyone of any age and ability can try."
Carol
"I never thought of myself as a 'runner' - but then I thought that runners were super fit athletes who spend all their free time training, and running clubs are for the elite. How wrong you can be! It was through conversations with you that I came to Rhayader running club for the first time three years ago. I've never regretted it and never looked back.
I have met a great group of people, got fit, lost some weight (or at least not put any on despite eating mountains!), I've seen some fantastic views, got muddy and wet and even completed races.
Now I run for the ME time, sometimes I just run for the sake of it, the freedom, chance to clear your head, for an hours peace, sometimes I run with friends for the gossip and companionship, but sometimes I am in training with a specific goal and following a programme, that's one of the great things about running it fits in around my life as and when I want it.
I wouldn't have discovered the pure enjoyment of it with out your guidance, I'd never have entered a race without your encouragement and I'd certainly never have completed one without the race training programmes you developed for me to work to.
I now know that anyone can run but with Jan's encouragement, guidance and excellent training programmes you can be a runner.
Many thanks Jan through you I've discovered a fantastic sport".
Angela.
"After a nasty tropical virus I suffered from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Not only was I physically affected, with constant exhaustion, but mentally I became in my head an 'ill person'. Every day I would wake up and my first thought would be how I felt that day. I had lost all confidence in my physical ability and stamina to do things, such as drive for a few hours to business meetings, enjoy a long evening out with friends, go away for the weekend.
I met Jan after about two years of this, when I was just beginning to physically be on the mend, and had started a bit of walking again. I'm still not quite sure how I ended up on two mile walk/run with Jan. perhaps her calm encouragement and the feeling that I was in safe hands with no pressure on me. I can still feel the exhilaration of running/walking that 2 miles. A few weeks later, with Jan's encouragement I managed to run 3 miles. Then 5 miles. and finally just 7 months after starting I managed to run Lake Vyrnwy half marathon.
Jan ran with me all the way, pacing me, and the exhilaration of finishing stayed with me for days. More importantly it changed my whole mental outlook: firstly I forgot to be an ill person. how could I be ill if I ran half marathons? And secondly I felt like a proper runner. a real achievement for the girl who was always last to be picked for teams in school sports. That was a few years ago, and I've run a few more half marathons, but also realised my long held dream of running up hills.and ran a mountain marathon in the Lake District last summer.
Running is now very much part of my life: I don't always manage it on a weekly basis, and sometimes even end up having a few months off. But I always come back to it with the confidence of knowing that I can do it if I want to. it might be hard work at first but in a few weeks I can be back up to running 8 miles".
Becky
"I've always been active throughout my adult life mainly due to keeping my weight down and running was one of those sports which I never really thought about until I decided to run in the 'Race for Life' in memory of my dad.
After the run, I tried to carry on my enthusiasm of running by training on my own a couple of days a week but after a couple of months, I gave up.
However, a few months later, a colleague of mine at work suggested that I should come along to Rhayader Running Club. I met Jan, who asked me a few questions about my fitness and what I hoped to achieve.
After our initial talk, I went with the beginners. We ran for a few minutes and then walked for a few minutes along the Elan Valley cycle path - it was so picturesque alongside the dams - something I would never have done in the coldness of the night on my own. The moon shone onto the water - it was stunning! I was really pleased with myself by the time I got back to the Centre.
Over a hot chocolate, Jan and I discussed how I felt and a plan for the future - if I were to carry on. Needless to say, I have continued, and after 2 years, I am still with the running club. I have completed quite a few races including a few half marathons. My next aim is to achieve a 30K run. I thoroughly enjoy my running. It's the best thing I have ever done!!! "
Dee
"I was not sure I would be able to run as my body shape is like a 'weeble'. However, I can now run 3 miles without stopping. Sometimes I was tempted to give up but my trust in and support from Jan gave me the motivation to keep on, which paid off in the end. I am now a runner! Thank you Jan"
Mel