BBR Trainer Profile: Emma Lyons
Bodies by Ryan has a new pocket rocket in town, in the form of dynamic new trainer Emma Lyons who started in November with a buzz. Emma is like a bottle of pre-workout at 5am with her infectious happy vibes and on point coaching. Keep your eyes peeled for her in your classes and make sure to introduce yourself. Be warned, you’ll be immediate friends because it’s hard not to love Emma! Here’s a little more detail on who Em is and where she came from…
BBR: How did you end up at Bodies by Ryan? Take us through your fitness career, any education and connection to BBR or Ryan…
EL: My career in the fitness industry started three years ago after finishing my pilates training, which I did on a complete whim in the hope of falling into a purposeful career. I quickly realised helping people get their bodies moving and have a more loving relationship with their bodies was the field I wanted to be in long term.
I dabbled with pilates for about 18 months, teaching at different gyms and private classes, before creating an online pilates platform which tailored workouts to the female menstrual cycle. But then I wanted to develop my skills further, so I completed my cert 3 & 4 in fitness over the past 12 months. While completing my training I worked in group fitness at a gym down in Mandurah to get a more hands on approach to learning.
As I moved to Perth from Mandurah recently, I’ve been on the hunt for a gym to be a part of that has a strong sense of community and purpose… which is when I found BBR.
BBR came to my attention like all modern day things… Instagram. I loved the look of the community, classes and attitude that was shown, so I reached out! Ryan got me in for one of the classes and I absolutely loved it! I am so excited to be apart of the BBR team and learn from the best in the biz!
BBR: What’s your earliest memory of fitness, take us back to the ultimate starting point…
EL: I was actually the least sport kid ever… ironic! My brother taught me to throw and catch in the hope of someone bowling a cricket ball for him to hit a backyard six. Much to his disappointment, I didn’t fall in love with cricket like he did.
After many miserable seasons of soccer, basketball and tennis, my parents realised ball sports weren’t my thing and enrolled me into dancing. I danced for 10 years, then joined a gym when I was 18 and have been going ever since, although I have progressed a lot since then, I no longer spend the whole session on the treadmill!
BBR: Where was your first job and what was the biggest lesson you learnt from it?
EL: When I was 13, I got a job at the local tuck shop. I had to wake my parents up at 4.30am on a Saturday to drop me to my 5am shift… Poor them!
I got paid cash, served the truck drivers their Chicko Rolls, Masters Iced Coffees and packs of Winnie Blues… A lot of things that were probably meant to be reserved for the seniors but I loved it. It was my first introduction to the workforce, and set a pretty good precedent for being disciplined and also taught me the art of conversation… truckies love a yarn!
BBR: What do you love about working in the fitness industry?
EL: The people! I don’t think you can work in the fitness industry and not care about making positive change – so, it means you’re surrounded by some epic people. That includes your work colleagues, the community of people whether they’re 5.15am or 5.15pm crew - these people want to put their health and wellbeing as a priority in their life… and that’s so cool to be around!
BBR: What has been your biggest challenge and how have you overcome it?
EL: Overcoming (still working on it) imposter syndrome, because there are so many epic people in the fitness industry who set a high bar on the level of service they provide to clients. I think it means I won’t ever be complacent with my self development, but it also means there is a level of comparison that can be hard to navigate at times.
BBR: When you’re not at BBR, how do you spend your time?
EL: Swims at the beach, walking my dog (Oakie, puppy Border Collie… IYKYK), and I love cooking and baking.
BBR: What health/wellness services do you invest in regularly to keep your body in fine tune?
EL: I do my best to invest in good quality produce and vitamins, and try to get to a yoga or pilates session at least once a week. I also try to get to the beach for a swim as often as possible.
BBR: What goals are you currently working on?
EL: As I have just relocated from Perth, I want to build my personal training client base. I also am trying to read a book a month … harder than I thought!
BBR: If you could give BBR members one piece of advice to improve their health… what would it be?!
EL: Find movement that you love and do more of it! If you are going to dedicate a portion of your day most days of the week to something, make sure you enjoy it (even if it is a love to hate it… like you hate Ryan for pushing you on hack squats, but after, you’re loving life)!
Fast five favourites
1. Favourite BBR exercise? Single Leg Hip Thrusts… weird I know!
2. Least fave BBR exercise? Chin ups
3. Fave café and your order there? Still finding a fave, but an Almond Cap with extra choccy sprinkles
4. Favourite meal to prep? Burrito bowls… but with slow cooked chicken – it is a game changer!
5. Fave Holiday destination? I went to Sardinia last year and that was pretty epic! But if I want a quick get away… Dunsborough (Peko Peko perched at Eagle Bay can solve nearly all problems I am sure).
Thanks for sharing your zest for life Em and BBR members - fair warning - book in quick for personal training with Em, as she will book out quickly! To contact Em for PT (and see more pics of Oaky… so cute), check her out at @emlyons.fitness on Insta where all the good fitness journeys start!
