A FORMER Worcester News reporter has been named amongst the best fitness instructors in the UK, less than a year after leaving the industry.
Grace Walton, who swapped deadlines for deadlifts, has been crowned the best fitness instructor in Worcestershire and Gloucestershire in the Muddy Stilettos award.
The fitness guru, who runs Grace Walton Fitness, left the Worcester News last July after more than two years to follow ‘her passion’, and said it felt amazing to be nominated, let alone win.
Ms Walton said: “I feel amazing.
“I’m quite surprised. I’m not sure who nominated me.
“I only started in July. To be nominated, let alone win, I’m so happy.
“I’m assuming this is going to be good for marketing and promotion. It just gives businesses exposure.
“I’m trying to reach a wider audience and get more children into fitness with their parents.
“A lot of parents take their kids to clubs and sort of sit on the sidelines. I’m trying to get them involved together. It’s what I aim for, it’s my passion, to help people.
“Currently, I’m a personal trainer. I work with children and adults, whether it be for rehab or just getting into fitness to boost their mental health and their confidence. I also run a number of classes.
“Since leaving, it has been way better than I had expected.
“I thought it would be really difficult to break into because there are so many people doing it, but I’m busy every day and doing 40-hour weeks. But I love what I do, it doesn’t feel like work.”
More than 9.5 million votes were cast at this year’s Muddy Stiletto awards, before the winners were revealed earlier this week.
Gloucestershire and Worcestershire were paired together, meaning that Ms Walton, who is based in Cheltenham, was named the best in the two counties.
Hero Brown, founder and editor-in-chief of Muddy Stilettos, said: “I set up these awards 13 years ago to give local lifestyle indies a chance to shine.
“It’s been an honour to showcase these most creative, innovative lifestyle businesses across Gloucestershire & Worcestershire.
“The response to this year’s Muddy Awards has been incredible, with thousands voting to support an amazing array of local businesses, big and small.”
