Meet Fiona McCann, Skimble‘s featured Trainer! Having discovered her own passion for exercise later on in life, it didn’t take Fiona long to become addicted to the rush we all know and love. As an active Skimble member and trainer, she has created over 300 workouts and completed nearly 1,000 workouts to boot. We recently had the chance to chat with Fiona and learn about how she left the corporate world behind to help others feel great about themselves on the inside and out.
Tell us a bit about yourself – where are you from?
Fiona: I am originally from Dublin, Ireland, where I spent most of my career working in a corporate environment with large fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies. I’m the eldest in my family of three, with two younger brothers and I have two children of my own – Rachel who is 15 and Cormac who is 10. We relocated to Copenhagen in 2013 where we lived for 3 years before moving to New Delhi for 2 years, before returning home to Ireland in 2018. My two children and I live on the Northside of Dublin, close to the city centre in a very community-based neighbourhood. I love to travel so the last couple of years of lockdown have been challenging for me!
What inspired you to become a personal trainer?
Fiona: I was always really intimidated by gyms and only started exercising a little at home – on the recommendation of a physiotherapist – to deal with lower back pain following the birth of my second child. In 2012, I joined a local class-based gym, where I found I really enjoyed exercising in a group. Upon moving to Copenhagen, I made friends who asked me to help them to get fit. I started training with a group of six friends in my garden and I found I really enjoyed helping people achieve their goals. This quickly developed into five classes a week with a regular group of up to 80 people attending 2-3 classes per week. We worked out in all weather in a local park after school drop-off and only moved to an indoor facility when the snow was too deep on the ground for burpees! I was studying with Train Fitness in London online throughout my time in Copenhagen to become a qualified Personal Trainer as I had found my passion.
What are your training specialties?
Fiona: I specialise in bodyweight training and especially enjoy creating HIIT workouts. I also love creating workouts using kettlebells and TRX and am massively passionate about nutrition and mental wellness. I offer my clients an holistic approach to their health and wellness – maintaining a balance in their busy lives.
What’s your favorite Workout Trainer feature?
Fiona: I find the ease with which I can create workouts and get them to my clients quickly, giving them realtime instruction with coaching cues, really effective. The feedback features of the app, in which we can all interact and encourage each other gives a lovely community feel to training in Workout Trainer – you really feel like part of a family.
Who are your heroes?
Fiona: I am passionate about lifelong learning and access to education so I greatly admire the bravery of Ruby Bridges in pioneering access to education for all. I also look at Katie Taylor as one of the greatest sportspeople that our country has ever produced, bringing boxing to the forefront of young people’s minds as an accessible sport, especially for young girls.
What keeps you motivated to stay fit yourself?
Fiona: Exercise helps keep me sane! I found exercise late in life – I was 31 when I first got into exercise properly – however, I quickly became addicted. I love the rush I get from a fast moving AMRAP or heavy lifting session and I love inspiring people to become the best version of themselves. My kids motivate me every day and I feel very proud when my son tells me he wants to be strong and have muscles like me!
Do you have any guilty pleasures?
Fiona: I LOVE red wine! There’s nothing to beat curling up with a glass of good red in front of a roaring open fire while the wind and rain beats off the windows in the depths of winter. I try to live by the 80-20 rule, with everything in moderation, so red wine fits very nicely into the 20% of my life I use for treating myself.
What are your hidden talents?
Fiona: I used to be an Irish Dancer so if you catch me at a weak moment I could give you a quick jig!
Do you have any go-to training gear that you would recommend?
Fiona: I cannot recommend a better piece of equipment for an all-round body workout than the TRX and I have yet to find a better core workout that can be done than on those straps.
With regard to my favourite brand of workout clothing, I love the fit of Nike’s high-waisted leggings. Adidas also has a great range of workout bras with fixed pads – game changer!
Please share a secret health/fitness tip with the Skimble community…
Fiona: My favourite tip is around sleeping. A great night’s sleep is key for all-round health and wellness and it’s important to have a fantastic sleep routine to ensure you feel as rested and mentally strong as possible to face your day. A regular bedtime, a silk pillowcase and eye mask, some lavender and a great book or podcast to fall asleep to are my favourite ways to ensure you fall asleep easily. If you’re prone to disturbed sleep – avoid the phone and go back to the book. It’s a great way to get those eyes closing again!
Thanks for sharing with us, Fiona! We’re excited to see what the future will bring for you and your training biz!
Fiona is currently accepting new clients for 1:1 Online Personal Training in Workout Trainer. Get signed up today and let her help you crush your fitness goals.
Want to follow Fiona and other great trainers for inspiration and motivation? Download the Workout Trainer app for Android & iOS, then head on over to the Trainers tab.
Are you a fitness professional? Want to become a Trainer like Fiona and have access to our online coaching tools and more? Get started for free on Skimble’s Trainer page.
