My Journey to Become a Personal Trainer and the Change I Want to Bring

About RhiannonGym AccessibilityPersonal Training Qual...
Written By Rhiannon Cooper

Why I Want to Be a Personal Trainer

When I decided to become a personal trainer, I had one big goal: to make fitness something everyone can enjoy, no matter who they are or how they experience life.

As someone who is neurodivergent and has struggled with anxiety, I've seen how hard it can be to feel welcome in gyms. I know what it's like to feel like you don't fit in. That's why I want to help make fitness spaces better for everyone, especially for people like me who don't fit the "typical" mould.

I knew I wanted to be a different kind of trainer when I realised how much damage 'no excuses' coaching had done to my own Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD). Every 'push harder' felt like 'you're not good enough.' Every missed session felt like proof I'd failed. I built Not So Typical Fitness specifically to be a space where RSD doesn't get weaponised.

This isn't just about personal training sessions, it's about fundamentally changing how the fitness industry approaches accessibility, sensory needs, and mental health support.

Why This Is So Important to Me

Fitness has changed my life, but it wasn't easy. Gyms often felt overwhelming because of bright lights, loud music, and crowds. These sensory challenges, combined with my social anxiety, made it really hard for me to feel comfortable.

I've written before about my struggles with gym anxiety and sensory overload, and I know I'm not alone. So many neurodivergent people avoid fitness entirely because traditional gym environments feel hostile to our nervous systems.

My goal is to change this for others. I want everyone, whether they're neurodivergent, managing mental health struggles, or just feeling like they don't belong, to feel safe and supported in fitness spaces.

Even as I work on becoming a qualified personal trainer, I've faced challenges. The process isn't set up to support trainers with unique needs, like offering reasonable adjustments during assessments or guidance on mental health accommodations. If the gatekeepers of the industry don't understand accessibility, how can we expect gyms to get it right?

That's exactly why representation matters. When neurodivergent trainers like me enter the industry, we don't just bring our qualifications—we bring lived experience that can't be taught in a textbook.

Learn more about my approach as a neurodivergent personal trainer →

My Big Goal: Making Gyms More Welcoming

I want to go beyond being a personal trainer. My dream is to become a "Not So Typical" consultant, helping gyms and fitness organisations make their spaces better for everyone.

Here's what that means to me:

Sensory-Friendly Gyms

Adjusting things like lighting, sound levels, and layout to make gyms more comfortable. This includes:

  • Dimmer lighting options or zones

  • Quieter spaces away from the main cardio area

  • Clear signage and predictable layouts

  • Scheduling during quieter times for those who need less sensory input

I've created comprehensive resources on how to improve gym accessibility and making gym environments welcoming that gyms can actually implement.

Inclusive Training

Teaching gym staff how to work with people who are neurodivergent or have disabilities. This isn't about a one-hour diversity training, it's about fundamentally understanding how to:

  • Provide clear, step-by-step instructions

  • Recognise when someone is becoming overwhelmed

  • Offer modifications without making assumptions

  • Create an environment where asking for help feels safe

My Ultimate Guide to Neurodivergent Fitness covers many of these principles that staff need to understand.

Better Support for Mental Health

Making sure gyms are places where people feel safe, calm, and cared for. This means moving away from the toxic "no pain, no gain" mentality and toward an approach that recognizes rest, recovery, and mental health as essential parts of fitness.

I want gyms to be places where everyone can feel good from the moment they walk in the door, all the way through their fitness journey.

What I've Learned So Far

While working toward my qualification, I've realized something big: the fitness industry needs to change how it supports aspiring trainers, too.

If I have to fight for adjustments just to get qualified, what does that mean for other aspiring trainers who face similar challenges? The process should be more flexible and welcoming, so more people with different abilities and experiences can join the industry.

The lack of neurodivergent trainers isn't because we're not interested or capable—it's because the system isn't designed for us to succeed. Every barrier I've faced has reinforced my commitment to breaking down those barriers for others.

This experience has also shaped how I approach training with my own clients. I understand executive dysfunction, burnout, and the need for flexibility in a way that traditional fitness qualifications don't teach.

Let's Make Fitness Inclusive

The fitness world is supposed to be about helping people grow and feel stronger. To do that, we need to welcome everyone, no matter their background or abilities.

This isn't just a career for me—it's a mission. I want to see a fitness industry where:

  • Neurodivergent trainers are celebrated for their unique perspectives, not seen as liabilities who need "accommodations"

  • Mental health needs are supported, not ignored or dismissed as excuses

  • Everyone, no matter their ability, feels like they belong in fitness spaces from day one

  • Sensory needs are understood as legitimate requirements, not "preferences" to be accommodated only when convenient

  • Accessible fitness is the default, not a special program tucked away in a corner

The changes needed aren't complicated or expensive—they're about awareness, empathy, and a genuine commitment to inclusion. I've outlined many practical steps in my post about when accessibility isn't just a buzzword.

How I'm Making This Happen Right Now

While I work toward my bigger goals of consulting with gyms, I'm already creating change through:

1. Personal Training That Actually Works for Neurodivergent People

I offer both gym-based and online personal training designed specifically for people who've struggled in traditional fitness spaces. My approach includes:

  • Sensory-friendly modifications for every exercise

  • Clear communication and predictable structure

  • Flexibility for executive dysfunction and mental health days

  • Personalised gym inductions that reduce anxiety

If you're nervous about starting, my Gym Confidence Starter Package gives you three supportive sessions to build comfort and capability in the gym environment.

2. Accessible Digital Programs

Not everyone is ready for 1:1 training, and that's okay. My Sensory-Safe Strength System (£27) is an 8-week program you can follow at your own pace which will help you build confidence to walk through the gym doors for the first time. It has built-in accommodations for sensory sensitivities and neurodivergent needs.

3. Free Education and Community

I share strategies, resources, and research through:

4. Advocacy for Industry Change

I'm actively working to change the fitness industry from within by:

  • Sharing my experiences as a neurodivergent trainer in training

  • Creating resources for gyms and fitness professionals

  • Consulting with fitness organisations on accessibility improvements

  • Proving that neurodivergent trainers bring valuable perspectives

Let's Work Together

For Individuals:

To anyone who has ever felt like the fitness industry wasn't for them: I see you, and I want to change that.

You don't need to be "fixed" or "ready" before starting your fitness journey. You need someone who understands your challenges and can work with your brain, not against it.

Ready to start?

For Gyms and Fitness Organisations:

It's time to grow. Let's make fitness a space where everyone can thrive.

If you're interested in making your gym more accessible and inclusive, I'd love to chat about:

  • Staff training on neurodivergent needs

  • Environmental modifications for sensory sensitivity

  • Creating inclusive programming

  • Accessibility audits and recommendations

Get in touch to discuss consultancy options →

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it important to have neurodivergent personal trainers in the industry?

Representation matters because lived experience teaches things that qualifications can't. I understand gym anxiety, sensory overload, and executive dysfunction from the inside. This allows me to anticipate challenges, offer relevant solutions, and create environments where neurodivergent clients feel truly understood, not just "tolerated."

What changes do gyms need to make to be more accessible?

Many accessibility improvements are simple and low-cost: quieter zones, dimmer lighting options, clear signage, sensory-friendly class times, and staff training on neurodivergent needs. The biggest change needed is a shift in mindset—from seeing accessibility as a special accommodation to recognising it as good design that benefits everyone.

How can neurotypical trainers better support neurodivergent clients?

Start by educating yourself on neurodivergent experiences, ask clients about their specific needs without making assumptions, provide clear and consistent communication, offer sensory modifications proactively, and create an environment where clients feel safe to advocate for themselves. My Ultimate Guide to Neurodivergent Fitness is a great starting resource.

What if I don't know if I'm neurodivergent but struggle with traditional gyms?

You don't need a diagnosis to benefit from a sensory-friendly, anxiety-aware approach to fitness. If traditional gyms feel overwhelming or unwelcoming, the strategies I teach can help—regardless of whether you're neurodivergent, dealing with anxiety, or just prefer a calmer environment.

How do you balance being a trainer with your own neurodivergent needs?

Honestly, some days are harder than others. I practice what I preach: I schedule sessions during times that work for my sensory needs, I build in recovery time, I'm transparent with clients when I'm struggling, and I've built systems that support my executive function. I share more about this in my post about days when I struggle too.

The Future I'm Building

This journey isn't just about me becoming a qualified personal trainer—it's about fundamentally changing what's possible for neurodivergent people in fitness, both as clients and as professionals.

Every session I run, every resource I create, and every conversation I have with gym owners is a step toward a fitness industry that truly serves everyone.

The change is already happening. Gyms are starting to recognise that accessibility isn't just about wheelchair ramps—it's about creating environments where different brains can thrive. Trainers are beginning to understand that "one size fits all" programming leaves too many people behind.

But there's so much more work to do.

Will you join me?

Book Your Free Discovery Call →

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Rhiannon Cooper
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