Mytime Active stories - Kinga
From rock bottom to role model.
Although 33-year-old Kinga Kawula from Beckenham often had some type of fitness regime on the go, her relationship with exercise was always on and off; she would join a gym for a while before stopping and then starting again a year or so later. But after joining Mytime Active in September 2022, Kinga’s relationship with physical activity took a drastic turn for the better, changing her life and her career in the process.
She explains: “I worked in bars and restaurants for more than 10 years, which wasn’t great for my health anyway, but after my personal life was turned upside down I was unable to work at all for a number of years. I initially joined Mytime Active for my mental health. I was miserable being at home 24/7 and needed a reason to get out of the house. I never thought it would turn into a new career for me!”
Support That Made the Difference
Kinga started exercising in the gym and, with support from Greg, a personal trainer at The Spa at Beckenham, created a regular weekly routine. She says: “Greg supported me with my personal programme, which is available free of charge at all the Mytime Active gyms. It’s a great way to get you started if you are scared like I was, not knowing what to do or where to start, overwhelmed or lost. Greg was amazing, very understanding and very motivating too.
“I’m very driven and full-on with things I enjoy, so I quickly became hungry for more. That’s when I met Nicki, the Les Mills Body Combat instructor, and decided to try her class. I’ve never looked back. I absolutely fell in love with Body Combat and gained a friend too! I attended as many sessions as I could each week, and also started my own little boxing journey, attending The Spa’s MMA-style class, Fierce, and eventually training by myself in the gym.”
Kinga started to consider becoming an instructor herself and, whilst attending a Les Mills Body Combat event at The Spa, was approached by another newly-made friend and Mytime Active instructor, Sandra, who suggested she give it a try. “That was the big turning point,” says Kinga. “I was lacking confidence and wasn't sure if I was good enough, but when Sandra said I was, I decided to take the chance and just go for it. I booked a weekend-long training course, spent a couple of months non-stop polishing my skills – training hard and learning loads, and eventually became certified to teach Les Mills Body Combat!”
Paying It Forward
In June 2023, just 10 months after joining Mytime Active as a member, Kinga took over the very Body Combat class it all started with for her. She quickly went on to get certifiication to teach Les Mills Body Pump too. “It became another obsession – in the best way,” she says. “I now teach seven classes a week at Mytime Active leisure centres and another local private club, and also work at The Pavilion as a Mytime Active wellbeing advisor. I’m also training to be personal trainer.
“The Mytime Active group exercise instructors and the community I became a part of had a massive impact on me, changing my whole approach to exercise. One class could completely change my mood for better and the impact it all had on my mental health is unbelievable. I thought ‘if I can become an instructor and do the same for one other person that’s a good enough reason to do it’, and it’s so worth it. I love the energy, the people and the social environment, the music, the health benefits – the list is long and I’m so proud to be doing this job.
“I’ve developed professionally, I’m healthier, my mood is so much better and even my sleep has improved. But in addition to that, I’ve gained so much confidence as a woman; I know I’m physically strong, I’ve got stamina and I’m fierce. I actually quite emotional about it because three years ago I never thought I could this person, feeling so good about myself. Now I know I’m on the right path.”