Rebecca (BEX) Charker

As a child I had a dream of being in the British Army, playing football for the services, riding a motorbike and becoming a Personal Trainer!

From a young age I have loved sport and fitness. My parents encouraged my siblings and I to do as many activities as we could from playing football, to partaking in athletics, swimming and karate.

At the age of fourteen my parents split and as the eldest of three I took on a responsible role of supporting my younger siblings through this time. Football was my solace, we all played and loved football, with my sister and I starting up a local girls team.

At the age of 16 I was diagnosed with OSD, my muscles had gone into a catabolic state and I was at risk of being unable to even walk as I had been so active. Being told at 16 by the British athletics physiotherapist that your aspirations could be over I set about intensive physiotherapy that eventually built me back up and allowed me to continue with my intentions for an active lifestyle and competition. But something had to give so the karate had to go and I carried on with my beloved football.

During college I qualified as a lifeguard and sports assistant at a new state of the art sports complex.  I really enjoyed the variety my role offered and the customer contact and service I delivered, working within a team as well as individually.

I subsequently left to join the British Army, fulfilling my ambition. My Passing In Parade I received an award for best recruit in Physical Fitness, I was so proud. I soon qualified as a Combat Medical Technician ( Paramedic equivalent in civilian world) I was beyond happy in this new role.

Having left the British Army I returned to the sports centre I loved working at. During this time, I discovered that my “Dad” was not actually my biological Dad. I’d always commented on my slightly olive skin and finding out my real Dad is actually Greek confirmed a lot. This was exciting but also scary news, I was not fully related to my siblings or my “Dad” but had another person that I could meet and build a relationship with if I could find him.

Eight years in the civilian world and I was after a new challenge, I signed up to the Royal Navy. I will always remember my sister laughing saying "why have you done that you get sea sickness" I remember saying that I thought it was her that did (I so young when we sailed to France I can hardly remember).

I had the best 4 1/2 years serving in the Royal Navy. I played for a local civilian football team as well as the Royal Navy women’s football team and the Combined Service football team. We played against the Dutch National Women’s team, an amazing experience and moments that will stay with me forever.

I eventually left the Royal Navy as a qualified Close Protection Officer, jobs included security for the Spice Girls and the Beckhams whilst in London, VPs visiting the UK and Harrods but the unsociable hours meant I neglected my football, training and general fitness, not doing the things that actually mattered so much to me. I therefore retrained as a Personal Trainer and Sports Massage Therapists.

I have been a qualified spin instructor for sixteen years. I currently instruct five spin classes a week, alongside four circuit classes, a wellbeing & mobility class for the elderly and multiple personal training clients. I also participate in keeping my own fitness and strength at an optimum and enjoy regular fitness events and challenges, often raising money for charity.