About Dawn:
Finding My Penny Strength
"I’ve spent a huge chunk of my life outdoors, but I didn't find my true 'Penny Strength' - that deep, resilient confidence - until my mid 40s.
From playgrounds and coastlines to peaks
The outdoors has always been my playground. My journey began with childhood adventures in the Hertfordshire countryside playing with flint stones and clay (later finding arrowheads and scrapers!), rugged explorations on the West Coast of the Highlands with my brother, while our Dad was scuba diving with friends. Later, on the UK’s South Coast, scuttling around sailboat decks, avoiding whizzing sheets and flapping sails, trying not to get in the way – often failing!
I even took part in a rapids race in Hay on Wye at the age of 10. I have funny story about that!
And so holding outdoor fitness classes in Brecon just feels natural.
Building Resilience
For decades, I worked supporting other businesses from large US and UK corporates, to Government partnerships and small businesses.Â
While I was helping others succeed, I was unknowingly learning to build my own resilience. I realised that true strength is about more than physical fitness; it’s the emotional intelligence to embrace your individuality and the unwavering belief that you are capable, exactly as you are.
Building Resilience​
For decades, I worked supporting other businesses from large US and UK corporates, to Government partnerships and small businesses.Â
While I was helping others succeed, I was unknowingly learning to build my own resilience. I realised that true strength is about more than physical fitness; it’s the emotional intelligence to embrace your individuality and the unwavering belief that you are capable, exactly as you are.
Moving to Brecon
However, it wasn’t until I moved to the Brecon Beacons just before Christmas 2021 that my relationship with the outdoors, community —and myself—truly shifted.
The seeds for Penny Strength were sown in early 2022 when I joined an outdoor circuit class just down the road. It was there that Cathy Ingram first encouraged me to become a Personal Trainer.
Continuing to work in sales, marketing, comms and events with my partner, I also began working for a Forest School training company. Being part of an organisation that championed the value of playing and experiencing the world outside reinforced my mission: to become a fitness professional who uses nature as the ultimate gym.
I qualified in November 2025 enabling me to provide fitness classes and I continue my studies to become a Personal Trainer and look forward to offering 1:1 personal training in 2026!
Moving to Brecon
However, it wasn’t until I moved to the Brecon Beacons just before Christmas 2021 that my relationship with the outdoors, community —and myself—truly shifted.
The seeds for Penny Strength were sown in early 2022 when I joined an outdoor circuit class just down the road. It was there that Cathy Ingram first encouraged me to become a Personal Trainer.
Continuing to work in sales, marketing, comms and events with my partner, I also began working for a Forest School training company. Being part of an organisation that championed the value of playing and experiencing the world outside reinforced my mission: to become a fitness professional who uses nature as the ultimate gym.
I qualified in November 2025 enabling me to provide fitness classes and I continue my studies to become a Personal Trainer and look forward to offering 1:1 personal training in 2026!
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