When Chris first came to Amovida Studio in Surrey, it wasn’t about getting fitter or hitting gym milestones. It was about reclaiming the life he thought might be out of reach.
Training With Purpose:
What followed was steady, personalised progress. Exercises were adapted weekly, sometimes even mid-session. Ally worked with his body, not against it, helping rebuild trust in movement through evidence-led care and practical compassion.
That first snowboarding trip came quicker than expected.
“I remember thinking: I can do this. I really can do this again. That changed everything.”
“I’d had a kayaking accident that completely wrecked one shoulder and damaged the other too,” he says. “The surgery was complicated, and the recovery… well, let’s just say it took over a year to go from constant pain to only some pain. I couldn’t sleep lying down for months.”
After working with a brilliant physiotherapist who eventually recommended structured movement-based rehab, Chris found his way to Ally.
Beyond the First Goal:
Since then, Chris has continued to train, setting new goals every few months — kayaking, more snowboarding, everyday movement.
“It’s made much more difference than I ever expected. I hoped it would help. But the results have been bigger, deeper.”
Now, both Chris and his wife Kate train with Amovida.
“She’s seen massive changes too. Within six months, it was obvious.”
Safe, Tailored, and Evidence-Led:
When asked what he’d say to someone in the early days of recovery or considering support but feeling unsure, Chris is clear.
“Here, it’s never one-size-fits-all. The sessions are truly tailored week to week, even minute to minute if needed. There’s deep knowledge, constant research, and zero ego.”
He adds, “It’s a low-worry environment. I never feel like I’m at risk. I’ve trained in other places where I genuinely thought I might make things worse. That’s not the case here. If something isn’t right, it’s changed immediately. It’s safe. And it works.”
Chris came in looking to rebuild his shoulders. He left with something more: belief, momentum, and a quiet kind of courage.
Our Movement for Life Philosophy:
At Amovida, stories like Chris’s remind us that strength is not about lifting the heaviest weights or pushing through pain. It is about moving with purpose, adapting with intelligence and building the confidence to return to the activities you love. That is the heart of our Movement for Life philosophy, supporting you through recovery, growth and beyond, so you can keep doing what matters most to you.
“She had lived experience of similar injuries, and she just knew what to do. I’d tried a couple of other trainers, but Ally really stood out. I felt safe with her.”
At the time, daily life still felt heavy. Movement was limited. Pain was the norm. But Chris had a goal: snowboarding.
“We set a date. That was the aim. I didn’t know if it was possible, but we trained towards it anyway.”
