How the SCS was born

Hey there beautiful human!

I’m Chloe, founder & head personal trainer/cheerleader at the Self Care Sisterhood

I started The SCS in 2018 after struggling to find a place to move that made me feel safe, gave me options & had a friendly supportive community.

So I made it for myself first!

Here’s how the story of how the SCS was born…

In 2012 I completed a clinical pilot trial at Newcastle University called “Healthy Bodies, Healthy minds”. It was an exercise physiology program for women w/depression. We did strength training & conditioning 3 x per week. I was a broke uni student & we got gift cards for attending - sign me up!

What I was NOT prepared for was for it to literally CHANGE MY LIFE!😳 How have I gone my entire life never being taught how to get stronger? Why as a woman have I never been taught this?

I learnt how to weight lift, mobilise, how to use all the gym equipment and it was like a veil had lifted. I never knew how AMAZING my body and mind could feel from regular exercise…

I was able to move through my depression & anxiety through movement. I had another tool in my toolkit that I could use whenever I needed it (alongside psychology and meds).

And so I harassed Adri our trainer with every single question I could!

How do you use a barbell?

What’s a deadlift?

What is a core exercise?

What do reps & sets mean?

How do I do single leg exercises?

Luckily Adri had all the answers & one day planted the seed “have you ever thought of going into training or exercise physiology?”I laughed at her suggestion.

But years later my life imploded - I was bed bound w/ migraine & endometriosis for 2 years. Every part of me screamed to be able to move- to feel strong! To feel capable!

My mental health took a turn for the worst & I’m very lucky to still be here today. Then we moved house & I found my old training journal from Adri & it inspired me to consider teaching in a different way.

Surely there were women like me who needed access to fitness? Who didn’t feel like they belonged at mainstream gyms? Who wanted to feel strong but were terrified of the grunting gym bros & mean girl culture?

So I became a PT in 2017. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done (post 2 years bedbound!) I was the slowest one there 🤪

But I did it! And that’s how The SCS was born!

My mission is to help you build body trust, get strong + find a movement routine that lights you up.

You don’t have to do it alone -join our kind, supportive community + feel freaking amazing.

No mirrors, no ego lifting & LGBTQIA+ affirming.

Our motto is ‘Move for your mind first - and the rest will follow!’