CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
LAUREN
Body composition and mindset change/ Building muscle
Before signing up for coaching I felt a bit lost and confused about where I wanted to go with training and working out in general. I spent months yo-yoing between rinning 5km on the treadmill and randomly throwing in some leg days and confining myself to one machine as I didn't know what else to do. I had a terrible relationship with food and thought that eating as few calories as possible was the only way to get closer to the physique I desired. I felt overall really terrible and struggled with body confidence and a lack of knowledge about how to train to achieve results. Shortly after I started coaching I had enough confidence to go into any area of the gym at any time. I finally had a structured plan in place to organise workouts, cardio and nutrition and my focus changed from wanting to get smaller to wanting to get stronger. My greatest achievement so far is noticing my body composition change over the last two years. I have been through a few structured gaining and re-composition phases so far and my muscle definition is prominent, my strength is at an all time high, I feel great about my body and go to the gym not caring what anyone else thinks of me. I also learned so much about food and nutrition and what my body needs to thrive. I've learned how to be more balanced with food, and I now appreciate the importance of rest and recovery, rather than punishing my body with relentless cardio on little to no food. My mental health is much better as now I can use the gym to take out my frustrations and lifting weights genuinely makes me feel better on my bad days. The consistency and helpful feedback from my weekly check-ins with Larissa is really valuable to me. I initially started off with 1:1 sessions, and once my knowledge and confidence increased we started working together on an online basis. Having to submit my check-ins each week keeps me accountable and helps me to look back over my week and assess all elements of my day to day life such as sleep, food and training. What I like best about Larissa's coaching is that she listens to me and knows exactly when to push me and when to tell me to relax and ease up on myself. Overall, the strength and capabilities I achieved in the gym exceeded my expectations. What I would like to mention in particular is that I am never pushed to achieve anything I do not want to achieve, the focus is always on me, my goals and my life alone. If you are thinking of signing up do yourself a favour and do it; the workout programmes are built flexibly to suit my lifestyle, my food and nutrition preferences are taken into consideration and the overall coaching focus is on strength and personal development rather than on the simple exercise of losing weight.
JEAN
Body composition and mindset change
When I contacted Larissa for coaching I was feeling very middle aged both mentally and physically - overweight, lacking in energy and enthusiasm, with no real expectation of being able to change things. I felt a bit helpless, and definitely overwhelmed with my situation. I asked Larissa to help me with establishing a fitness routine that I could stick to and gain confidence in the gym and in how to use the equipment properly and safely. Being a little older I was concerned that I wouldn't be taken seriously or that I wouldn't be able to build any real connection and would therefore lose interest and motivation quickly. Two years later, 20kg less on the scales and an immaculate health screening test competed, I realise that it was absolutely needless to worry. Pacticularly the results of my health screening test is a testament to the benefits I have gained from working with Larissa. I feel fitter than I have been in my 20s and my consistency and performance in the gym is something I still have to wrap my head around sometimes! I deadlift, I hip thrust and I do everything the younger generation does safely and with good form. I really enjoy my gym routine and have been going regularly before or after work to do lifting and cardio sessions, and I also train at the weekend, which used to be a time where I would usually not do myself any favours what so ever when it came to activity and nutrition. At almost 55 years of age I gained strength and body definition that I did not think was possible. I can now walk into the gym with confidence at any time and know exactly what to do, which makes the experience enjoyable and not an ordeal to be feared. I have a food plan which is flexible, perfectly manageable and still gets the results I want. It was clear from the start that coaching was Larissa's passion, not just a side-line or a casual hobby. I wanted to find someone who would work with my physical limitations and lack of confidence in a gym setting and not just push generic content that wasn't going to be effective or achievable for me. I realised that Larissa does not give up on her clients, and that if I was prepared to put in my best effort and commitment, then she would always be there for me. Overall, I am much more aware of my health and take much greater interest in how to maintain a balanced lifestyle. Larissa has the ability to adapt her coaching style and advice to suit each person's unique circumstances and understand what is important to them and what might be a barrier to their success. Her overall commitment to her clients and her work ethic is second to none and has never faltered, even in the face of a temporary relocation 9.000 miles away and the onset of a global pandemic. Larissa manages to strike a great balance between accountability and encouragement. She understands that we all have off days and she takes this into account, whilst still creating an expectation of commitment and progress. She is also a great role model who works extremely hard on anything she sets her mind to. If you are serious about making changes to your overall health and fitness, Larissa will support you every step of the way, she helped me exceed my goals already, and my coaching experience has been truly transformational. She believed in me when I did not, and held me accountable when it was needed. I am excited about the journey ahead and I can highly recommend Larissa's coaching services.
DONNA
Building muscle/ Increasing strength
Having experienced different 1:1 and online coaching styles before, Larissa has given me the most structure, knowledge and direction to date and I really surprised myself with the progress I made over the last year or so. The coaching is holistic and extensive and doesn't stop in the gym. All areas of life are considered, plans are completely personalised and what changed the most for me is that I am being accountable each day. Over time, this led to much better adherence to a balanced diet and less worry about not achieving enough. I have daily and weekly targets, and as long as I stay accountable to those I feel reassured that my efforts are channeled in the right direction and are taking me closer to my goals. Before I signed up for coaching I was not enjoying going to the gym and training as much, and one of my main goals was finding my love for exercise again. I have achieved just that, and one change I noticed is that I am in the gym less than ever, but I feel stronger and my physique is leaner. I have been very consistent with the workouts I was assigned weekly, and focussed on the quality of my sessions, rather than the quantity. Thanks to Larissa's help my lifting form has improved despite having trained with weights before, and I can see than my sessions are programmed smartly and in a way that brings me closer to the lean and toned physique I desire. What I like most about my coaching experience is how much Larissa cares about the wellbeing of her clients. I am learning how important recovery between sessions is, and I enjoy a balanced lifestyle without guilt when I miss the gym once in a while. The coaching approach and my feedback is straightforward, there is no nonsense and yet areas of success and areas for improvement are communicated sensibly. I feel supported and motivated on a daily basis. Overall I am having a great experience and I am pushed out of my comfort zone in a different way every single week. I feel like I am reaching my potential, and Larissa believes in me and what I can achieve more than I sometimes believe in myself. If you are thinking about signing up for coaching I can highly recommend it. You will not regret it; if you are prepared to put in the work you will see the results!
CARLY
Body composition and mindset change
I work with Larissa online from the US and I really enjoy my online coaching experience. It is such a valuable addition to my life as a whole and I feel motivated and supported daily. Before signing up for coaching I was sedentary and had high blood pressure. The first goal we set was to resolve my health issues, and only a few months into coaching we achieved just that. It is an incredible feeling when your health improves and the feedback on your hard work and dedication from everyone around you is positive and encouraging. Another goal we worked towards was for me to fit into my bridesmaids dress for my best friends wedding. After the pandemic, it dod not zip up and I was worried I would not be able to fit into it at all at the wedding. It's safe to say we smashed this goal as during the first few months of coaching I lost a lot of body fat in a healthy way, my body composition and measurements changed rapidly and I ended up not fitting my dress, but in a positive way! It was far too loose and had to be taped together! What I value most about Larissa's coaching is the 24/7 support. I don't have to leave the house and I can progress with home workouts, and my weekly targets are structured and I know exactly what I have to do each in order to further progress my weight loss journey long-term. We set short and long-term goals to keep me motivated, and reaching them feels fantastic. It has always been hard for me to adjust my food lifestyle, so I was worried I woln't enjoy the food I would have to eat or struggle with it too much. There was no need to worry as with larissa's help I leanred to make mindful food choices, I still enjoy a social life and can have small treats, and I understand better which food choices I should make on a daily basis to fuel and nourish my boy adequately. One of my main achievements so far though is that my mental health has improved so much. Not only have I so far lost almost 30 pounds and my blood is normal, I also feel more self-confident and stronger than ever. I value how Larissa celebrates every small victory with her clients and is genuinely proud of my progress. Even on a bad day there is never any shame, and I can count on her for support and reassurance. The education that goes along with the programme is second to none and I have already recommended Larissa's services to friends and family because this is the only programme I have ever been successful with!
CLAIRE
Body composition and mindset change
Before I started coaching with Larissa I didn't really know my way around the gym and I definitely didn't feel comfortable doing anything other than cardio. I had very little knowledge of good nutrition and was just eating whatever was quick and filling. I felt anxious and self-conscious going to the gym by myself and my training intensity was very poor. I singed up with Larissa to increase my confidence levels and to understand how to 'get fit' without doing damage to my health or injuring myself. I contacted Larissa because of her extensive education and her background, and we immediately clicked during my consultation. We worked together face-to-face during my 1:1 sessions initially, and for already more than a year I have been consistent either with 1:1 sessions or through online coaching. My greatest worry was nutrition; I had no previous interest in tracking my food intake and ensuring I eat enough protein and I was concerned I would not be able to adhere. However, I surprised myself with how well I am able to stick to the targets Larissa set for myself; I still enjoy a flexible and varied diet, but I am much more aware of what foods are fuelling my body and which foods I should limit. I feel like I can still have the occasional snack or treat, and that helps with keeping cravings at bay. Once I started seeing progress and changes to my physique I felt more and more motivated to keep going and really put in a big effort. Thanks to my work with Larissa I learned to love the gym and I gained an incredible amount of knowledge. I cannot believe it is me saying this, but I enjoy achieving my daily and weekly targets, I like going for walks to stay active, and I also really enjoy going to Spin classes to hit my weekly cardio targets. My confidence levels inside and outside of the gym have increased massively, and whereas I would have never dreamt of walking into certain areas of the gym on my own before, I don't think twice about it anymore. I really enjoy having the skills, knowledge and motivation to manage my food in a healthy and balanced way. What I value most is the improvement I have noticed in relation to my mental health. Lifting weights helps me to destress and clear m head. I feel amazing when trying on clothes and I can see how the progress I make in relation to fitness rubs off on other aspects of my life and has an overall positive impact on everything I do. If you are thinking about coaching with Larissa I can highly recommend it. She is friendly, positive, knowledgeable and supportive and genuinely cares about my progress and wellbeing. Her approach is very individualised and I am honestly just so happy and grateful for everything she has done for me, my life has improved massively sine I started coaching!
HANNAH
Body composition and mindset change
Before I started coaching with Larissa my life had very little structure in terms of eating and exercise. I was around 90kg, and in the almost three years we worked together so far I have reached a healthy body composition around 65kg. I used to struggle a lot with my self image and feeling confident in myself. When I signed up for coaching I predominantly wanted to get stronger and feel better. I wanted to achieve a toned and lean look, and I have come a very long way already. However, as I keep progressing I continuously set myself new goals related to body composition and muscle building. My life changed completely when I started coaching with Larissa. My diet, my activity level, my confidence (and the size of my biceps!) have all increased tremendously, and I am proud of how far I have come. I like my muscle definition, I like my healthy body composition, and I feel good about my body and my relationship with food. As a coach, Larissa has exceeded my expectations. Her advice is continuously helpful and reassuring, she has motivated me to stay on track during good and bad times for many years now, and I particularly like her holistic coaching approach which respects my career, my personal life and that things happen outside of the gym that can affect my mood, motivation and stress levels. I feel that Larissa pushes me when I need her to and calls me out when I could do better, but at the same time she understands when to tell me to relax and when other areas in my life temporarily need more focus than the gym. Despite not having liked every second of forming new habits and bettering myself, I felt never lost or alone when pushing myself outside of my comfort zone. I had the right guidance and could always rely on Larissa, and I am loving the results I get and I simply feel incredible!
KATIE
Body composition change/ Improving nutrition
Before signing up to coaching with Larissa, I would always go to the gym to slog my way through some cardio and then do the same weights without ever seeing change. While I always enjoyed lifting weights, I ignored other aspects of my health, having a mixed relationship with food, and thinking less calories inherently mean healthier. After having an awful time at the gym, being made fun of for my weight, Larissa offered me an opportunity to be coached by her. By working with Larissa, I have developed a much healthier attitude towards food. I no longer diet as a form of self-punishment, but I am more mindful what I eat. She also gave me different work out routines, both for at home and at the gym, which I stick to continuously. Her enthusiasm and consistent support during our time working together really helped me feel more confident in the gym and in my own body. Sine I started training with Larissa I got in MUCH better shape, I lost over 20kg so far and still counting, and now I actually enjoy cardio and look forward to exercising, no matter what I do at the gym or outdoors! As someone who always hated PE at school, this is genuinely something i never thought I would ever say, and I would have never thought I would enjoy a healthy and active lifestyle as much as I do.
LISA
Developing routine and good daily habits
The level of support I received far exceeded my expectations. Larissa was so patient and kind during our coaching time together, and she could have not done more to support me if she tried. I loved the daily support via messages and voice notes, which were always full of wisdom, helped me to incorporate coaching into my life and circumstances realistically, and made me feel less like a failure when I was struggling. I initially reached out to Larissa because I found her to be extremely relatable, realistic and supportive. Before I started coaching, I was lost with exercise, nutrition, routine, planning my time, and balancing working from home with other life commitments. I felt unproductive and stressed all of the time. Since I started coaching with Larissa, I feel like everything has changed; it sounds like an exaggeration, but it is not. I managed to break my bad habits regarding nutrition and found a way to plan cooking nutritious meals during my week, which lowered my desire to snack and have takeaways because I was full and satisfied. I got back into the gym after trying and failing myself for three years. But most importantly I learned how to prioritise my time, create boundaries for working at home and become more organised, which drastically reduced my stress levels. My mental health is probably the biggest improvement, my stress levels have reduced, and my head is clearer. The next biggest achievement is getting back to eating like an adult rather than an unsupervised toddler, and this has helped my energy levels and digestion. The last would be simply getting back into the gym with workouts that I enjoy. I found my coaching experience extremely valuable and meaningful; I learned a lot that I will take forward, and I am very grateful for the experience – not just my training, but my whole day to day life has improved. THANK YOU!
IDA
Gaining strength and working on a positive body image
I would highly recommend coaching with Larissa. This is mainly because of the dedicated coaching support outside of the gym sessions, which has really helped me with my mental health and my relationship with food. I always felt seen and attended to. I really got my money´s worth. The responses on my check ins were always helpful and the possibility to always send a message with a question was very good. I am now finding it easy to focus more on eating enough food and going to the gym in order to get stronger, as opposed to wanting to primarily change my appearance. I also feel a lot more comfortable in my own body. This has freed energy and “head space” that I can now spend on more useful stuff instead of constantly being worried about gaining weight or being miserable about my looks. My initial goal was to get stronger and feel more confident in the gym. I feel like I have definitely achieved both of those things. I still have a long way to go in terms of muscle gain and fitness, but I am enjoying it and feeling motivated. It is also a lot less scary going to the gym alone because I have some sense of what to do and that I am doing it correctly. I am very pleased with my achievements so far!
