Meet Leanne Bentley, a dedicated legal software trainer who has transformed her health and fitness journey over the past 18 months with help from The Cut personal trainers.
After years of struggling with weight fluctuations, lack of structure, and the impact of menopause on her mental and physical health, Leanne found a supportive community that not only helped her achieve her goals but also reignited her passion for fitness.
Her story is a testament to the power of determination, expert personal training guidance and the right environment which are crucial to create life-changing results for all men and women seeking to improve their fitness.
How long have you been training with us at The Cut?
I joined 18 months ago, but have been an addicted regular for just over a year.
What was your health and fitness like before working with us. What were the challenges you faced with your health and fitness?
In 2008 I was 110kg, and I had lost a bit under 40kg which I had largely managed to keep off. But it was starting to yoyo in the past 5 years and lockdown was bad as it was for a lot of people. My fitness and diet during this time has been very stop-start.
The weight gain has been steady since the end of 2022 increasing back up to 84kg, and I just couldn’t seem to shift it.
What motivated you to join us?
I had been looking for a weight training gym with a personal trainer for a while. Have had a lot of awful trainers in gyms so I knew what I was looking for and didn’t want to settle for another bad trainer. I happened to be on the elevator, went to the wrong floor, when the lift doors opened and saw The Cut. It was serendipity!
How did you feel about your state of health, fitness and gym structure before working with us?
I’m very lazy which is why I was morbidly obese for most of my life. There was no cohesion, no plan, and I was relying on stuff I had done in the past which, as you get older, doesn’t necessarily work. There was no one to prod me and tell me to get on with it.
What has it been like working with us? Is there anything you particularly liked?
I particularly like the friendly and welcoming personal trainers. The encouragement comes not only from my own trainer, but from the others too.
They really know what they are doing and their focus is on you for every rep. They get to know you as a person and what makes you tick. I’m extremely competitive so Jem hooked into that and pushes me.
I credit Jem for helping me get my gym habit back. The What’s App message “have you trained today, Leanne?” was SO key to switching my brain on. The commitment followed because I knew I was going to get that prod. Now I’m just addicted to the work.
What have you achieved physically and mentally?
My life has completely changed this year. I have had some mental health challenges in 2023 and my training has been absolutely key to turning this around. The gym puts itself out there as a “body transformation” gym, and it certainly is. I have lost 14kg and have achieved my weight target – that I haven’t been at since I was a child.
How do you feel now having achieved what you have in health and fitness?
I feel absolutely amazing. My mental health took a bad knock last year and I had fairly serious menopause issues. Every day was a slog, to get out of bed and to get going. I certainly couldn’t exercise. Now, I can’t wait to get in there because the achievement I feel at the end – knowing Jem has kicked my butt and I got through it – is immense. The results speak for themselves.
What would you say to someone thinking about joining us?
Do it. Absolutely do it. I would particularly urge women “of a certain age” to start using weights. But the commitment is absolutely essential; if you don’t do it, you won’t do it.
Since joining The Cut Gym, Leanne has lost an incredible 14kg, achieving a weight she hadn’t seen since childhood.
Her journey hasn’t just been about physical transformation but also overcoming mental health challenges and the female body transformation barriers posed by menopause.
With unwavering support from her trainer Jem and the entire team at The Cut, Leanne has rebuilt her confidence, established a consistent gym routine, and fallen in love with weight training. Her message to others is simple: commit to the process and the results will follow—no matter your age, sex or starting point.
Steve Wise
Founder & Head Coach at The Cut Gym
@stevecutgym
