I became a This Girl Can Ambassador so that I can encourage women and girls to remember what it’s like to have fun and enjoy the sport that they take part in.

As a busy mum and business owner I understand that it’s challenging to fit it all in, or to feel confident in taking part in sport. I have a huge amount of empathy in knowing how hard it is to take that first step or to keep consistent with exercise.

After my Mum passed away when I was 21, I stopped enjoying my usual activities, finding it hard to know what exercise was right for me. Over time I looked to make some changes in my life, taking small steps both physically and mentally, one day at a time.

Enter running.

It has been a driver for my mental and physical health. My experience of change through exercise has been incredible and I want to use this opportunity to inspire others who may have been through a tough time to find their ‘thing’ to help them to not only heal, but to thrive.

From couch to 5k to Park Run to a yearly Race for Life at Hylands Park in Chelmsford and, in 2022, proudly running in the London marathon to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support, my journey with running has been a long and emotional one. As 43-year-old women navigating perimenopause, parenting, working and all things called ‘life’ I have had to dig deep to keep motivated. I want others to know that you can do it, don’t give up, just take the first step, and keep moving forward.

Favourite activity to get moving: Running

Kate’s words: “She believed she could, so she did.”