About Halla Wellness
I’m a qualified personal trainer, mum of two, and the heart behind Halla Wellness. After years of navigating my own complicated relationship with fitness, food, and body image, I’ve learned that real strength isn’t about being smaller or perfect – it’s about feeling capable, supported, and at home in your body.
I created this space for people who want to train in an environment that feels safe and non-intimidating, where the focus is on what your body can do, not what it looks like. Whether you’re returning to exercise, feeling overwhelmed by traditional gyms, or simply want movement that feels good again, you’re welcome here.
Fitness That Feels Like Home
I’ve always loved fitness – the feeling of getting stronger, the confidence that comes from knowing what your body can do. Growing up, I’d run and do Pilates with my mum, and those are memories I still cherish. But I also grew up in an era where “skinny” mattered more than strong, where eating disorders were quietly normalized, and negative self-talk was just part of being a woman.
I know that world intimately, because I lived in it for years – struggling with bulimia, binge eating, and fad diets that promised everything and delivered nothing but guilt.
Watching family age and lose mobility, and after becoming a mum myself, I reached a turning point. I want to help people build sustainable strength so they could live well and age with confidence. But I also knew the environment mattered. Traditional gyms can feel intimidating and alienating – it’s hard to focus on your own progress when comparison and self-doubt are creeping in.
So I created a space where you belong.
What Halla Wellness Means
Halla is short for Valhalla – a nod to my husband’s and my love of Norse culture. In Norse mythology, Valhalla is a place of honor, glory, and happiness – a sanctuary for brave warriors who showed resilience and courage.
I believe that’s something we can all relate to. Every person who shows up for themselves, who chooses to invest in their health despite the challenges, who pushes through one more rep even when it’s hard – that’s bravery. That’s resilience.
We chose Wellness over Fitness because we believe in a holistic approach: not just physical strength, but mental and spiritual wellbeing too. Halla Wellness is your sanctuary – a place where your courage is honored and your effort is celebrated.
The Reality of Being a Mum
As a mum of two, I understand what it’s like to put yourself last – after the kids, the house, your partner, everyone else. I missed my morning runs. I missed having energy. And every time I felt that loss, guilt followed. It became a toxic cycle I still navigate.
That experience shapes everything I do here. Halla Wellness exists to remind you that making time for yourself isn’t selfish – it’s essential. You deserve to do it in a space that feels supportive and safe.
My Approach
I’m not interested in quick fixes or outdated ideas about what fitness should look like. I focus on sustainable strength – the kind that supports your life instead of competing with it.
Sessions are designed to meet you wherever you’re at: getting back into exercise, rebuilding trust in your body, or just wanting movement that feels good again without overthinking a program.
My goal is simple: for you to leave each session feeling proud you showed up, grateful for what your body can do, and motivated to come back.
As one client shared: “I feel relaxed. I work harder, feel stronger, happier, and lighter after each session.”
Another said: “I’m actually excited to show up for myself. Sarah truly cares about my progress and wellbeing.”
That’s what I’m building – a place where you’re part of a family that celebrates your wins and encourages you through every rep.
What I Believe
“Making a change is hard. Staying the same is hard. Choose your hard.”
“Comparison is the thief of joy. Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle.”
I draw inspiration from Nia Shanks’ Lift Like a Girl and James Clear’s Atomic Habits – reminders that real change comes from showing up consistently, not from perfection.
I’m passionate about women’s health grounded in real research, not fads. And I’m committed to pushing back against toxic fitness culture: the guilt, the comparison, the idea that you need to earn rest. That’s not what we do here.
Beyond the Studio
Outside of training, you’ll find me reading, playing around in the kitchen, or holidaying in our caravan with my husband, kids, and dog – usually near a beach.
One day, I hope to expand into a larger space with childminding facilities and programming for young families, creating a network where parents can connect and prioritize their wellbeing without guilt or overwhelm.
You Don’t Need to Be “Fit” to Start
You just need a place that feels like home.
If you’re ready to build strength that lasts in an environment that honors your body instead of fighting it – this is your place.