Fact file:

Name: Terry Samuels

Job: Director of Aktiv Personal Training

Born: Wolverhampton

Lives:Chester

Education: Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU)

Family: Single with two daughters aged 12 and eight

Terry with his daughters Aimée and Anais

A typical day starts with a 5:45am alarm call to get myself ready and take the short walk to my 6:30am appointment with one of my regular clients, Steve. I tend to have a small bowl of Greek yogurt with blueberries and a glass of water before I head off.

Our sessions consist of a fair bit of weight training and boxing also features heavily in our workouts. After I’ve put him through his paces, I pop home quickly for a small protein shake. Then it’s straight over to Carden Park where Aktiv Personal Training is based, to train Dave who is in his mid 50s, is a jiu jitsu black belt and still plays rugby on a weekly basis. Then I teach a 45-minute high energy high fat burning class that I devised myself. Average calorie burn during the class is in the region of 600 but due to its structure, you will continue burning calories off the back of the class for a further 24 hours.

Buddy personal training

Once the class is over, it’s a quick trip downstairs to grab an apple before my next appointment. Pete who is one of my Stroke Rehabilitation clients, found me through the ARNI Trust (Action for Rehabilitation from Neurological Injury), where I have been a trained instructor with for the past 11 years.

Pete lives in Runcorn but has been making the trip to Carden Park weekly for the past five years. He has made amazing progress and I’m sure the facilities at Carden have played a massive part in his rehabilitation.

Then it’s back home for something light for lunch, often a chicken breast, broccoli and a little cous cous. Back to Carden for 4pm and pretty much back to back sessions with housekeeper Lynnette, interior designer Mark, Chris who is retired and accountant Cheryl, all of whom are looking to increase their fitness and toning but, are all at different levels. As such, they are all very different sessions.

At some point during those few hours I’m usually topped up with a piece of fruit and my homemade detox water of fresh lime, lemon, cucumber and mint.

Working day over, it’s my time! 35-minute intense gym session for my strength, fitness, fat burn and toning.

In training

My training is generally a combination of own body weight exercises and using the same pieces of equipment I train my clients with. Once finished, I go down to the spa relaxation area to chill out in the sauna, steam room and massive hydrotherapy pool. Home for my evening meal, which I like to keep light, so is often something like a piece of salmon with asparagus and Mediterranean veg. After that it’s feet up listening to music for a couple of hours. Then sleep!

At the driving range at Carden Park

What do you wear to do your job? A combination of smart tracksuits, shorts, sports tops and MANY different pairs of trainers.

What is the favourite part of your job? Seeing people enjoying their workouts, having fun and them getting great results at the same time.

What is the least favourite part of your job? Admin. It makes me want to cry!

What would be your dream job if you weren’t doing what you do now? I’ve worked hard for many years to put myself in the position where I ‘am’ doing my dream job! My dream job would be personal trainer to American actor Will Smith. I'd be flown anywhere in the world to get him in shape for various film roles and join him and his family when they're on holiday to keep them beach body ready.

Lifting weights

How do you relax when you are not working? Listening to music, DJing and cycling. I started DJing in 1997 in wine bars and a couple of clubs in Stoke-on-Trent, Winsford and Crewe. My first job came after being sat in a meeting with a club owner and a mixtape was playing quietly in the background. He asked who the mix was by, I told him I had done it, he offered me work straight away - I’d only been Djing a few weeks! In more recent years, I have worked at The Commercial, Bar Lounge and Watergates in Chester, clubs in Liverpool and Manchester and The Ivy Club in London. My favourite routes for cycling are on the country lanes surrounding Carden Park Hotel - Clutton, Stretton, Farndon, Churton, Tilston and Malpas. I will do anything from a quick three-miler to a more lengthy 30-miler which may take me into Chester and back. Looking forward to the summer evenings to get some good rides in!

Terry DJing

What is your favourite film? Pulp Fiction.

What is your favourite book? Bear Grylls - Mud, Sweat and Tears.

What is your favourite song? Al Green - Let’s Stay Together.

If a film was made of your life, who would you like to play you? Idris Elba

Have you had your 15 minutes of fame yet? A few years ago the BBC were doing a programme showcasing what various companies did for the health and wellbeing of their staff. I was the instructor on the ‘i-Move’ programme at MBNA/Bank of America Chester. Its purpose was to encourage better posture at your desk, improve blood and oxygen circulation, increase energy levels and decrease sick days. The BBC came and videoed a session then aired it on BBC 3. I also appeared on the BBC programme My Big Decision which followed three teenagers wanting to make life changing decisions such as pregnancy. The episode I appeared on was where a 16-year old girl wanted to have liposuction but at the end of her journey had decided to go for personal training as opposed to having the treatment and I was the personal trainer she chose.

We want to hear from people from all walks of life – to take part, email jo.henwood@trinitymirror.com or fill out the form below

We're testing a new site:This content is coming soon