We chat to Helen Carpenter-Waters, leading dance and fitness professional who started working with FitPro in the early days and went on to have an amazing, varied career, and ask about her career highs and lows, and where she’d like to be in 5 years time.
Q. What are your first/happiest memories of FitPro?
A. My first memory is meeting Jane and Brent in their FitPro head office (portacabin!). I think it was at an east London university and I was being interviewed for the Head of Education job with FitPro. Btw, I am proudly one of their first members. Darryl Preston got the job over me, which to this day I think was a wise choice. I was nowhere near ready to take on that role! Then, going to the first FitPro Convention, seeing Lexi Williams, Brett Fairweather (who became a good friend), Marcus Irwin and other stars of that time – it was fantastic. So exciting and inspiring. I presented the following year and at all the rest, bar one, after that!
Helen Carpenter-Waters
Q. How did you get into the fitness industry? Did you think you’d still be loving it all these years later?
A. My gymnastics coach was the sports centre manager where I trained and when one of the Keep Fit teachers was off, he asked me and another senior girl (I was 17) to step in and cover. Can you believe I had 50 in my first class and, by the following week, my class was packed with over 400 ladies! Honestly, I have no idea where that confidence came from and I had no fear at all – it felt so natural! To be honest, it still feels natural – like I was always meant to teach. I’m an older ‘bossy’ sister and love helping people, so that’s probably why! I had no idea about the future and never have had a plan. I was meant to become a lawyer but somehow became a professional dancer, which funded my training in teaching fitness. No one could be more surprised than me that I’m still doing this as a job. I have recently gone back to professional dancing too with a TV show, and a contract with Disney
Q. What have been your career highs and lows and what have you learnt from both?
A. There are a lot of aspects to my career under this dance fitness banner, so happily that has brought lots of opportunity for highs – every time I got a dance job (the Bond movie was pretty cool) and, of course, more recently being chosen to dance for Disney alongside 30 other ‘hot off the press’ fabulous young dancers (aged 18-24), being invited to join the lecturing team at the college I trained at, every time I was invited to present, every time I get great feedback when presenting (and when teaching my regular DYBO crew), every time I pulled on my GB tracksuit, when I became GB champion, and when I won medals at European events and the World Games … and of course receiving the honour of FitPro’s Fitness Leader of the Year Award. Every win and loss provides great learning opportunities and, as an NLP Master, I’ve learned ‘there is no such thing as failure, only feedback’!
Q. What would you say to people coming into the industry and people who have been around for as long as we have?
A. Newbies, learn your craft and practise it (a lot) to create strong foundations in knowledge and application. From there, tread your own path, rather than blindly jumping on to trends, which change as fast as wind direction. Build confidence in what you deliver and remain humble and client centred – it’s not showbiz. It’s not about how gorgeous or fabulous you are (although you are) – it’s about how you make your clients feel when working with you! For those who have been around a while, all the above plus remember your experience is valuable to you, your clients and anyone who employs you – remember your worth. Remain congruent with your values and beliefs; only get involved with and deliver that which matches who you are and what you truly love. Take more time to rest!
Q. OK, you have a magic wand. What would you change in the industry right now?
A. Experienced fit and dance pros would be more highly regarded, valued and paid a living wage, without killing themselves for it. For great instructors to be given a better platform to share their skills with their communities and at more top-quality instructor conventions and events. Fewer pre-packaged products and get rid of social media influencers who have little to no knowledge and poor content, technique and delivery. More value given to self-content-creating independent fitness and dance professionals, rather than deliverers/performers. I’m committed to keeping independent and creative thinking alive in group fitness – there are far fewer of us today.
Q. What keeps you grounded? You have had a hugely successful and varied career, yet you remain humble, passionate and certainly a leader.
A. Well, that’s very kind of you. I recognise and remain connected with the belief that what we do can positively support and guide our clients in their life and wellbeing. Sometimes they might be vulnerable (physically and mentally) – we must be sensitive to this. The power of our work can help people be the best they can be but, if we get it wrong, we can do damage, so it’s remaining connected to the objective of our work, the people we serve, the process, preparing and reflecting diligently, and remaining up to date with current thinking but without blindly following the crowd. I aim to remain connected and congruent with my purpose and values. My mantra is to help people ‘reach for their potential’ and I remember to optimally ‘train the person in front of me on the day they are in front of me, however that might be’! In short, it’s about them not me.
Q. You are known and admired for speaking your truth while being respectful of others. Have you always found this easy? How could you help others find this strength?
A. I have always been that type of person; it’s not always liked or a popular way of being but I can’t be anything other than true to myself and beliefs. I will speak honestly and kindly (no need for it to be one or the other) when asked for my opinion, and remember to run my words through this filter: “Is it true, necessary, kind?” Where there is injustice or poor behaviour or will do harm, then I will speak up! The strength comes from sticking with what we hold true and dear but always be ready to hear others when they state their opinion. Learn how to listen – the best and most successful communication is when both/all parties feel listened to, even when in disagreement.
Q. Who do you most admire or trust, or who do you lean on when you need to?
A. I was poorly last year and my PA Sarah was amazing at stepping up, as were a couple of local teachers, Rachel Webb and Lynne Macrae, plus my best pal Steve Benton. Together they helped to ‘look after the shop’ while I was in hospital and recovering at home. The pandemic brought me and my clients even closer – we really did get each other through that tough time and our loyalty strengthened further. There are so many colleagues I admire for so many different reasons, too many to mention and I don’t want to offend anyone by leaving them out, but former fit pro Alex Rees always has many pearls of wisdom, given succinctly with lots of humour, and is always on the money with her advice!
Q. Where are you hoping you’ll be in five years’ time?
A. Dancing, of course, living my best life, feeling healthy, fit and strong, pretty much doing what I’m doing now (but not quite so much) and, oh yes, being a millionaire, haha!
Helen Carpenter-Waters
Helen is an award-winning, multi discipline Dance, Health, Fitness and Wellness Professional, International Presenter, Lecturer, Public Speaker & Writer. She has a background in professional Dance with many TV & Film credits, still in demand for dance and choreography work today, most recent clients include Disney and the Emily Atak TV show. Helen’s company, DYBO Health & Fitness, provides community fitness, dance and one to one services – including women’s fitness, elite sport, sports therapy, NLP, life coaching and hypnosis. She is the Director of Independance events, inviting guest Presenters to join her mission to deliver original and creative Masterclass excellence. Her Next event is with Guest presenter Jo Ali on 5th October 2024.
