Nour joined CTPT after moving to Canterbury from Lebanon, having never stepped foot in a gym before.
Working as a neurologist, life was already busy, and like many people, she wasn’t sure if she would commit. She worried it might feel like a generic gym. She worried she might stand out or not fit in. And deep down, she thought she’d probably just do the 6 weeks and move on.
That didn’t happen.
18 months later, she’s still here, and it’s become part of her life.
From the beginning, she found something different. Not just training, but an environment where she felt comfortable, supported, and able to grow at her own pace. What started as something uncertain quickly became something she prioritised. She plans her days around training, knowing it gives her more energy, not less.
Physically, the changes have been huge.
She can now climb stairs without getting out of breath.
She’s lifting weights, something she never imagined herself doing, and genuinely enjoys it.
She’s building strength, confidence, and capability week by week.
But the biggest shift has been the people.
What she once worried about, not fitting in, has become the reason she stays. The community, the friendships, the feeling of walking into a room where you know people and enjoy being there. It’s not just a gym session, it’s something she looks forward to.
She now describes CTPT as a place where you grow, not just physically, but personally too.
“Community. Growth. Energy.”
“I’d never been to a gym before and didn’t think I would stick to it. I was worried it would feel generic or that I wouldn’t fit in. But from the start it felt different. The people, the environment, the coaching, it all just works. I plan my days around training now because it gives me more energy, not less. I’m doing things I never thought I would, like weight training, and I actually love it. The best part is the community, it feels like coming to see your friends. If you think it’s not for you, you might be surprised like I was.”
— Nour