Carshalton Mum Maria Holley left her career in West End musicals behind to concentrate on her other love - fitness. Now you can get her star treatment too
Maria Holley certainly likes to live in the fast lane, so when she quit her glittering career in West End musicals to have her children it’s no surprise that she didn’t decide to put her feet up!
After amazing years working in London’s top theatres, including playing the lead role, Truly Scrumptious, in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at The London Palladium, Maria decided to dedicate herself to her other passion, personal training.
Theatre life
“I do miss the life of being on stage,” says Maria, Carshalton Mum to Liam, four, and Matthew, two. “But once I had my sons I knew the hours involved working in the Theatre would never be compatible with being a mum. So I decided to relaunch my career as a personal trainer as I love fitness and I have lots of experience choreographing and teaching dancers.”
Maria has recently trained and qualified as a personal trainer and is currently leading a hugely successful class on Saturday mornings in The Grove Park.
“It was great fun working in the Entertainment industry,” says Maria, who has worked with Wayne Sleep, Shirley Bassey and Gary Wilmot, both on stage and in Films and TV. “But since I had Matthew I wanted to do a job that I could do locally so I could see them growing up.”
Making the transition
Maria has also taught theatre and dance at leading performing arts colleges including Mountview Academy for Performing Arts, Guildford School of Acting, Italia Conti and Sylvia Young's, so it was an easy transition from entertainment to fitness.
“I love teaching and motivating so it seemed like a logical progression for me to use these skills to help other people achieve their fitness potential,” says Maria.
Maria now works with a number of clients locally, either one-to-one or in a group, and designs tailored training programmes to help people achieve their fitness goals.
New challenge
It is true that Maria loves a challenge. Her career to date would exhaust most people, but not content with running a successful new career and being a mum to Liam and Matthew, Maria is training for the Three Peaks Challenge for charity where she will be climbing Ben Nevis, Scaffell Pike and Snowdon - in 24 hrs.
Maria recently also took part in the National Lottery's Olympic Park run. This was a five mile run around the Olympic Park, finishing in the stadium track. “It was a ballot,” explains Maria, “and I was one of the lucky 5000 that got a place. I was very excited to get the chance to run around the same track that all the athletes will be running on at the Olympics!”
Your own pace
Maria is currently leading a fun and challenging outdoor fitness session at The Grove Park in Carshalton every Saturday from 10:30am - 11:30am. The class is suitable for all levels of fitness and Maria helps you go at the pace which is best for you. “We focus on cardiovascular endurance, strength and toning,” says Maria. “It's a great way to get in shape for the summer!”
So if you fancy some of Maria’s star treatment, give her a call and find out about her popular class in The Grove Park, or just turn up and join in!
Find out more and read other Carshalton Mums reviews of Maria Holley.
Contact Maria Holley: mariaholley@gmail.com
www.mariaholleyfitness.co.uk
Mob: 07860 144051
This article was first published on www.carshaltonmums.com