The Funfit Coaches

Laurinda
Charlotte
Cheryl
Sophie
Cherise

Laurinda's Story

Founder of Funfit and Coach

I’ve lived a lot of life, so it’s hard to know where to start my story.

I grew up like many Kiwi women do – a bit of a tomboy in a sports-mad family. I loved playing sports (especially netball). I was carefree, and it felt good just being me. But somewhere along the way, I lost my way. I first started struggling with body image in my teens, and by the time I was in my 20s I felt like I was always pretending. I wanted to be someone else, because I never felt good enough. I thought that people would love me if I was different. Cooler, smarter, prettier, skinnier. Definitely skinnier.

I wore a lot of masks, and underneath them, I was pretty miserable.

The turning point came when I started listening to myself again (or, perhaps, when I couldn’t ignore myself any longer). I wanted to do something different, and I was naturally drawn to helping other women because I knew all too well the pressure we can put on ourselves. I trained in coaching, neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), and hypnosis, then studied to become a personal trainer so I could offer all-round wellbeing – body and mind.

I loved my work.


And Then Everything Changed

Then, in 2017 my world was turned upside down. I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin Lymphoma (a form of blood cancer) and underwent

six months of chemotherapy before being given the all-clear. I was a survivor, and I had to learn what my ‘new normal’ was going to look like. 

In 2018, I got a job working at Harbour Sport – my dream job, which gave me the ability to once again inspire communities of people to look after themselves and make health a priority.

Then it happened again.

In September 2019, I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (another form of blood cancer). I had to start my healing journey over, with more chemotherapy and a stem-cell transplant. 

Today, I’m a “survivor” once again – and while I’m still healing, inspiring communities of people to be and do better at their own pace remains my passion. Now more than ever, I want to do what I love every day.

 I look forward to meeting you, listening to your journey, and helping you work out “where to next”. 

Charlotte Ewing-Boyd

Head Coach

Personal Trainer Lover of all things fun! Experienced Personal Trainer to you the Cherries! Thump Boxing Instructor, Metafit Coach. A history in Bodybuilding, X-Fit, Triathlon, Netball, Cycling and a keen Golfer! Looking forward to meeting each and every one of you, guiding you through your exciting fitness journey in a safe FUN and supportive manner! Just turn up and we’ll get this party started!

Cheryl Krull

Yoga Coach

Cheryl loves to focus on a holistic yoga practice of movement, meditation and mindfulness that can be embodied both on and off the mat.

She started her journey as a university lecturer and private music tutor and has over20 years teaching experience.

A qualified Hatha yoga teacher and yoga therapist in training.

Cheryl is also a kids yoga instructor and essential oil wellness advocate.

Cheryl's passion is helping others to utilise yoga tools throughout their lives to improve their mental and physical health.

Sophie Rado

Barre & Pilates Coach

Sophie began teaching Yoga in 2009 after years of performing musical theatre professionally in UK, Europe and Nashville USA.  Sophie found yoga really therapeutic for old dance injuries and the ground practice was really helpful after years of moving/living 'life on the road'.

Missing dance though, she certified as a Barre Instructor and went on to teach Barre at the inaugural Studio space in Newmarket, 2013.  

Sophie is fully certified in Yoga, Barre, Pre & Postnatal movement.  After a class with Sophie you will feel a graceful strength ad a calm open mind.


Cherise Pendergrast

Nutritionist

Hello! It seems like I fell into nutrition by accident, when in reality there were a lot of nudges along the path. First off, like a lot of people, I grew up eating whatever I was given or fancied with little thought about anything more than “Is it yummy?”.

 

Then, at age 22, I was diagnosed with Coeliac disease. This is an autoimmune condition where the body thinks gluten protein is toxic and attacks it’s own cells to try and protect itself. I was quite ill and told to stop eating gluten immediately (and for the rest of my life). Cool. ‘What’s gluten?’ I asked. I had no idea.

So, overnight I went from having zero thought about food other than taste and expense to having to learn very quickly what I could and couldn’t eat as my health depended on it. There wasn’t a heap of information and very few people understood it back then.

 

At the time, I was working in the health sector and started to join the dots between food that helped people to recover or stay healthy and food that didn’t. 

Fast forward a few years and one of my children developed eczema as a baby and asthma as a toddler. Not satisfied with just treating with medication, we tried to investigate some things like food triggers and it was hard work and very expensive. 

 

I was so frustrated that something we all do everyday (prepare and eat food) was so hard to get accurate, understandable information to make sense of health conditions and how to improve or prevent them.

That, I guess was the turning point- I wanted to train in nutrition so I could help make sure nutrition information was accurate, accessible and achievable for all. So back to uni I went and I am continuing postgrad study because I love learning and teaching about nutrition so much! 

 

My passion centres around those 3 A’s, helping people make great choices about feeding themselves, their family and friends to enjoy awesome healthy bodies that do what they are supposed to. 

Bess Kilpatrick Mason

Foodie & Nutritionist

I’m a mum of 3, wife, foodie and Nutritionist. I love being a part of wide scale health change + food education. I love to encourage people towards health that is achievable, enjoyable and delicious. I have worked as a nutrition consultant for the past 6 years in New Zealand and been involved in food education + cooking classes prior to this in Australia (Sorry, but I am an Aussie!) I have also done speaking at multiple fitness clubs, health retreats, womens business groups + for The Wellness Room. I have been writing for both a health blog + also for Bauer Media Magazines (Good Health Magazine and Food Magazine) before the sad closure of the media group early 2020 due to Covid19. I am also trained in fitness + barre instructing, I hope to get some challenging Barre workouts going to the Funfit crew! Beyond this my passion extends to women and children in poor + abusive circumstances. I worked in Thailand for a few years with an NGO that rescued children out of sex trafficking. I was in a role providing aftercare to these precious young kids- I started a café and trained these young women in a respectful trade, hospitality. It was a great pleasure to work alongside these young ladies and be a part of their newfound joy- learning to cook well in both Thai + Western cuisine. I love working with women and hope to always be a part of the growth in health, confidence + education. Healthy living shouldn’t be confusing or terrifying! I believe it can be empowering, easy + totally fun too. Can’t wait to meet you all

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Connect with Me

Not sure what is the best option for you? Lets talk

If you want to work with me, I’d love to hear from you!

I’m a little obsessed with the power of conversations. I’ve been interested in women and well-being for a long time now, and in my experience, it’s talking together that really makes the magic happen.

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The 7 Key Foundations

Since surviving cancer, I’ve noticed something pretty serious.

It’s not like I wasn’t aware of it before, since I’ve always been passionate about women and wellbeing. But here’s the thing: When I got sick, it was like a truck running over me. Me, my life, and everything that mattered.

Even with all my knowledge and experience and good intentions, I realised that what mattered to me wasn’t necessarily the stuff I was putting first.

It shouldn’t take a truck to make you prioritise what’s important in life.

Look, I get it. I’m a loving partner, mum and stepmother juggling a fulltime job. I understand how hard it is to balance life’s responsibilities, and feeling like you never have time for “me” – let alone exercise, prepping nutritious food, and mindfulness. It can feel like you just can’t afford to spare the time.

But I also know you can’t afford NOT to spare the time. So I developed the 7 Key Foundations programme to help women find happiness, fulfilment, purpose and a positive relationship with their bodies. It’s a straight-up, BS-free approach to an all-round better life. There’s a number of ways you can participate, from online learning to small groups to one-on-one sessions.

Is The 7 Key Foundations right for you?

 If you’d like to enjoy:

  • Greater balance in your life
  • More confidence and self-esteem
  • Strong, positive connections and friendships
  • Doing something positive for YOU for a change

Get in touch with me today and ask about the 7 Key Foundations.

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