After a successful career in education, Simon Watson combined his passion for teaching with a lifelong interest in fitness. Today, he runs SMU Fitness and Health, supporting adults over 40 to improve their health, confidence and quality of life through exercise and nutrition.
Simon’s professional journey has taken him through several careers. After serving in the military police, he followed his lifelong ambition to become a teacher, spending 14 years in education and progressing to deputy head and acting headteacher roles.
While he enjoyed teaching and leadership, Simon wanted to take his skills in a new direction. Combining his passion for helping people learn with a growing interest in health and fitness, he decided to retrain and build a career where he could make a direct impact on people’s wellbeing.
After researching training providers, Simon chose Future Fit because of the support, flexibility and recognised nutrition qualifications available alongside personal training. The combination of online learning, practical workshops and ongoing tutor support allowed him to study around his existing commitments while gaining confidence in a completely new profession.
Having spent years as a runner, Simon initially had little experience of strength training. Through his studies, he developed a deeper understanding of resistance training and nutrition, completing his Level 3 Personal Training and Nutrition qualifications before progressing to Level 4, further expanding his expertise.
Today, Simon works with adults aged 40 and over through his business, SMU Fitness and Health. He specialises in supporting people who may feel intimidated by traditional gym environments, helping them build strength, confidence and healthier habits through tailored one-to-one coaching, both in person and online.
A particular area of focus is menopause coaching. Inspired by conversations with former colleagues in education, Simon became a Certified Menopause Coach and now supports women navigating the physical and emotional challenges that can come with this stage of life. Looking ahead, he plans to continue developing his nutrition services and expand the ways he can support clients through evidence-based fitness and lifestyle coaching.
Every Future Fit graduate has access to Career Ready – structured career education, employer connections, exclusive recruitment events and a professional community, running alongside your studies from day one.
I completely felt thoroughly supported all the way through. If you needed any help, there was somebody at the end of the phone, and the practical workshops brought all the theory to life.
Simon Watson
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