1. Before we started working together, where were you at?
Before training with Charlie, I was feeling really demotivated and low. I’d struggled with body dysmorphia in the past and, even after treatment, I still felt uneasy about training and nutrition. I didn’t know how to move forward in a way that felt safe for me. I was stuck in a cycle of labelling food as “good” or “bad” and convincing myself that if I wasn’t training five days a week, I was failing. I knew something had to change.
2. What originally made you reach out to Charlie?
I already knew Charlie from training with him at Union Jab, so I knew he was highly knowledgeable. When I realised he offered training and nutrition plans through CGR Cooke, it felt like the right fit. I trusted that he could give me the support I needed and help me get back to a place where I felt happier in myself.
3. What did the process actually involve for you?
My programme was a mix of gym-based training sessions and office-based “classroom” sessions. It was the perfect combination, practical strength training alongside in-depth education around nutrition. I’d told Charlie I wanted to understand how our bodies use and store fuel so I could quiet the negative food noise in my head. He took that to the next level and gave me what felt like an A‑level in nutrition. I brought a notebook to every session, and the weekly homework kept me accountable and fully engaged.
4. How did you find the process itself?
It was harder than I expected because it required a lot of self-reflection. I had to answer some challenging questions so Charlie could understand how best to help me. But the process gave me more than just knowledge about training and nutrition, it helped me understand myself better and trust my own judgement. Charlie supported me throughout, even when he had to explain things ten times over!
5. What stood out most about Charlie's approach?
The coaching style was a refreshing surprise. When I first reached out, I assumed Charlie would simply put together a gym plan and that would be it. Instead, he created a tailored programme that focused on education as much as training. It wasn’t just about changing my mindset, it was about giving me the knowledge to grow. I still use the things he taught me, and some of his analogies will stay with me forever.
6. What changed as a result of the work?
So much has changed. The gym sessions taught me how to train effectively and with purpose, so the days of spending hours working out and beating myself up if I didn’t are long gone. I’m far more confident in a gym setting now, and I feel equipped to adapt my training and nutrition to suit my lifestyle, not the other way around.
7. Did you achieve what you originally came for?
Definitely. For so long, I thought the solution was more gym sessions, less food, and pushing harder. In reality, what I needed was an education and Charlie recognised that immediately. The classroom sessions were worth their weight in gold, and he made them so enjoyable that I even found myself considering a career in personal training and nutrition.
8. If someone was considering working with Charlie, what would you tell them?
I’d say that Charlie’s coaching style is incredibly diverse, so take the leap and trust the process, but be prepared to put the work in. It isn’t always easy, but it’s absolutely worth it. Charlie is supportive, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in helping you grow. I wouldn’t be where I am now, mentally or physically, without his guidance. Ultimately, you get out what you put in.
