A north-east personal trainer has crossed the finishing line and secured a prestigious award.
Diane Forman secured an HND in fitness, health and exercise at North East Scotland College (Nescol).
The 41-year-old, from Peterhead, received her award at the Beach Ballroom in Aberdeen yesterday.
The mother-of-one had her first experience in fitness after leaving school, when she studied at the then Banff and Buchan College.
However after completing an introductory course in sport and recreation she went into full-time work and started a family.
But, after years spent working in retail, she decided to return to her first love.
“I wanted to do something I would enjoy,” she said.
“I knew I would love working in the fitness industry and didn’t want to leave it too late to start working towards that.”
“It was a bit daunting, I initially thought I might be too old and was wondering what on earth I was doing, but eventually settled in.
“There was a lot of travelling to and from Peterhead and I have my son, who’s 12 now, so there was a lot of juggling involved.”
But the hard work paid off for Mrs Forman, who passed her course and was also given a student achievement award.
She even impressed so much on a work placement at Macbi Centre in Mintlaw, that she secured a permanent job working as a trainer.
In the long-term, she hopes to use her qualification to start her own business.
She said: “I think because I’m older I’m different to the usual trainers and some of the clients feel more comfortable with me.”
And Mrs Forman said she hoped other people in her position might be inspired to go back into education.
“Just go for it, you’re never too old. I turned 40 when I was at college, just follow your dreams.”
