Features / Fitness
The personal trainer who has created a supportive community for hundreds of women
Aiming to inspire others, a new exhibition in London has been highlighting the personal successes of eight unsung heroes.
Amelia ‘Meels’ Ellery features in the exhibition. She was nominated for providing a network, safe space and support system for people in and around Bristol.
Defying the odds
Meels was an active child and played sports to a high level. She told Bristol24/7 she was once the only girl in an all boys football team. She was then diagnosed with a rare heart condition, Middle Aortic Syndrome, which made it too dangerous for her to continue her sporting pursuits.
is needed now More than ever
As she grew up, Meels realised how important sport and exercise had been to both her physical and mental health. Going against medical advice, she became a personal trainer.
Meels Ellery has overcome a troubling medical diagnosis and online homophobia to become an inspirational figure for hundreds of women
“I started with just one client in my garden. I now have an app with over 200 people on it,” said Meels.
Learning how to build the app, MeelsPT, and how to run retreats has helped her to grow professionally.
However, on a personal level, she says the responsibility of running the community has helped her navigate tougher times. “I had this group of women relying on me. It meant I had to show up and motivate myself. It helped me through a breakup when I needed that support around me,” said Meels.
This support was a key reason why Meels decided to create an online community. It was hard to make friends at the gym. She wanted to create a place for people to exercise and meet.
Creating an LGBTQ+ safe space
Meels’ online platform has become a safe space for many LGBTQ+ people, thanks to Meels speaking openly about her relationship with her girlfriend.
“I understand how important visibility is. I knew I was gay years before I came out. It was through following other social media accounts that normalised being gay that made me feel comfortable to come out,” said Meels.
Portraits of Everyday Heroes aims to inspire others those on their own journeys of growth
Although she does receive some homophobic comments, Meels has also had multiple people reach out to her and tell her that she made them feel comfortable enough to come out themselves.
Meels enjoys showing her day-to-day life online. She said: “People think queerness is this wild, crazy thing where it has to be super different. I want to show me and my girlfriend just going to the gym, or going to do a food shop.”
When Meels first started MeelsPT, she was in a relationship with a man for seven years. She initially shied away from coming out, worried her clients would have an issue with her queerness.
However, since coming out, and being public with her relationship, a LGBTQ+ safe space has organically been created. Meels has noticed a lot more LGBTQ+ people attending her sessions.
She said: “We went for a coffee after a park run and I realised there were more queer women there than straight!”
Portraits of Today’s Everyday Heroes is at the Mash Paddle Brewery, in Bermondsey, London, from February 14 to March 13. Nominees were selected after entry call-outs by protein shake brand, For Goodness Shakes.
To find out more about MeelsPT, follow Meels on Instagram or visit her website.
All photos: David Wren
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