3 minute read
Local Heroes
community Local Heroes...
Fran Flin
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Emily Rogers nominated Fran Flin as a local hero. Emily said: “Prior to the pandemic, Fran played a huge part in bringing our local community together through a vast range of exercise classes for all abilities. Also, allowing us to give back by running annual charity aerobathons, raising much needed funds for worthy causes. Whilst keeping us all physically fit, she’s helped keep our community’s mental health as positive as possible throughout challenging times. Fran genuinely cares for her community and will always find the time to help in any way she can. She really is the epitome of a local hero.”
Congratulations on being nominated as a local hero Fran! How does it feel?
I’m truly touched that Emily would think to nominate me! I’m amazed and surprised and a little nervous to fulfil the brief!
Can you explain a little about your background and how (and why) you started Flin’s Fitness?
I became a firefighter in 1996, and needed to work on my strength and fitness. I started my fitness journey in 1997 and began running community classes. All this as well as my firefighting job and a growing family!
What do you offer clients and how has this expanded or changed over the years?
Back then, it was two classes a week – aerobics! I now run 35+ classes a week, with nine instructors on my team. Since Covid we have developed a strong online community too!
What does a typical working day for you look like?
I am so happy to have some structure to my week after years of shift work! I start work at 6.30am Mon to Fri, with PT and classes filling every day, until 8pm on some days. I absolutely love what I do!
Do you ever have days when you feel like not exercising? How do you cope with that?
There are days, yes. I have always ‘pushed through’ in my work life. Mentally I do what I have to do to get the job done – but physically? I believe you shouldn’t push through when the body is injured… keep moving but don’t overdo it.
You’ve been involved in helping to raise money for local causes. Can you explain more?
We have an Aerobathon which I usually tie in with what’s happening in our community. We did Breast Cancer Care when more than one of our ladies went through breast cancer. One year, one of our people passed away from cancer which was devastating. Her family wanted to support St Christopher’s Hospice, so we supported them for a couple of years.
Have you been involved in anything else community-related locally?
kids later and I was probably the most exhausted I’ve ever been, teaching fitness!
What does community mean to you?
Community is everything and a support system for so many people! You could be having a really awful day, but if someone asks how you are or chats with you, a bad day can be turned into a good one.
What’s new on the horizon?
I’m midway through launching the Flin’s Fitness app at the moment. I also have an online health and fitness program to launch too.
What do you most enjoy about living in the Bromley borough?
I love living in Bromley, where you can access anything you need very easily, but we also have these wonderful green spaces too where I can walk my gorgeous dog!
What message would you like to give people reading this?
You can improve your fitness at any age, at any size and at any level of ability. If you think you hate exercise, then you just haven’t found your ‘thing’ yet! Keep trying different activities – your body, your physical AND your mental health will thank you for it!
Fran with Sue at Time For Flowers
