Helping Our Member with The Most Epic Journey In The World: Ross Sea Antarctica
Celene Pickard re-joined Odyssey Health Club in September 2019 with one very clear goal in mind: to improve her fitness to complete the semi-circumnavigation of Antarctica, a journey of epic proportions.
Celene’s story starts 2 years ago when she was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue, a disorder characterised by extreme fatigue or tiredness that doesn’t go away with rest and can’t be explained by an underlying medical condition.
Celene with Michael Palin on the launch of his recent book ‘Erebus’ paperback in 2019.
“I wanted to lose weight and get fit but couldn’t get anywhere as I was too exhausted, so via a process of elimination and numerous visits to doctors and consultants, I was finally diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue. But I didn’t want to let this stop my journey of improving my overall health.”
What was the turning point that made you join Odyssey?
After speaking with a consultant, she advised that I join a gym and look into a personal package to help ease me into exercise. Having been a previous member, I got in touch with Odyssey Health Club and I’m so glad that I did.
What did you do?
After taking a look around at the impressive facilities, I joined and immediately booked my first induction with Ross Brown and entered into a programme of 3 times per week; one personal training session with Ross, and two sessions of my structured programme using the TGS key.
“Having an initial induction with a fitness coach who understands exactly what I needed was a massive help.”
Why join Odyssey?
Having been a previous a member, and comparing against other clubs, the club has a great atmosphere. The staff are all so professional and polite, and other members make you feel so welcome too. I really like to see that the facilities and class timetable encourages a wide range of age and ability.
How did we help?
Having an initial induction with a fitness coach who understands exactly what I needed was a massive help. We decided to not push too hard initially and to build on the programme over time as my body switched off to training.
IT has been such an amazing revelation to learn actually the amount and variety of exercises there are, especially focusing on key body areas. I cannot get over the volume of different moves and equipment available.
Ross’ knowledge has been a massive help, firstly in establishing my weakness and inability to do anything, and how to then get started without causing strain and exhaustion.
The realisation that building confidence is such a key part in psychologically being able to tackle exercises which I would never have believed I could have done. I’ve built on this week by week, and amazed myself at my progress.
I realise now, that without a gym, and without a PT like Ross, one would never get to know the huge range of moves and equipment used in order to work different muscle groups and parts of the body. This becomes even more critical if you are carrying an injury (I have recently been suffering from a frozen shoulder, hence even more vital to get instruction on how NOT to aggravate that and yet still continue).
I felt really safe in the Personal Trainer’s hands and saw some massive improvements in such a short space of time. I’m now feeling that my heath has improved so much, I’m already thinking about the next two trips.
For this kind of epic voyage, it can be quite demanding on the body; climbing in and out of a Zodiac (an inflatable boat that takes you back and forth from the coast), fighting against the rough seas, trekking through deep snow and across treacherous ice. This really is such a physical challenge.
Why would you recommend us?
If you’re looking for an inviting, welcoming, and very homely club where you don’t feel intimidated then I would highly recommend Odyssey Health Club. The facilities are great, and I also love the extra information the clubs provide around exercise and nutrition, including a really interesting article on Gut Health which helped really turn around my health.
The Ross Sea Voyage is a 32-day odyssey, from New Zealand across the Southern Ocean and Antarctic Circle to 78° S into the mysterious Ross Sea, a mere 720 miles from the South Pole.
Visiting the surviving Huts of the great polar pioneers, Scott and Shackleton and semi-circumnavigating the Great White Continent, along the Ross Ice Shelf and through ice strewn seas that only a few of the bravest souls have ever sailed.
Continuing up the peninsula and along sailing routes established by legendary explorers such as Drake, Darwin and Magellan, to ‘round the Horn’ and the final destination, half a world away, in Patagonia.
This challenge has helped to raise important funds for the Scott Polar Research Institute in Cambridge. Founded 100 years ago in 1920 as a memorial to Captain Robert Falcon Scott and his four companions who died on their return journey from the South Pole in 1912.
The Institute is a world-leading centre for the study of the Arctic and Antarctic, and houses the largest collection of polar artefacts, photographs, library, archive materials and museum.
All are welcome to visit the Polar Museum (free entry) please see: www.spri.cam.ac.uk/museum
Also, all are invited to join the Friends of the Scott Polar Research Institute to help support the vital research and protection of our critically sensitive polar regions. Please visit this link: www.spri.cam.ac.uk/friends/
