“We honestly believe our lives have been changed by the instructors and fellow BMFers”

In 2012, local lad Gavin Stark, 28, a British Telecoms Engineer, thought he was going on an ordinary second date when Danielle Stewart, 23, also from Perth, suggested they attend a BMF session together. It was the beginning of a beautiful relationship and the couples’ affinity for the outdoor fitness sessions as well as each other has since gone from strength to strength.

Staff nurse, Danielle, started attending BMF sessions in 2009 at the age of 17 to help her with long distance running. Joakim Valsinger, Park Manager of BMF in North Inch Park in Perth, spotted Danielle struggling to run a lap of the park and suggested she gave BMF sessions a try.

Danielle commented: “I was amazed at how much distance I was able to cover during the first class and I had such a laugh with the people I met. I absolutely loved it.” However, vastly improved fitness was not the only thing Danielle found at the sessions when she asked Gavin Stark to join her at BMF as a second date.

The couple had initially been introduced by mutual friends at a BMF social event, where they swapped numbers. They exchanged messages for a few weeks but it wasn’t until Danielle invited Gavin to join her at a BMF session that the two really started to find common ground and hit it off.

Gavin commented: “Doing a BMF session together was a real breath of fresh air; we had so much fun together and have been going ever since. Our friends think we are mad running around the park in the rain and cold, and sometimes even snow, but it’s a great opportunity to challenge each other and we have a good giggle whilst keeping fit.’

The couple have also discovered a newfound love for adrenaline-fuelled obstacle courses. Danielle said: “I have become so much more toned and my fitness is incredible compared to when I joined. We now regularly take part in half marathons, adventure runs and obstacle races. So far, we have completed over 20 obstacle events together and we definitely won’t stop there!”

Both Gavin and Danielle train in the ‘Greens’, the most advanced level at BMF. Gavin, who goes to three sessions a week, said: “Attending BMF sessions has allowed me to gain muscle weight in a more natural way, rather than at a gym where I usually got bored. We both really value how friendly and supportive the BMF instructors are - they often go above and beyond what is expected to ensure we have the best workouts. The whole atmosphere is so welcoming and we have become a family.”

Danielle commented: “BMF has been at the core of our strong and stable relationship and we honestly believe our lives have been changed by the instructors and fellow BMFers, who are all now a solid group of friends. We are looking forward to the future together and are excited to continue our little adventure with BMF at the forefront!”