BMF: JEL'S STORY #BEBMF

As part of our #BeBMF campaign, showcasing the everyday lives of both BMF members and BMF instructors, this post focusses on an instructor who works in our London parks: Jel (Jeremy) Bearder.

Jel has been with BMF for eight years and truly encapsulates what it takes to be part of our 400-strong team of military fitness experts. Spending a day in the life of Jel was a non-stop experience of puppy-walks, whitewater rafting and BMF classes - all done with a big smile, hearty laugh and passion that knows no bounds. We caught up with Jel to find out more about what makes him tick:

Here's the video:

BMF: What’s your favourite thing about working for BMF?

It's so great to see people go from their first session as a blue 'entry level' bib through to a high red 'intermediate' bib or green 'advanced' level of fitness. When you see someone improving their fitness each week and then begin to even change their general life choices as a result it's just a really great thing to have been a part of.

I’ve got quite a few members who have said they don’t know what they’d do without BMF - a member at Finsbury Park said she didn’t have a life until she started BMF. Other people have said how much it has helped with their mental heath; how it's changed the way they’ve felt and improved their life. We've had marriages too - some people join to get in shape for their wedding, others actually met IN the BMF class and have been together ever since! BMF really does offer so much and it's special to be part of it all.

BMF: Do you have a favourite park?

Yes, it's got to be Finsbury Park because it’s the first park I actually taught at. I'm still working there now and to this day I still enjoy it - it has so much variety.

BMF: Do you have any particular BMF highlights?

Probably getting up on stage in front of 13,000 people to take the warm up at the Royal Parks Foundation half marathon. BMF instructors help to run hundreds of warm ups at events across the country and it's a great feeling to be preparing people to take on an event they've been training for for months.

I’ve also been fortunate enough to train celebrities such as Nick Grimshaw, Emma 'Baby Spice' Bunton, Tess Daly and Al Murray as part of my BMF instructor role.

BMF: What would you say to anyone thinking about joining BMF?

Just come along and try a free class - you’ve got nothing to lose and our instructors and members will make you feel really welcome. We're a BMF family and everyone’s welcome to be part of it!

BMF: What do you think are the three main components for a good BMF class and how do you ensure they happen?

1. They should always be fun
2. Have the right level of intensity and variety
3. Loads of interaction

I plan all my sessions in advance and vary the routes I take through the parks. Our military training helps us to think on our feet, so if I'm suddenly inspired by something I see that's available to use, I'll incorporate it into the class. Similarly I'll work around things like the weather or terrain, so on a really hot day I'll incorporate shade wherever possible but on a perfect evening I'll go to some of the spots I know to have incredible views. Small things like this make a big difference to the members' enjoyment of the session.

We also have some really good training days a few times a year with other BMF instructors so we gather together and share ideas or re-invent an existing model to refresh it.  Most of our parks share some fitness kit too, such as ash poles, tyres, kettle bells and boxing gear so I'll use that a bit - but there's so much you can do with your own body weight or by working in pairs and teams that you don't even need kit for a really good class.

BMF: How has BMF shaped your life?

It made me feel part of something again after leaving the forces. When I'm with the other BMF instructors I'm alongside other ex military personnel, with all the banter and comradeship of the forces.  I get to feel part of something bigger again.

I've always been energetic and enthusiastic, and BMF continues to be an extension of that. I feed off people’s enthusiasm and I get my energy from my members who are always keen to do their best for me.

I just love what I do. How great is it to be able to tell people you have the best job in the world?!