A Year In Review | CFIT 2024 - The Year of Full Time Employment
To say this year has been a rollercoaster? Massive understatement. CFIT has been part of my life for 12 years, but all that time, I’ve also kept a full-time job. Why? Honestly, fear. I never believed in myself enough to think this could be the job. Even though I watched other people living my dream, I told myself I wasn’t a risk taker. That fear held me back for years.
But after a few wrong turns in other jobs—and the growing realisation that I was working hard to make money for other people—something clicked. I felt this fire in my belly to take the leap for myself. Deep down, I knew I’d never let myself fail; I just needed to prove it.
And in 2024, I finally did.
I’m not sure if anyone will even read this blog, but I wanted to write it for me—to capture this moment so I can look back in 10 years and remember what my first year of working full-time for me was really like. Little 10-year-old Catherine would be so proud.
A year in review... CFIT style.
JANUARY
I started January 2024 in part time employment for an apparel company. I knew deep down it wasn't where I needed to be, but I stayed until I couldn't. One day, things went south and I knew I didn't want to work there anymore. My gut told me to get out. I came home that night and cried sore. I handed in my notice that night. So I guess, without even knowing it, I was forced into full time CFIT, in the blink of an eye. BOOM. It was go time (scary!!!). I took this photo of the day (23rd Jan) I called it quits.. It was the start of something magical but in this photo, I was incredibly nervous and had no clue what 2024 had in store.
FEBRUARY
February started off with me still trying to find my feet. I decided to introduce my first in-person class since Covid. I chose to bring Pilates back because I felt there was a small gap in the market. I held my first class on Thursday 8th February. A poignant date. A date that will not only mark my return to in person classes, but the loss of a giant in our community. A gentleman and a gentle man. Gary.
Just a week before, I’d told him I’d quit my job and gone self-employed. He smiled, gave me that reassuring look only Gary could, and said, “Go for it, Cath.”
Now, on those days when the self-doubt creeps in and I wonder if I can do this, I hear his voice in my head. “Go for it, Cath.”
Thanks for always believing in me, Gary.
MARCH
As I continued to fill my diary with one-to-one coaching , CFIT Run Club was building momentum and we had our first run in the diary. We all headed off to Belfast to take part in the Spar 10km St Patrick's Day Run. I'd like to say I enjoyed the run but it was hard (!!) I managed to PB my 10km by finishing in 57 minutes. Time to get that down a little further in 2025 I think!
APRIL
April saw the start of the brighter evenings and better weather. It saw lots of Monday and Tuesday night running, cuddling with my new twin nieces (born March 29th) and Sweat and Swim on Glenariffe Beach. I introduced this concept in 2023, where the online squad get together, off screen and complete a 20 minute workout on the beach, followed by an optional swim. I bring tea (in a teapot, it's the only way) and make homemade energy balls. It really is so simple yet so wholesome and important for connection and community.
MAY
May was one of my busiest months of the year. We had endless PT sessions, running groups and online classes. PFIT and I managed to sneak away to Mallorca for 4 days, where we managed some running in the heat and some well deserved downtime. See our running route around Cala Dor.
JUNE
June saw CFIT turn 12. I posted my 12 lessons in 12 years over on my Instagram. You can go read it here. There's some good ones in there, my favourite one being 'Stay in your own lane. You can't be everything to everyone.'
JULY
We made the CFIT x North Coffee come to life. And boy was it a success. We had over 90 people attend our first event. It included a 3km or 5km run or walk around Cushendall, before heading back to North Coffee's cart for breakfast and coffee. It was so much fun & something I am very proud to have brought to the community alongside James and Mark. I also sponsored the Ruairí Óg Minor hurling tops again; which I am very proud to do for the club.
AUGUST
Ah August, my birthday month a Rathlin Run time... one of my favourite events of the year. We had 25 CFIT Runners take to the island and run the 5km route.. because we're all there for the craic. And there is no craic in the 10 miles of constant hills on Rathlin. A personal win for me, running the 5km in 25 minutes. Delighted! We had such fun on the boat.. we didn't want the party to end. Big shout out to Tom for bringing (and listening to) us. Come behind the scenes and watch what we got up to on Rathlin.
SEPTEMBER
September saw North Coffee and myself partner again. This time to raise money for Chest, Heart and Stroke. We had an incredible turnout once again and raised over £1,400 for the charity. Thanks again to everyone who turned out for this event. It was very special to come together and raise money for an important cause. We captured the day here.
OCTOBER
Ah good old October. The clocks changed, the nights got darker and people's motivation started to leave the building... It was time to ramp things up and keep the CFIT Squad disciplined. We set some new goals in the gym, a step challenge and hosted another run club meet up with North Coffee. This time, we held it in the shop, which meant the weather wasn't a factor. It turns out, we had the most incredible sunrise; making it a run to remember. You can watch the recap here.
NOVEMBER
If you know me, you know I love a challenge and to be busy ALL the time. In November, I continued with a hectic coaching schedule, a trip to London, the 10,000 swing challenge (500 swings for 20 days) and hosting my Fat Loss Made Easy seminar as we prepared for the festive period. I wrote a blog on my 'why' for completing the 10,000 swing challenge. I will certainly do it again in the New Year. You can watch me complete my final 500 swing here.
DECEMBER
December saw 21 Days of Sweat return for the 4th year in a row. Born out of Covid and countless lockdowns, I can't believe it's still going strong. We had close to 100 participants take part and complete 21 workouts in 21 days. It was then followed by some well needed family time and relaxation over Christmas.
