The start of a new year is when we think about our lives and how we would like them to change.

For these three women, tapping into their love of sport and keeping fit transformed their careers — and their lives, writes Gill Oliver.

As a high-flying IT manager with a team of people working for her, Jo Bottiglieri appeared to have it all. But when she was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, it completely changed her life.

Jo, 39, explained: “I had what most people thought was a brilliant career and was earning good money. but it was soulless and I was bored stupid.

“I had been thinking about a change of direction for some time, but being diagnosed with cancer was what finally made up my mind.”

Four years ago, Jo had major surgery to remove a tumour in her abdomen then, six months later, was made redundant.

“I am winning the battle with the cancer, but it made me take action with my career and realise that life is too short to be doing something you do not enjoy.

“I’d used a personal trainer in the past and thought ‘I’d love to do that for a living’, but it just didn’t seem possible.”

Being back in an academic situation felt strange at first, she said.

“But although it was hard work learning about anatomy, nutrition and all the other things, I was 110 per cent into what I was doing, and loved it.

“Once I qualified I could not wait to get started. I spent a year as a gym manager to learn the ropes then set up my own personal training and sports therapy company.”

She also runs several bootcamps and an absolute beginners running club.

“Personal training is not just about hammering someone with exercise, and I am not some super-human fitness freak.

“I’m pretty average and it is that quality my clients relate to. People are intimidated by gyms and military-style PE, so I make it my mission to bust all those myths.

“My weight has gone up and down over the years, so I understand the psychological side of it and I hate gyms. I prefer to be in the park and make it fun.

“The best thing is meeting someone with low self-esteem, working with them and watching them blossom and grow. Every day I am left with a good feeling because I know I am making a positive difference to people’s lives.”

For more information about Jo, contact her at: jo@funkfit.co.uk After a five-year career break to be a full-time mum, Joanne Hubbick, was looking for a flexible job that would fit in round her family.

She worked in a bank and later an insurance company. but was a customer services manager at a gym near her home in Thame before leaving to have children.

Joanne, 39, said: “Keeping fit and healthy is something I’ve always enjoyed, so this is the ideal lifestyle to fit in around my 11-year-old Louis and Francesca, who is six.

“I can work from home, choose the hours that suit me and every day is different.”

Joanne had to juggle coursework with childcare, while retraining: “My husband Bill really supported me and, because my youngest was only three then, my mother came to stay during the week to look after the kids.

Now Joanne is up at 5am six mornings a week to do her own training before taking a 6.45am fitness class at Thame Leisure Centre, and she has regular personal training clients.

“My aim is to complete a 40-mile run on my birthday. and there are loads of other things I want to do.

“I see so many people who are in a rut. The mums at the school gates say ‘I wish I had your energy’ but I am not supermum, I eat cakes and biscuits like everyone else.

“It is so rewarding when you see the results. But it is not all about losing weight, it is about achieving your goal and feeling good about yourself.”

For more information about Joanne, contact her at: mail@joannehubbick.co.uk A love of horses and riding was the catalyst for Sally Donegan, 23, to make the leap into a new career.

Growing up near Chipping Norton, Sally spent every spare minute riding and, after leaving school, completed a four-year course in Equine Management at Abingdon and Witney College.

She has spent the past three years working with and breeding dressage horses and now owns three horses, Ruby, Willow and Jasper.

She said: “To be able to keep my horses, I had to work but, after a couple of office jobs, I realised I wasn’t happy being stuck inside all the time.”

Six months ago, she took the plunge and enrolled on a three-month training course to become a personal trainer.

“I have always enjoyed sport and exercise, so it seemed perfect. It also ties in with another course I am doing in sports massage therapy.

“I really enjoyed the training and being with so many people who are passionate about the same thing as me was very motivational.”

Through her own business Sally Donegan Personal Training she trains people in their homes, in parks and other outdoor spaces.

“It is very flexible, so if I need to be with my horses I can be,” she said.

Since qualifying, she has landed a regular spot at the Cotswold Health and Fitness Club in Bourton-on-the-Water and runs circuit and body conditioning classes in Charlbury and Tackley. Now she plans to start evening fitness and jogging groups near Chipping Norton and Eynsham.

“The best thing is working with people. You start to get to know and make friends with them and to see them making progress is just fantastic.”

For more information about Sally, contact her at: sallyspecialeffect@googlemail.com Premier Training, based at the Ozone Fitness club in Oxford, offers health and fitness training diploma courses which include the opportunity to study from home. For more information, visit www.premierglobal.co.uk