| Personal Testimonials for Terry Chiplin
Karen Macleod
4th in Women's Marathon, Commonwealth Games, 1994
13th in Women's Marathon, World Athletic Championships, 1995
I have known Terry for over 20 years; during this time he has always been involved in fitness and health. Over the last decade he has helped me in my build-up to the Commonwealth Games, the World Athletic Championships, and ultimately, the Olympic Games in Atlanta.
Terry is a great motivator; he has a very positive and dynamic attitude. His assistance with my training has been invaluable and I really appreciate his selfless capacity in accompanying me on what can only be described as some quite hellish and arduous long runs in preparation for marathons.
If you want somebody to help you get going, Terry would be an excellent investment
Roger Hopkins
Company Director
Terry Chiplin's corporate and personal approach to health, fitness and diet is positive and refreshing. There is no doubt that the business benefited during the year that he gave regular monthly presentations to my company's staff. In a friendly and informal atmosphere, people who would normally be reluctant to seek guidance (for whatever reason) were able to take on board the benefits of Terry's advice to achieve a healthier lifestyle. This has resulted in many staff members becoming more aware of their fitness and dietary needs, and the knock-on effect of this was a healthier team who appreciated the opportunities provided by these seminars - an excellent return on a comparatively nominal investment.
On a one-to-one basis Terry's expertise, combined with an open and friendly approach, give you confidence that you are in safe, professional hands.
Jason Davies
Sales Consultant
Although working for the same company, I first came to hear of Terry when I saw his "healthy tips" feature in our staff magazine. At 20 stones plus this led me to assume that frankly I didn't have a lot in common with him. We were then asked to sponsor him for the London Marathon. Me and a colleague of mine commented to each other that whilst we didn't particularly know Terry we would sponsor him because there is something about the marathon that makes you think - Yeah, I'd love to do that. As with all these sorts of things it is then dismissed as impossible for a number of very good reasons! I'm not sure if he ever collected that sponsorship money from me, and Terry once again became just a bloke who worked at the other end of the building.In the Spring of 2000 another e-mail was circulated with Terry's name at the top. Assuming it to be the date of another health seminar I did the decent thing and ignored it. Returning to delete it later I noticed it was an offer to everyone to form a team and enter the London marathon of 2001. It is at this point I will start to blame Terry for what was to follow. Even his e-mails were overloaded with energy and it took a fair amount of effort to finally close (not delete) it. It was when his e-mail arrived announcing the team that it started to go wrong - I had a rush of blood, decided this was something I wanted to achieve and sent one back asking if I could join. Ridiculously, bearing in mind my size, he welcomed with me open arms.
It was not long after that I nearly managed a great escape. The chap who was organising everything with Terry (entry forms, hotels, transport, training sessions, to name but a few) left the company advising he would be doing his own thing. This I felt sure was to be the end as it would be far too much for one man to do. That is unless that man is Terry, who went into overdrive, sorting the immediate problems of getting a charity to run for who could guarantee a place for us. This really impressed me as Terry had a place guaranteed and frankly I'm not sure many would have bothered to help.
I started to train in September, and not more than a couple of days would pass without Terry asking for an update. I am by nature a fairly cynical person, but even I was sure that this was genuine interest from someone who really wanted you to do well. Even a thick-skinned bloke like me can get a bit bored of constant jibes from friends & colleagues doubting the chances of me surviving this mission so Terry's positive slant on things became increasingly more welcome.
Team meetings followed and I found Terry's enthusiasm was catching. Training, whilst never enjoyable, became less of an issue with Terry's motivation and with him spoon feeding me with all the advice I needed noticeable improvements were being achieved. He was also instrumental in the drive to get sponsors rolling in.
If one episode illustrates how far Terry was willing to go to motivate and inspire me it was when I asked him to inspect my running shoes. I know for a fact my trainers are not of Olympic standard, they weigh at least 2 stones more than the expensive ones in the shops. Terry enthused that they were what I needed and that he could see from the way that the tread was worn I had a good, even footed running style. Anyone who has ever seen me run knows I run like a duck with severe foot injuries, but for a split second I filled with pride that a proper runner had complimented my style.
I know for a fact that I only got to the start line because of the support, advice and inspiration Terry gave me constantly over a 7 month period. Even sharing a room with him on the eve of the marathon helped keep me calm and focused, because I just copied how Terry was acting. How I got over the finish line is another story, but that evening was the only time I genuinely wished I hadn't met that Chiplin bloke. My athletics career is now over; however, to my amazement I have kept up the training and I am in serious danger of getting fit. Perhaps I've got more in common with Terry than I thought.
I can pay Terry no higher compliment than to say it was important to me that the first two people to shake my hand on completing the marathon were my father, then Terry. The medal hanging in my bedroom will be constant reminder of what he inspired me to achieve.
Tracy Comer
Feature Writer
I really enjoyed working with Terry as he understood what I was trying to achieve and wasn't ridiculously expensive. I wasn't overweight I just wanted to feel toned and fit again, which is something I couldn't seem to achieve on my own.
After working with Terry I felt really healthy and good about my overall fitness and myself. I wish I were still working with him now, as he spurred me on and was always so enthusiastic.
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