JANE DENNISON

How did you first get involved in MileShyClub?

I'm proud to say I started the club on 8th January 2017! Alongside medication and therapy, running was the real game changer that supported me with my mental health. Getting into running on my own though had been really difficult. I kept injuring myself by overtraining and returning to training too soon after injury. I tore my calf at one point and had to walk with a crutch! But when I started running injury free it helped sort my head out so much. I'd run along the canal in Sale and always thought it would make a great route for those starting out for the first time. 

Previous to #MileShy, I'd spent years working in the legal sector - I achieved my 2:1 law degree and worked in legal teams for Pets at Home, Thomas Cook and Eversheds Sutherland. But unknown to a lot of the people I was working with, I'd also got married when I was 18, divorced at 24, a single parent at 21 and had gone through periods of homeless in my teenage years. I spent two weeks in a psychiatric hospital when I was 18 too, under suicide watch for the first 48 hours. I understood what it meant to be lonely and what it meant to be disabled by mental health. I knew there was so much sadness and need in the world and whilst I enjoyed law (and the money!), I knew my destiny was something else. My skillset in law wasn't unique, but my life experiences had been, which put me in a special place to help others. 

I left my law firm job in the August and did something out of my comfort zone and retrained as an aerobics instructor and Level 1 Running Coach. I loved it. I created a few flyers, spread the word on social media and on the first day at the new beginner running club in Sale, 33 people turned up!

What does being CEO with the MileShyClub mean to you?

It means I get to work on strategy and promote the club to a wider audience and encourage new people to join us. I spend lots of time thinking and planning on the direction of the club. As CEO, I am accountable to a trustee board which is a good thing because it shows I'm no longer solely running the club on my own. I’ll approach them with an idea and most of the time, they let me run with it! (no pun intended!)

I did question before taking on the role whether I was the right person for it. I believe I am. But I will always act in the best interests of the club so if one day that changes, I'm ok with that too. 

I volunteer at the running club as a coach and helper between 4 and 7 times a week because I love that part of it too!

Why do you like being involved with the MileShyClub?

It's my family. That's basically it! We look out for each other, support each other and everyone is welcome. Not everyone gets to have a family like that. 

What do you do outside of the MileShyClub?

I was able to leave the day job in April 2023 to take on MileShy full time. My last role was as a Service Manager of a Community Interest Company (CIC) called Beyond Empower which is led by an amazing MD called Ben Andrews - he shares similar values to me which means we're a powerhouse for good! I’m now a Non-Executive Director for Beyond Empower in Legal and Governance. Beyond Empower supports disabled people to lead healthy, active lives - something I’m still passionate about.

I’ve started to deliver a lot more talks around mental health in recent years which is a passion of mine. I get a lot of requests for motivational speaker slots, podcasts and guest presenting. I recently (April 2024) completed a course in stand up comedy and did my first show at the Fierce Bar in Manchester city centre which was absolutely packed! I’ve learnt through all the coaching that bringing humour into health and fitness is a really good way to reach people. Embrace the wobble!

In my spare time(!), I practice as much self-care as possible. I enjoy long dog walks (with coffee), cross stitch projects and took up piano in lockdown, achieving Grade 3! I find writing really therapeutic, and occasionally dabble with poetry, as I think it’s one of the few art forms where you can really express your emotions.

I also have two older teenage daughters at home and an amazing, supportive husband who is surviving the storm with me.

How did you start running?

With an old pair of trainers, a falling down pair of joggers, a heart stopping sports bra and a smidge of self belief. 

What is your greatest achievement or proudest moment with the MileShyClub?

All of it!