Meet the Team

Michael McAuley

Fitness Instructor & Personal Trainer

Qualifications – Level 2 Fitness Instructor and Level 3 Personal Trainer. First aid trained plus BSC Honours in Police and Criminal Investigation

Training style – Tough and always varied with a touch of aggression when needed

Favourite exercise – Partial to a kettlebell swing

I recently developed a new passion for health and fitness, so you can usually find me in the gym out of my normal working hours or playing 5-a-side football with friends. I’m also spin-qualified, one of my more favourable classes.

The one-to-one relationship with my PT clients is extremely valuable, helping them achieve their goals and their personal targets is hugely rewarding.

Joe Halstead

Fitness Instructor & Personal Trainer

Qualifications – BTEC Level 3 Sport Science, Level 2 Fitness Instructor, Level 3 Personal Trainer

Area of expertise – Body transformation helping clients reach their goals by any means necessary

Training style – Go hard or go home

Favourite exercise – Bicep curls

It has always been a passion of mine to go to the gym and workout, which is where I am most of the time when I’m not at work (or eating).

I have always had a love of playing sports, mainly cricket and football, but fitness and the gym is my main passion.

Having studied Sport Science at College and now working at Oakhill Leisure, I know I have found what I’d like to do in my life and I will be pursuing everything I can out of the industry.

Having transformed my own body, I have the personal experience to help clients that are ready to transform themselves whether it’s through PT’s, the gym or classes.

Georgie Holt

Fitness Instructor & Personal Trainer

Qualifications – Level 2 Fitness Instructor, Level 3 Personal Trainer, NVQ Diploma in Instructing Exercise and Fitness

Training style – Tough but fun with it, nothing too serious

Favourite exercise – Clean and press

I’ve been involved with sports and exercise since I can remember, it has always been a huge passion of mine!

I originally started at Oakhill when I was 16 years old as an apprentice trying to achieve my Level 2 Fitness Instructor Certificate. I achieved this in early 2019 and have been teaching classes ever since, I love getting to know all the members and having a laugh with them too!

Outside of work I play cricket at county level, meet up with my friends and I am also partial to watching a Burnley game…(sorry Rovers fans).

Charlie Ward

Fitness Instructor & Personal Trainer

Qualifications – BSc Sport and Exercise Science (Hons), Level 2 Fitness Instructor, Level 3 Personal Trainer

Area of expertise – Technique enhancement and body transformation

Training style – Educational but tough

Favourite exercise – Traditional Deadlift

Training and physical exercise has always been a hobby of mine and when I’m not training myself, I enjoy helping others to reach their fitness goals no matter how big or small.

Through playing sport myself to studying a health-based degree, I understand how fitness works both physically and mentally and like to apply this knowledge to myself and others on a day-to-day basis.

Eva Borbely

Fitness Instructor & Personal Trainer

Qualifications – First Aid, Exercise to Music Instructor, L2 Group Indoor Cycling, Capoeira and Box Aerobic instructor, Level 2 Gym Instructor, Level 3 Personal Trainer

My job is my passion. I knew from 14 years old that I was going to be a trainer one day. After doing 6 years traditional Kyokushin Karate in Hungary I got my first qualification and I have become unstoppable and obsessed. I also entered into the Fitness Model Category in Hungary which was organised by WBPF Hungary. This competition required lots of determination and self-control.

After I came to England, I passed all of my qualifications again in English as they were not internationally recognised and i’m really proud of this – as it was very challenging doing it in a second language. No matter who you are, where you have come from, you can reach your goals because where there is a will there’s a way and I’m here to help you.

I have been teaching classes for 14 years and I can’t imagine ever doing anything else. My aim is to show people that they can achieve anything with the right attitude, determination and passion.

Elliot Cook

Team Member

Qualifications – Currently Studying A-Level Business, Economics and Geography at Cardinal Newman College

Training style – Work in Progress!

Favourite exercise – Overhead Press

Oakhill Leisure has always been a second home for me and I have loved being a member here for over 2 years.

I have always enjoyed sport and have played football for my local team for many years and have previously been a runner for Blackburn Harriers. Attending the gym has been a big passion of mine and I am looking forward to the future at Oakhill Leisure!

Melanie de Meester

Team Member

Qualifications – BSc (HONS) Psychology and Health Sciences, PGDip Allied Health, Yoga Teacher (RYT200)

Training style – Fun, creative and holistic

Area of expertise – Holistic wellbeing and movement for mental health

Favourite exercise – I love stretching and setting myself varying fitness challenges in the gym – with goals such as climbing the equivalent of the 3 peaks or rowing across the equivalent length of Lake Windermere.

Coming from a mental health perspective, I have always believed in the transformational power of movement and fitness on overall mood and quality of life for all.  

Working at Oakhill gives me the opportunity to work with a fantastic team of trainers as well as being able to support the members and community in achieving a positive and healthy lifestyle.  My biggest motivator is supporting people in overcoming barriers to achieve their health goals. 

Ciaran Bradwell

Team Member

Qualifications – Currently studying a BTEC in Sports and Exercise Science and my Level 2 Fitness Instructor course.

Training style – Yet to be developed… watch this space!

Favourite exercise – Bicep curl

Before starting at Oakhill Leisure, I used to ski race at a national level and travel across the country. In 2017 I was crowned with “English School Ski Champion”. I still enjoy ski racing and try to fit this in when I can.

I have always loved being active and now I can put my passion into my work environment. My job really gives me satisfaction and I’m looking forward to advancing further and learning more about the industry.