An entrepreneurial mother from South Wales has seized the opportunities of the last 18 months to pivot her lifestyle and reignited a former passion for cheerleading into a new profession.
Kate Freeman, 37, is a former World Champion cheerleader who took a break from the sport to focus on her career and family. She’s now able to share her love of cheer with other women. Kate is the only person qualified and running CHEERFiT classes in the UK for everyone and says, “I offer face to face, online and on-demand classes for all the busy ladies out there to make it as easy as possible to take time for themselves and to work out in a fun and friendly environment.”
The workouts are a combination of cardio, conditioning and sculpting for a full body workout, complete with pom poms, sparkles, smiles and confidence.
In 2021 Kate was certified as a CHEERFiT Captain, to delivering cheer sessions to other women who want to exercise in a fun and supportive environment bringing it to the UK for the first time from the US.
The journey to CHEERFiT captain has been a long one for Kate. She says, “I started in dance about 33 years ago, doing a wide range of disciplines until I found and fell in love with cheer about 20 years ago. With my cheer team we worked hard and achieved UK, British, European and World Champion titles.”
“I graduated and took a break from cheer, as life happens, to start my career, get married and have my gorgeous son. After a chance meeting in a toy store with my cheer coach, I returned to the competitive cheer world in 2019 with Inferno – once a dancer or cheerleader, always a dancer or cheerleader!
“It sparked how much I absolutely loved it. I had a lot of catching up to do after being away from it for many years, but I was determined to turn back the years and through lockdown I discovered CHEERFiT. I loved taking part in live classes online to keep working on my fitness, and the classes are so much fun, the time just flies.
“It’s a great workout for everyone, whether you are a former dancer or cheerleader, busy mum, boss babe or love ‘Cheer’ on Netflix and always fancied cheer, or if you just want a fun way to keep fit. CHEERFiT offers something for everyone.”
The CHEERFIT classes were founded in the US by Danielle Donovan, a wellness and lifestyle pioneer, and has become one of the hottest fitness trends in America, with a growing following in the UK.
The workouts are designed to be fun, giving participants a boost of energy and confidence.
Kate says, “Through lockdown I loved the classes CHEERFiT classes being streamed from America. Being in the UK though, I struggled with the live class times due to the time difference and being a working Mum. I am so passionate about CHEERFiT that when the opportunity came up to become certified, I couldn’t wait to apply and spread love, cheer, and sparkles to the UK, at times and locations which work here.”
“I love supporting people on their fitness journey and beyond, no matter where they are on their path, and building not just the class, but a community. I am so passionate about self-care, building confidence and supporting each other. I love the monthly pep rallies where we meet for coffee after class and catch up. It’s been such a difficult time for so many and it’s fantastic that we can support each through both fitness and life’s journeys and challenges.”
The inspiration for Kate came from wanting a better balance in her own life. She says, “I’ve been there myself – burnt out, juggling work, life, being a wife, being a mum – and self-care drops to the bottom of the to-do list. I wanted something that I could do for the love of it, and that’s what CHEERFiT is for me.
“These classes are more than just a workout. It is a community and a network, where we support and champion each other to achieve our goals in and outside class. In the class we build confidence, sweat out stresses with this feel good workout to get you ready to smash your week!”
Kate hosts face to face Bootcamps in Cardiff, live online sessions through the week and on demand classes, all designed to get Kate’s “fitness squad” energised, motivated and ready for everything life has in store.
