Women on Fire: Carole Caplin

What do you do?

I am first and foremost a correctional exercise specialist, and I also treat people. I either work on people musculoskeletally hands on, or help them to independently resolve pain - and then I get to the job of really getting them in shape.

It’s not just getting fit and losing weight - it’s a little bit meatier than that. It’s really about getting someone to optimal health. It’s really nice, it’s quite different. Not many people do what I do and it is very satisfying. I have absolutely fantastic clientele from all over the world and a lot of people from business and the arts. They are very regular, and I see equal amounts of both men and women, sometimes working with families.

Now I’m the grand old age of 55, I’ve been in the health and fitness world for... Let’s see, oh god that’s scary - at least 35 years! Before then I was a dancer.

Have you always worked in health and fitness?

Whereas most people had a gap year or went travelling, I sort of did that through joining a dance band in the 80’s. There were three or four guys and they were looking for a girl. I just thought ‘I want to do this, I want to dance and I want to do this.’ I dropped out of doing economics, which I loved.

The band I was in, Shock, were a part of the new romantic scene and we were very theatrical. It was a phenomenal time and when I look back on it and I see the pictures and videos, it really was a time to celebrate.

How did the transition from dance to health and fitness happen?

After dancing I went into sales and marketing. I thought that was a really odd experience, but it was really useful. It was when I was doing that, that I immediately started getting people saying to me, ‘Oh I’m in pain,’ or ‘I’ve got a bad back,’ or ‘I’m not very fit,’ and it was very organic.

I was also working with my mum when she was teaching classes - she was the one with the celebrity clients. She was teaching Felicity Kendall and released a record with her called ‘Shape Up and Dance’, which was before videos even came out. She taught Daley Thompson when he was doing the Olympics and she's got a chapter in his book about how she helped him with his injuries.

So it was very much in the family. Mum had an absolutely superb client base - so she was the celebrity girl. I am not the celebrity girl - I'm the business girl. My background is in business, and I love doing my work with business people in my life.

What’s been your biggest success?

Oh gosh! Managing to keep my head above water whilst dealing with major organisations having a pop at me. And I’m so proud of working with a lot of people over the last 35 years to help them be in a better place health-wise and musculoskeletally-wise.

Fame - is it worth it?

No, not in any way, shape or form. It has no place in health and emotional wellbeing. You see people become very, very dislodged by all of that. It is a difficult world to be in. To maintain how you have to look, to look perfect, and then have your laundry aired in public...

It is interesting. I recently went to the funeral of a really dear friend who was a journalist and had been behind the scenes in TV. I saw a lot of people there who I admire and watch on telly, and sort of got starry eyed. But there was almost an air of desperation, and lots of drinking. And then you see the health problems - for example the weight problems that arise out of that nervous desire. I’m very, very glad that I have always been behind the scenes.

My advice to young women searching for fame? I would say that there is life out there and you can be a star in your own world.

Your home is beautiful! What’s been your inspiration?

Although I’ve only just done up my home, I’ve been living here for 20 years. When I first moved here I knew I wanted to refurbish it, but I wanted to have a clear vision, and I needed to save up for some time.

I moved out for eight months, and then it took another year to dot the i’s and cross the t’s. It was truly a labour of love. We’d find something we loved at a very expensive shop and then try and hunt it down for two thirds cheaper. It’s really interesting to see what you can actually create, if you have the patience. I’ve found the most amazing bargains. We found the most creative way of doing it and at the same time had to make sure that the structure and the electrics and the plumbing worked as well.

I do a lot of my work from home and I’ve always wanted to have an environment where people would come in and feel incredibly at home and comfortable.

There is something very clever about these kimonos, you can wear them over anything and dress up any outfit.

Which kimonos are you wearing and why did you choose them?

I think you are drawn to the colours that suit you. I absolutely love the electric blue one with the flowers [Edyn], the gentle flowers and the amazing colours on the kimono and how it can be dressed up. I would actually like to put that on the wall, you know like art, because it really is beautiful. I wanted to play with being in it.

I wore it with some white cut-offs that are so many years old - the belt things are falling off and it’s un-ironable but I love them - and I’m never going to throw them away. I just wanted to wear something over them that made them a little more special.