Born and raised in the UK, 45-year-old Julie Willetts has been at the forefront of bringing internationally accredited fitness education to Oman since 2017. But her line of work was not always fitness related. She started her career as an Occupational Therapist in the UK; then decided to turn her passion into a career in Dubai where she began working as a fitness professional in 2004.
After getting her first qualification in Dubai, Julie Willetts worked as a PT and Group Fitness Instructor for several years before shifting gears and focusing on fitness education and standards, working for a large fitness education provider running programs for fitness instructors, personal trainers and group exercise instructors. She then worked as the Standards & Compliance Manager for The Register of Exercise Professionals, UAE, where her role involved ensuring that fitness training in UAE met international standards.
In 2017, she was offered an opportunity to come to Oman to help raise the standards of the fitness industry by setting up the Sultanate’s first internationally accredited fitness education provider – The Wellness Institute (TWI). “I’m happy to be able to bring the opportunity to learn about fitness to the Sultanate. I am proud that TWI has recently been accepted by the Oman Government as an approved provider for fitness education and we will be training Omani fitness professionals with their support,” she said.
Her role at TWI is a challenging one, for the fitness industry is still young in Oman and the field is yet to be considered a worthy career path. Noting that there is steady improvement, she commented, “There are some really good trainers here. There are also high end facilities and new types of fitness facilities which are attracting more people. It is good to see more women having access to better equipped ladies-only facilities.”
She hopes that through her work she can continue to raise the standards of the fitness industry in Oman and offer the local population a sustainable and meaningful career in fitness. “I hope to see more Omani nationals and expats embracing fitness and incorporating it into their lives!”
Up Close & Personal with Julie Willetts
The home I grew up in…
I lived with my parents, brother and dog in the North West of England. We were encouraged to be active and often went walking or played games outside as a family.
When I was a child I wanted to…
Travel the world! I still have a lot of places I want to visit.
The moment that changed me forever…
When I left the UK to become an expat
My greatest inspiration…
My Dad – he is fit and active. He was still doing Kettlebell, HIIT training, cycling and going to the gym regularly until age 70. Sadly, his arthritis has slowed him down but he still works out when he can and keeps active growing fruit and vegetables
My hero…
David Attenborourgh – the awareness he has raised about what we are doing to the planet with our wasteful ways is amazing
If I could change one thing about myself…
To be able to relax more
I dream of…
A world where people take better care of themselves, each other and look after the planet by not being wasteful and using so much plastic
What I see when I look in the mirror…
More lines and wrinkles than I would like… But I am blessed to be happy and healthy
It’s not fashionable, but I like…
Old music – The Eagles
You may not know it but I’m no good at…
Directions; I can enter a room and forget which door I came in from. When travelling, Google Maps is my saviour
If I have time to myself…
I go for a walk to the beach. Being outdoors is my happy place.
My house is…
My sanctuary
My favourite haunt/holiday destination…
I recently travelled to Bali and absolutely loved it. So calm, peaceful, friendly, the nature is beautiful, and the food, outstanding!
My favourite weekend spot in Oman…
When I get time off I like to go the beach or outside Muscat to explore
I will not leave my house without…
My reusable shopping bag, water container and coffee cup. I have a little bag with these along with other items for when I go shopping, such as cloth and paper bags for veggies from the supermarket. I refuse to use single use plastic
Things I like about Oman…
The friendly people, the nature – the beaches, the mountains; and the relaxed pace of life
My success mantra is…
Give it a go anyway, what’s the worst that could happen?
In 10 years’ time, I hope to be…
Still working in the fitness industry, happy, healthy and enjoying life
