How post natal depression changed Debbie’s career path

When post natal depression (PND) followed the birth of her second child, Newport-born Debbie Gliniany turned to exercise to help her recover. Seven years later, she is about to open her first women’s well-being and fitness studio at Mamhilad Park Estate where babies and toddlers can come too.

Having worked in tourism – as a holiday rep in Ibiza – and retail – as the manager of Ann Summers in Cwmbran then for Tiger as a trainer – Debbie says she struggled after the birth of her son, Arthur, now eight.

“After he was born, I rushed back to work within two months, thinking that having two children was simply beyond me,” she explained.

“When the penny dropped that, actually, it wasn’t that I couldn’t cope or was a bad mum, I realised was suffering with post natal depression. I read that exercise was really beneficial for PND and decided to brave the gym for the first time in a very long time. It really helped my mental health, but I also realised that fitting sessions around childcare was extremely difficult.”

It was around this time that the Tiger partnership was sold and Debbie was made redundant, while her ex-military husband was retraining as a teacher. She decided to train as a fitness instructor and, by January 2020, had begun running an exercise franchise for new mums, which she loved, soon running classes first online, then outside during lockdown.

“The community that we formed together, these new mums and I, was a revelation,” said Debbie, who now lives in Cwmbran with husband, Robbie, daughter, Maggie, 11 and Arthur.

“These mothers – especially the first-timers – were feeling completely isolated and our fitness community became a lifeline for them, meeting online and in the park to do socially-distanced postnatal fitness, alongside the prams! It was like a village – and lit a fire in me to keep that spirit and connection at the heart of everything I do!”

In August 2021, Debbie launched her own business, Mamau Ffit and hasn’t looked back, with many of those original mums still among her clients.

She travels around Torfaen, Newport and Monmouthshire with gym and play equipment in a van, to run women-only, circuit-based fitness classes where the kids come along too, in various local community centres.

“I set up a play area for the little ones in the centre, with the mums doing their fitness class around the outside,” explains Debbie.

This month (March), she is launching a fully equipped women’s fitness studio with classes suitable for all levels – and not just for expectant and new mums.

“I am now catering for all stages of women’s health as the challenges that we face only increase as we age. I am tailoring fitness for women at all stages – for example, perimenopause and menopause – so I can provide continuity of care to my clients and they stay connected to their fitness regime. I tell them I want to help them run around after their grandchildren as well as their children!”

Debbie says that new mums will always have a special place at the studio in Brecon House on Mamhilad Park Estate, which has a designated space and equipment for children to play while Mum works out.

Mamau Ffit is the latest health and wellness business to open at the estate, which also has its own Wellbeing Hub. This community is just one of the reasons Debbie decided to locate her studio here.

“There are so many health and fitness businesses I can collaborate with here, which is really exciting,” she said.

“Business-wise, it made sense. Now that I have my own studio, lots of free parking and secure access I can offer a better, safer space for my clients and many more classes as I’m no longer travelling between venues.”

Wellness businesses at Mamhilad Park Estate

Over the past year, the number of health and wellbeing businesses at Mamhilad Park Estate has continued to grow, with more than 20 now based at the park.

There is a dedicated Wellbeing Hub in Mamhilad House as well as several physical and mental health businesses based throughout the wider, 140-acre estate. These include various psychotherapy and counselling services; a chiropractic clinic; skin aesthetics and beauty clinics; specialist women’s wellbeing, remedial and healing services; physiotherapy services; Pilates and fitness studios; a cross-fit gym and a floatation therapy business.

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