IN her thirties Clare Livemore's life evolved around getting and taking drugs.

Her life was unravelling and it looked like there was no way out.

Skip to her at age 49 and Clare’s life is unrecognisable. She is the only female calisthenics coach in Essex and is ranked among the top female athletes in the sport in the UK.

Clare runs weekly calisthenics sessions, which incorporate strength training such as squats, push-ups, pull-ups and core exercises, at JD Gyms in Southend and inspires everyone around her to be better and live their healthiest lives.

The story of how she first got into drugs started when she was 18.

“I was smoking things that I shouldn’t when I was 18 and gradually, I got into drugs and cocaine was my choice of drug,” explained Clare.

“My addiction got me into debt, meant I left jobs, and led to me having depression. During my thirties I hit rock bottom a couple of times and had health scares and had depression from it. My days were waiting for the time I could take drugs.”

Echo: Inspiring - Clare's calisthenics class members Inspiring - Clare's calisthenics class members (Image: Clare Livemore)

Clare had a wake up call when she missed a doctors appointment and they called her parent’s phone number when they couldn’t get through to her.

“My mum and dada turned up at my door with the police, they thought I’d finished myself off, which was awful to know that,” said Clare.

“I never thought I would have depression or a drug addiction but it crept up slowly. I feel free now and I want to say to people if I can do it and break from addiction and be healthy they can achieve their goals too.”

Clare went on to turn her life around at 40 by focusing on fitness. And after discovering calisthenics aged 44 she has never looked back.

She won her first calisthenics competition a year after she began training in 2019 and has gone on to compete in big competitions including The Kalos Championship at the Arnold Sport Festival.

“I am proof you can turn your life around and achieve things you never thought possible,” said Clare, who is now 48.

“I now get such a thrill from seeing my clients succeed, they are my walking adverts! I have ladies in their fifties who can now do weighted pull ups, dips and handstands, it’s amazing to see.”

Clare started her business at the end of 2019 and joined the JD Gyms team in Southend in 2021. Memberships is £5 for first month and £19.99 thereafter or £5 per session for Clare's classes. Search Clare Livemore –Personal Training on Facebook.