A HIGHWORTH business coach has received a prestigious award in recognition of a unique tutoring programme that sees clients test both their bodies and their minds.

Business performance coach Gail Gibson, 37, was handed the award for Most Innovative Business of the Year by Fairford and Lechlade Business Club at a ceremony in South Cerney.

She saw off 12 other finalists to scoop the top prize and was overwhelmed by the result.

“It feels fantastic to have won,” she said. “I am very proud to have been recognised by the business community in this way.”

Gail’s unique Fit Fresh Focus programme helps professional women and small business owners by helping them grow their business and overcome challenges.

Her coaching sessions, however, come with an added twist: an hour of intense physical exercise. She will take clients power walking or jogging in order to invigorate them with a fresh, determined outlook on life.

She developed the new programme in 2015 and it so far proved a winner.

Gail, who has been a competitive runner for more than 10 years, said: “I love the outdoors and I thought I would combine the two things – business and exercise. I put them together and created an outdoor programme for women.

“When you get outdoors and get some fresh air, it allows you to think differently, and that makes for clear, uncluttered thinking. It’s all about moving their bodies and their minds at the same time.

“It’s something truly unique. I don’t know anyone else in the country who does this.”

Her coaching business has been running since 2005 and she is keen to take things further.

Explaining what a typical session looks like, she said: “We do some basics of couch to 5k. The clients absolutely love the experience. It’s unique.

“When I start it with each client, there is an explanatory session first in which we work out the goals that person wants to achieve. They are encouraged to set short term achievable goals and to jot down their thoughts and reflections with the aim of working on the action plan between each session.”

The programme lasts 12 weeks in which clients take part in one session a fortnight. Included is a good hour of physical activity with meditation time afterwards.

“My focus is to get women into peak health performance for the benefit of themselves and their business,” said an admirably driven Gail.

A spokesman from the Fairford and Lechlade Business Club said: “The judges thought the business concept of combining business and performance coaching with fitness, especially running, was an extremely innovative idea and one that obviously had legs.”

Gail’s website is a rich source of advice and information on all things business related.

To find out more log on to www.gailmgibson.com or email gail@gailmgibson.com.