MEET THE TEAM
Nicola Burrell - Owner/Manager, Senior Fitness Instructor & Senior Jog Leader
(Centre of photo below)
Hi I'm Nic, I'm the one who started off this crazy community we now call the Pink Laydeez! I manage the group and also instruct, jog lead/help actively at sessions on top of my full time job as an Accounts Controller. I couldn't be prouder of what we've evolved to become in the past 6 years - we've grown from around 10 members to over 50, 1 session per week to 3 now and sometimes I am in awe at how!
Relevant Qualifications: Level 2 Gym & ETM Instructor, Level 3 Personal Trainer (Nutrition, Outdoor Exercise, Circuits, Advanced Resistence & Newton Running Workshops included), INSANITY Instructor, JogScotland Jog Leader, Licensed Athletics Coach & Trainee Sports Massage Therapist (Qualified Swedish)
Likes: I actually really love running it gives me such a buzz and it really helps me when I need to escape and just have me time!
Dislikes: Up until recently I didn't like eggs or fish but after doing my own GET FIT WITH NIC plan I quite like them - ha! I really really don't like studying, but unfortunately to get through my sports massage exam I'm just going to have to face it and in the end it will be beneficial to both me and my clients!
What Pink Laydeez means to me: Pink Laydeez has taken over my life...I can't deny it... You come to our sessions and I can tell if it's for you or not before you even can and that's because we are a group of very diverse and unique females! We're not your average fitness group we are more than that - we gasp, sweat, laugh and cry with each other - at any time! We share our experiences with one another, we help each other and nobody is scared to speak up its crazy. I might manage the community and hold it together but the Laydeez within it make it what it is. I have great staff and clients and I respect everyone individually as they are - that goes for anyone past or present. So back to what it means to me - well that's easy it's camaraderie for me!
Dawn Hendry - Communications Champ
Hi my name is Dawn.
I joined the pink laydeez in August 2014 after I had done the moonwalk and wanted another challenge. I had started the couch to 5km program but found it hard to keep motivated by myself. The encouragement I received from the group was overwhelming! In May 2015 I completed my first half marathon (still can't believe I done it!)
So, after all the help I received from the Laydeez, I decided I would become a jog leader/helper to pay the support forward. You will usually find me towards the back of the group encouraging our
Laydeez on to the end of the route every week. I love the energy and banter we have every week, we are not just a running club we are a running family!
Donna Robertson - Senior Jog Leader
Work: Accountant, Lloyds Banking Group
Likes: Running, Circuits, Going to concerts and festivals, Cinema and Netflix
Dislikes: Sit ups, Bran flakes and Celery
I joined Pink Laydee in August 2015 after having my daughter and was looking for a way to get fit and lose weight as well as getting to know the area better as hadn’t long moved to Bonnyrigg. I was a non-runner and wanted to be able to complete a 5k and it had been a few years since I had done any exercise. I had tried a few other couch to 5k groups, but I didn’t feel very welcome and sometimes felt like I was keeping them back. Pink Laydeez was completely different everyone was very supportive and encouraging!
I completed my first 10k in May 2016 and first Half in Sept 16 which I never believed I could do, it was totally due to the encouragement from the ladies and the challenges set by Nic that I began to believe in my abilities. In July 2016 I became a Jog helper/leader to support new members (& Nic) and enable them to meet their goals as I did. I now enjoy many of the classes they don’t feel like hard work as you are spending fun time with the friends I have made since joining this group of Fab ladies. I now have a healthier life style and I’m training for my second marathon which I hope to complete in May 2018.
Lauren Martin - Jog Leader & Senior Fitness Instructor
Looking at family photos made me realise my little boy is now 3 and I can't blame my body fat on him anymore...as I was enjoying my takeaway sitting on the sofa haha!
I needed someone to help me on my journey to lose weight...when I met Nicola my lifestyle changed, I've got a lot more energy and can count on one hand how many take aways I've had since. I've also dropped a dress size in 6 months all thanks to Nicola for putting in the hard work making each class/session different, keeping us "pinks" on our toes, and to my pink family who welcomed me and continue to support each other every time we meet.
My likes; a challenge, exercise, singing (screeching), eating, my amazing family and friends!
My dislikes; not reaching my full potential...I do get a little competative with my left and right foot haha.
Come along to a session and see what you have been missing! I only wish I met the girls sooner!
TP (",)
Sam Louden - Senior Jog Leader & Mental Health Champ
(Right of photo below)
Hi my name is Sam and I joined Pink Laydeez in 2016. Before I started I was not much of a “runner” but after having my little boy I found it difficult to fit in exercise around him and work commitments so running seemed to be something that was easier to work around family life. It turns out that running in a group is much more fun than on your own, especially in a group as supportive as the Pink Laydeez! It is also works really well for me as a stress reliever and has made me more productive at work. Last year I ran my first half marathon and I would never have been able to do this without the encouragement and support from Nic and the Pink Laydeez community. This community is what exercise should be about – encouraging each other to be healthy, reach our goals and have loads of fun!
Elise Rayment - Senior Jog Helper
Hi I’m Elise, a freelance Graphic Designer and mum to two young boys. I joined Pink Ladeez In January 2017 about a year after having my second child. I have always been a keen runner but needed a bit of extra motivation and push to get out and hopefully meet like minded people. Pink ladeez has given me the confidence to get to know the local areas and learn some great new running routes. I have learnt more about fitness, health and wellbeing and I have gained a great support network and friendships along the way. I have even tried classes outside of my comfort zone and loved them. Nic has been brilliant, not only is she someone I can rely on for support and motivation but has become a great friend too.
There is always opportunities for an event or something to train for and there has been many a road trip with lots of laughs along the way. I did not expect to gain such a strong sense of community and friendship.
Pink ladeez is great at encouraging and motivating people of all fitness levels and I love that as a jog leader I can help to be a part of this great community.
Mandy Scott - Senior Fitness Instructor & Senior Jog Leader
Hi, I'm Mandy and I'm a trainee fitness instructor and jog helper with the Pink Laydeez. I joined in January 2020 when a friend recommended Nic as the perfect running coach to guide me towards my first ever marathon. Covid put paid to that plan but in the Pink Laydeez I found such a fabulous community and my involvement within it has grown more than I could ever have imagined.
I've been a solo runner and fitness fanatic for over 20 years with just a full marathon still on my bucket list - 2022 will hopefully tick that box. Just as I was facing redundancy in 2021 from a marketing role I'd had for 19 years, Nic advertised for new fitness instructors and I truly felt the words were speaking directly to me as I was this cross-roads in my life. I'm now close to completing my level 2 qualification in circuits and HIIT and have also recently completed a jog leading course. It's like a dream come true to have taken my passion for fitness to another level thanks to the Pink Laydeez and I'd encourage anyone, no matter what stage you're at on your fitness journey, to give the Pink Laydeez a go - you won't be disappointed!
By day, I'm a marketing manager, married to Ali and mum to Grace and Finlay who all keep me on my toes almost as much as my love of running and exercise.
Naomi Henderson - Jog Leader
Hello all!
I'm Naomi, I joined pink ladies at the end of 2019 as a start to motivate myself to lose weight. Through the pandemic I stuck to running to keep myself san - with the help of the ladies!
Pink ladies has given me the motivation and encouragement to enjoy running. Over the last 2 years I have completed 5 half marathons and one full marathon, about to take up my second marathon (nervous) it's a great place to get fit and meet some really great people!
Vicky Logan - Trainee Jog Leader
Hey!
I’m Vicky, and I didn’t do exercise!
I randomly joined my neighbour on one of her PT sessions with Nic and can honestly say I’ve never looked back!
I started out with couch to 5km and worked my way up, but always running on my own as and when I could fit it in around two young boys.
I joined one of the PL classes and have been going weekly since Aug 2022. I’ve also been doing PT with Nic since then too.
I feel lucky to be part of the Pink Laydeez community - such a lovely bunch of welcoming, friendly, non-judgmental, encouraging women!
I’ve completed a few challenges along the way, did Get Fit with Nic twice and completed my first half marathon in Sept 23.
Now that my boys are a little older, I feel it’s now a good time to give something back, pay it forward and support more laydeez around the community with their own fitness journeys.
It’s been such a journey and so glad I went on that random PT session with my neighbour on a dark wet night in Bonnyrigg park!
Emmie O'Donnell - Jog Leader
Hi, I’m Emmie, and I joined the Pink Laydeez in 2019 when I moved back to Midlothian. Before that, I had been a plodder, jogger, runner? but I had lost my running mojo for a few years. But that all changed when I met the Pink Laydeez.
Nic and the team were so welcoming that I quickly found myself looking forward to my runs again. I had always been a solo runner, but running in a group brought a whole new level of enjoyment, support, and motivation. In 2021, I took on a challenge I never thought possible—I completed an ultramarathon! I can honestly say I would never have considered it without the encouragement of the Pink Laydeez, who celebrate every milestone, from your first run to your biggest goals.
Since joining, I’ve also had a baby girl, and like any parent, my running journey has had its ups and downs. But this community has continued to motivate me to make time for myself and enjoy the social side of running. Now, as a jog leader, I love running with different people, helping them progress, and most importantly, making sure they have fun along the way.
For me, running isn’t just about fitness—it’s about headspace, social connection, and carving out a little time in the day that’s just for me. And I absolutely love it!
Sarah McCall - Jog Leader
Anne Currie - Jog Leader
