Meet The Team

STEVE

Hi, I’m Steve, the founder of Motivate Bootcamp. With over a decade of experience running fitness retreats in the Algarve, I’m passionate about helping women achieve their health and wellness goals in a fun, supportive, and motivating environment.

My background in fitness and weight loss coaching has allowed me to create tailored programs that combine effective workouts, expert guidance, and a positive mindset. Whether it’s through our bootcamps or personalised coaching, my mission is to help you feel stronger, healthier, and more confident—both physically and mentally.

Join me at one of our retreats, and let’s make your fitness journey a truly life-changing experience!

ELLA

Hi, I’m Ella!

Group fitness is one of my absolute favourite things. I love a space full of people moving, testing themselves and having a good time! And for me, the music is a HUGE part of that. Expect a good playlist, probably some singing (sorry) and, yes, I’m a Swiftie…

Outside of teaching, you’ll usually find me running, lifting weights or doing yoga – although I’ll be giving running a miss in Portugal this year while I recover from recent surgery (boohoo).

I’m also a proud cat mum, have a serious love for natas and I’m VERY excited for two weeks of sunshine, movement, good food and good company. Can’t wait to meet you all! ☀️

POLLY

Hello lovely people! I’m Polly, and I can’t wait to be part of your fitness journey.

My fitness career began in Cambodia, where I taught Dance and Kids’ Gymnastics—with the help of a very good translator! After returning to the UK, I became a Level 3 Mat Pilates and POP Pilates instructor, and I absolutely love teaching Pilates at all levels.

I’m also qualified in Exercise to Music and Group Cycle, and I regularly teach Studio Pump, Dance Fitness, Total Body Workout, and Circuits. Group exercise is my happy place, and my goal is to help make it yours too!

See you in Portugal!

ANGIE

Hi, I’m Angie!

I’ve been a dance and fitness professional since 1999, working in the community, schools, and as a trainer for Exercise to Music courses and Sport Leaders UK. I own my own studios in Cornwall, where I run a dance school and a fitness company, and I’m also the founder and Managing Director of a Community Company dedicated to improving health through music and movement. I work on projects supporting people with mental health challenges and medical conditions such as Parkinson’s.

My passion is inspiring people to fall in love with exercise—to appreciate its benefits and feel the incredible impact it has on both body and mind.

I teach a wide range of classes, including Dance, Pump, Pilates, Kettlebells, Boxercise, Spin, Step, HIIT, Pound, Bounce, Circuits, and more. Music is at the heart of everything I do, so my classes are always designed to be fun, energising, and full of feel-good vibes!

I’m thrilled to be a trainer for Motivate Bootcamp in Portugal, where I can share my love for fitness and dance with you. Music, movement, and sunshine—what more could you want!

 

DANIELLE

Hi, I’m Danielle! I’ve worked in fitness for around 8–9 years, and while I love all things fitness, what I love even more is helping people find something they genuinely enjoy.
I’m a big believer that if you enjoy it, you’ll stick to it – there really is something for everyone. Whether that’s lifting weights, classes, running (occasionally… let’s not get carried away 😂), or simply finding a way to move that makes you feel good. And let’s be honest, it’s pretty hard to hate exercise in sunny Portugal! ☀️

You’ll usually find me lifting in the gym or in the studio. My favourite workout is definitely leg day, and I’ve recently dipped my toe into bodybuilding, so naturally that’s now the goal and my whole personality 💁🏼‍♀️

My favourite class to teach is BodyCombat – good tunes, lots of energy and plenty of fun. I’m really looking forward to seeing what everyone takes away from the retreat, especially something they didn’t realise they were capable of.

When I’m not in the gym, I’m probably reading, drinking nice coffee or eating pizza …balance, right? 🍕☕️ Or looking after my two children AKA my cats. They’re very demanding and contribute absolutely nothing towards the household bills. 🐈🐈

I love the slower pace of life in Portugal – being able to stop, take everything in and actually enjoy where you are.
I can’t wait to meet you all, have some fun and get moving in the sunshine! 🇵🇹✨

RACH

As the Swedish massage therapist at our Portugal retreats, I take a holistic approach to recovery, using relaxation techniques to support both body and mind.

My own fitness journey began at 40 during a challenging time in my life, and it completely transformed me. In just five years, I went from being a non-sporty person to running trails and ultra marathons, improving both my physical and mental well-being.

Now, I’m here to support and encourage anyone looking to make positive changes—no matter where they’re starting from!

VICKY

I am the Sports Masseuse at all of the Ladies Portugal retreats. I graduated from the University of Hertfordshire with a BSc (Hon) in Sports Therapy, but my particular passion from the course was the Manual Therapy so I further studied to gain my Sports Therapy UK VTCT Level 4 Sports Massage. Since qualifying I have maintained my own freelance client base as well as working for a tennis club and at various events such as cycling, athletics and yoga retreats.I am also a semi -professional dressage rider and trainer so I am very passionate about healthy eating, fitness and keeping my body as healthy as possible.

GEMMA

Hi, I’m Gemma! I am a dancer and fitness professional, specialising in group exercise. My career in fitness started in UK where I taught many fitness training courses, ran my own community classes, worked with NHS helping people with medical conditions and developed the training programme, Get Movement. I now live in Dubai where I mainly teach yoga, Pilates and aerial classes as well as delivering fitness courses across gyms in Middle east as well as working with private clients. I still compete in Ballroom and Latin American dance. My qualifications include Sports Massage, Personal Training, Pilates, Yoga, Exercise to Music and Water-based exercise as well as barre, Zumba, padwork, kettlebells and more. In Portugal I’ll be here to deliver a variety of classes for you to enjoy in the sun!