I am a past recipient of my very own ‘Earn Your Wings’ Muscle Flying Experience and now a proud Muscle Ambassador. I also work part time in a book shop, which is heaven to a girl like me who loves nothing more than to bury herself in a good book with a cup of chamomile tea.
I have a very large family whom I love dearly but unfortunately I don’t have the word count to mention them all here! My immediate family, however, consists of my Mum, Dad, two sisters (one older and one younger, yes I suffer from middle child syndrome!) and my niece.
I have been described as many things in my life but the one I am most proud of is Authentic. I pride myself on being the person I want to be, I don’t hide from who I am, I love making people laugh, I’m a self-confessed geek who loves Harry Potter, The Sims, my PlayStation and … well anything nerdy.
I try my best to make new memories every day no matter how small and I am, something I have learnt from Michael… Living in the moment!
I am happy, loving life (even with isolating and being stuck indoors 20 hours a day) and now I am lucky enough to support those charities and people that helped get me where I am today.
Leah at her Flying Muscle Dream
I was recovering from a recent breakdown and had become withdrawn, angry, confused, and I felt like there was no light at the end of the tunnel. My sister made me realise I had nothing to lose by applying but I had to potential to gain an amazing experience.
When I first received the phone call from Michael to say my application was successful, I thought it was a hoax that I had been chosen, I definitely didn’t realise how much of an impact the Flying Muscle Dream would have on my future, not only with the charity but personally too. So in September 2015 I went to Farnborough, met the team, the volunteers, the infamous Michael himself and the other Dream winners and flew a plane! My Muscle Help Foundation ‘Earn Your Wings’ flying experience catapulted my life into a new direction, gave me a sense of confidence I didn’t know I had and gave me a new vision of a brighter future.
Leah & her parents with Michael & Sue McGrath
Michael and the charity have been there for me ever since that first day back in 2015. They are there for so much more than just my Muscle Dream, they are there for someone to talk to, build memories with and to help me see my true potential in life. The Muscle Warrior family have given me the experiences I needed to realise that nothing is impossible, you just have to put some muscle behind it! And now I’m honoured to be a Muscle Warrior Ambassador for the very charity that helped shape my future.
Leah & Naomi on holiday with their families
I distinctly remember when it came to leaving that weekend, I know it seems weird that leaving should be my favourite memory but it was because it didn’t feel like leaving at all, we all hugged and said our goodbyes but it didn’t feel like that, it was more of ‘till next time’.
We were brought together as strangers and left as family. Me and Naomi still speak every day, spent time at each other’s homes and even been on holiday to Lanzarote together! All thanks to being a Muscle Warrior!
Leah with Jonny Peacock at a charity event
Also…enjoy the simple things, live in the moment and remember what it felt like during your muscle dream, try to embrace that in everyday life.
And lastly (see I simply can’t shush) remember that all experiences: big, small, positive and negative have an impact on your life and make you who you are, own those experiences, grow and learn from them and mostly have fun while doing them!