For the latest episode of Made in Ely, we sat down with Gemma from eMotion Fit to talk about breathwork, personal training, mental health, and why sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is simply stop and breathe.
Like many of our guests, Gemma’s journey into business wasn’t a straight line. After spending 12 years working in the corporate world, she found herself drawn more towards coaching and helping people than spreadsheets and quality assurance. A chance encounter with a local gym led to a passion for fitness, which eventually became a career as a personal trainer.
But breathwork wasn’t always part of the plan.
In fact, Gemma admits she was initially sceptical. Like many people, she assumed it was a little too “woo woo” for her. That changed when she attended an anxiety-focused event and found herself unexpectedly taking part in a short breathwork session.
The result?
For the first time in her adult life, her mind went completely quiet.
That experience sparked a journey of discovery that has now become a major part of her work through eMotion Fit.
More Than Just Breathing
One of the biggest misconceptions around breathwork is that it’s simply about relaxation.
As Gemma explains, it’s often much deeper than that.
Many of us spend our lives carrying stress, anxiety, worries and emotions without ever really processing them. We stay busy, keep moving, and push things aside because there never seems to be the right time to deal with them.
Breathwork creates space to slow down.
For some people, that means finding calm and clarity. For others, it can bring awareness to thoughts, feelings or experiences they’ve been carrying around for years without realising it.
The conversation explored how physical and mental health aren’t separate things at all. They’re closely connected, and the way we think, feel and experience life often shows up physically too.
Breaking Down the Stigma
A particularly powerful part of the episode focused on men’s mental health.
Gemma runs dedicated men’s breathwork sessions and has seen first-hand how transformative they can be. Guests shared their own experiences of attending, admitting they had no idea what to expect and were initially hesitant to book.
What surprised them most wasn’t just the breathwork itself, but the sense of community and openness that emerged during the sessions.
For many men, simply giving themselves permission to stop, reflect and focus on their own wellbeing can be unfamiliar territory.
The feedback from those sessions has been overwhelmingly positive, helping people gain perspective, process emotions and leave feeling noticeably lighter and clearer.
So What Actually Happens?
If you’re imagining whale sounds, incense and chanting, think again.
One of the most enjoyable parts of the conversation was hearing how different Gemma’s sessions are from people’s expectations.
Participants are guided through a simple breathing pattern while listening to carefully curated music playlists that are far more energetic than many would expect. The sessions are designed to feel safe, welcoming and accessible, particularly for people who may never have considered trying breathwork before.
And yes, there may even be a moment involving a good old-fashioned scream.
You’ll have to listen to the episode to find out why.
Building Confidence Through Community
Alongside breathwork and personal training, Gemma is passionate about building connections within the local community.
From group fitness classes and habit coaching to local walks and networking events, much of her work centres around helping people feel supported, connected and less alone.
Like many business owners, she spoke openly about imposter syndrome, self-doubt and the challenges of marketing something that people often need to experience before they truly understand it.
But through word of mouth, community support and a genuine desire to help others, eMotion Fit has continued to grow.
Listen Now
This episode is a fascinating conversation about mental health, emotional wellbeing, fitness, confidence and the power of trying something new.
Whether you’re curious about breathwork, interested in personal development, or simply enjoy hearing the stories behind local businesses, it’s well worth a listen.
You can find Gemma and learn more about eMotion Fit at emotionfit.co.uk, and as always, you can listen to the full Made in Ely episode wherever you get your podcasts.
No responses yet