Trisha Howells, 59, from Cardiff has always loved keeping fit – in fact she credits her fitness and muscle mass with saving her when she almost died of sepsis.
It was during a spin class at Better Western Leisure Centre in Cardiff that Trisha first experienced extreme pain in her left leg and stomach.
Initially diagnosed with food poisoning by doctors, it soon became clear that something much more serious was going on and two days after those first symptoms, Trisha was rushed to hospital.
“My bowel was badly twisted, and I technically died on the operating table,” she said. “I ended up with two stomas and was in hospital for four weeks.
“No-one knows what caused my sepsis but there’s no doubt in my mind that being fit saved me.”
That was two years ago, and Trisha, who will be sixty in November, spends six days a week at the leisure centre where she is fondly known as ‘Queen of the Gym’.
“Western is my happy place, and I couldn’t wait to get back,” she said. “To start with, that meant just popping in to say hello. Then I was allowed to use the treadmill and now I’m close to achieving the same level of fitness I had before.
“Western’s community saved me – rallying around during my recovery and cheering me on ever since. They’re there for me and I’m here for them. The sense of team spirit is huge.”
Trisha is a qualified personal trainer who has been working out at Western Leisure Centre for more than 12 years. She is affectionately described by staff as a daily presence who brings energy, encouragement and warmth to everyone she meets.
“Returning to the gym wasn’t easy – but Trisha never gave up,” said GLL duty manager Mike Slocombe. “Supported by the GP referral programme and accessible fitness classes, she started small and stayed consistent. Every visit, every step and every class were part of her rebuild – not just physically, but emotionally too.
“Today, Trisha is back to doing what she loves: walking, cycling, cold-water dips and encouraging others to find their own path to wellbeing. She’s also part of the Walking Football team at Western, who recently celebrated a big win at the centre’s first ever tournament.
“Trisha’s journey shows what’s possible when a leisure centre is more than just a building and that’s certainly true of Western. It’s a space where people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities come to feel better, move more and belong.”
