DCG Success Stories

Personal training student Callum Sowter likes to use what he’s learned on his Derby College Group course to help people feel better about themselves. 

Callum, 19, who is taking the level 3 Diploma in Personal Training at Broomfield Hall, wants to encourage others to make healthy lifestyle choices and learn how to exercise safely.  

When he’s not studying, he’s training for an inter-college national fitness competition and will be representing DCG in the semi-finals in March.  

He said: “I used to be quite overweight and sit around playing video games then something changed in me during the pandemic.  

“I started doing little workouts at home and going for walks. Once we were out of lockdown, I signed up for the gym and really fell in love with exercise, especially weight training. I’m a big fan of bench press.  

“I enjoy the cardio and flexibility parts of my course but also like learning about nutrition and diet.  

“That’s helped me with my own nutrition and I can pass on what I know to other people who want to get fitter and healthier.  

“At college we learn about fitness in more depth – such as how to exercise safely without hurting yourself.”  

When he qualifies later this year Callum wants to work as a personal trainer, possibly with a friend from his course. Ultimately, he would like to open a gym under his own brand. 

The national competition he’s in – created in partnership with AoC Sport, Burnley College, The Academy Programme, and JST Compete – challenges students to prove their fitness.  

Competitors had to complete three workouts at their college or local gym last autumn, with top performers like Callum progressing to regional semi-finals and potentially the finals in March/April. 

Callum added: “The competition is more about endurance exercises and muscle strengthening instead of lifting heavy weights so it’s a bit different from what I’m used to. I’m training hard; I’d like to get a place in the finals.”