The energy that Phil offers as a coach, a friend and a human is very rare in an increasingly busy world full of noise, isolation and distraction. His unique ability to listen deeply, without judgement and from a genuine place as an equal, is what draws so many people to him.
First meeting Phil in our local gym, initially training together before undertaking the same PT course, and later being fortunate enough to be trained by him, I found him to be one of the most dedicated, consistent and hardworking people I’ve encountered in a long time. On days when things felt a bit tough and you were reluctant to move a heavy bar, Phil’s calm and reassuring presence often felt as if he was helping lift the weight from your shoulders, even though you didn’t ask him to. He just knew.
Over the last few years, I feel very grateful to be able to call Phil a good friend, and I know when we meet for a wee coffee that the clock inevitably seems to fast-forward. I always feel comfortably held during our chats and that there isn’t a right or wrong thing to say – that the space is truly open. One thing that continually strikes me is that Phil is naturally intentional with his words. He doesn’t talk because he feels he has to fill the space - so when he does speak, it means you really want to listen.
Equally, Phil has a wonderful ability to bring a lightness to any situation, and I’m sure that many of our fellow gym pals would agree that you can recognise his excellent laugh across any room! This skill in oscillating between deeper and more light-hearted approaches further speaks to Phil’s profound emotional intelligence, and knowing exactly how and when to bring his skills to each setting. Those who have the opportunity to work with Phil will undoubtedly find their lives fuller, as I can attest to!