Our Cardiac Rehabilitation Exercise Instructors
Maja Baraskiewicz
Maja joined us in September 2022 and has spent the past 20 years working in health and fitness, both here in the UK and abroad. Maja completed her cardiac exercise instructor training in 2019 through the British Association for Cardiovascular Prevention & Rehabilitation (BACPR). She qualified with distinction and is passionate about helping our members regain their fitness and confidence through exercise.
And when she’s not teaching our Monmouth and Monday Llanfoist classes, Maja works as an advanced fitness instructor, Pilates teacher and personal coach.
“I’ve worked across a range of disciplines during my career, but the Cardiac Rehabilitation classes are something special: I love the way that members support and look after each other and how everyone becomes friends. It’s definitely more than just a fitness class.”
Tel: 07852 676 333
Tom Stone
Tom is part of the Aneurin Bevan Cardiac Rehab Team. He started his career as a sports coach in 2010 and is accredited as a cardiac exercise instructor through the British Association for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation (BACPR).
He gained his MSc in Strength and Conditioning in 2022 and is qualified to work in multiple other exercise referral settings including falls prevention and pulmonary rehabilitation.
Tom teaches our Saturday classes at Llanfoist and has a real passion for cardiac rehab and the benefits it can bring.
“I really enjoy watching members progress. As they improve physically, you can see it having a positive impact in other ways: people start to open up and become more sociable. And that’s such an important part of people’s recovery and ongoing mental health.”
Tel: 07791 377 788
tom@madeofstone.fitness
Callum Simmonds
Callum graduated from the University of Worcester in 2019 with a degree in Sports Science BSc (Hons). He used the Covid lockdowns of 2020 to qualify as a cardiac exercise instructor through the British Association for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation (BACPR), and joined our team in 2021.
He currently teaches our Tredegar, Nantyglo, Ebbw Vale and Blaenavon classes on a Wednesday. And for the rest of the week, Callum works for the NHS as a member of the Gloucestershire Cardiac Rehabilitation Service.
“It’s been great helping members get back to regular classes following Covid. You can see the improvement in people’s fitness, and it’s good to see how much members enjoy the social aspect of the classes, too.”
Tel: 07491 398 877
callumsimmonds888@gmail.com
Helen Sanchez
Helen has recently rejoined us as an exercise instructor. Previously she worked for us teaching phase 4 classes for 20 years, and for the NHS in phase 3 for 10 years.
Helen gained her cardiac instructor qualification in 2003 through the British Association for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation (BACPR) and currently teaches our Tuesday Usk and Abertillery classes.
She is also an Exercise Referral instructor, with level 4 qualifications in Exercise for Mental Health Conditions, Pulmonary Rehabilitation, and Cancer Rehabilitation. And she teaches Aqua Aerobics, too.
“Teaching rehabilitation classes is very rewarding and inspiring. Exercise can help all aspects of people’s lives – physically, mentally and socially. It’s wonderful to see people recover so well and continue to exercise at the classes.”
Tel: 07468 241 840
Our Class Assistants
Allen Cleveland
Allen joined our classes in his early 60s, following a heart attack and subsequent bypass.
When a Class Assistant post became vacant in 2005, shortly after he retired, he jumped at the chance to get more involved with the Charity.
Now in his 80s, Allen attributes his continuing good health to regular exercise and considers himself to be a prime example of the value of Cardiac Rehab.
Owen Webber
Owen joined the team after a health scare in 2007, which saw him come through the hospital cardiac rehab programme and progress to the Charity’s community-based exercise classes.
Owen felt he’d really benefited from the classes, and, wanting to give something back, joined our Fundraising Committee and then took on our second Class Assistant’s role.
Owen also runs our quarterly 200+Club fundraising draw.
