Meet the Women of Nuffield Health - Zahra Sefiani

Can you tell us about your role at Nuffield Health?

I have worked for Nuffield Health for over 11 years and have worked in many different roles from Fitness and Wellbeing Advisor to Group Exercise Manager and Personal Trainer. I am currently Fitness and Wellbeing Manager at one of the corporate Fitness and Wellbeing centres where I have worked for the last 4 and a half years.

My main passion within all my roles is my love for Group Exercise. I work to deliver a range of group exercise classes to the best of my ability to make them fun and effective for all those taking part. I am also an active Personal Trainer, line manager and have been working to deliver a remote wellbeing programme to our corporate clients during the Covid-19 pandemic. I have also been involved with the Nuffield Health 24/7 online digital platform where I have filmed over 35 classes.

Alongside that I am currently working as a Rehabilitation Specialist for the COVID-19 Employee Rehabilitation Programme. I am very lucky that I have such a diverse and interesting role within Nuffield Health which allows me to help as many people as possible in their health and wellbeing journey.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

To me it is a chance to showcase and highlight some of the great achievements made by women. With everyone living such busy lives it is nice to be able to have a day dedicated to achievements made by women so we can really take the time to appreciate these achievements and showcase to young women growing up what it means.

What do you think is the biggest challenge for women today and what has been your biggest challenge?

A lot has changed over the years and more and more women are being recognised every day for the amazing achievements they have done and the role models they are becoming for young people. Focusing on the health and fitness industry, a challenge which I think is still around and influences a lot of young girls, especially due to the craze of social media is this image for women to have to be skinny and thin instead of creating a healthy and nutritious life by using exercise and nutrition to build strength and muscle.

My biggest challenge personally has been wanting to make sure I do the best job I can but not always believing that I can. As I have grown and developed as a person throughout my Nuffield Health career, I can say my self-belief has improved and I want to continue achieving as much as I can within Nuffield Health as my career continues.

Which woman has inspired you and why?

I can’t just choose one woman, I would have to say all my amazing friends and family who inspire me every day to be me, who give me their support and advice in difficult situations, make me laugh and are a shoulder to cry on. They have helped me be the person I am today. 

Last updated Thursday 4 March 2021

First published on Thursday 4 March 2021