'10 Minute Tip' by Lindsey Charlesworth - Fitness and Wellbeing Expert - 7am until 9:30am
Lindsey Charlesworth, founder of Clarity People, is an experienced HR Director, executive coach, qualified group fitness instructor, and wellbeing specialist who is combining a lifetime of expertise in health, coaching, and people development to bring accessible health and wellbeing back to Milton Keynes through Weekday Walkers and her Walking with Poles classes.
Lindsey’s professional journey began in health and fitness. Between 1991 and 2010, she was a leading figure in the Milton Keynes fitness scene, running over 30 group exercise classes each week. She taught aerobics, step aerobics, bums, tums and thighs, and spin classes, supporting hundreds of people to improve their fitness, confidence, and overall wellbeing.
During this time, she was a committed member of Fitness Professionals and served as their local representative for Buckinghamshire, a role that reflected both her leadership and passion for the industry. Her commitment was so strong that she famously had the Fitness Professionals logo tattooed on her shoulder in 1992, a lasting symbol of fitness as a core part of her identity.
As Lindsey’s work in fitness deepened, so did her interest in people beyond physical health. Wanting to support individuals more holistically, she qualified as a Life Coach in 2009, marking a natural progression from fitness instruction into personal development, mindset, and behaviour change. This growing focus on helping people thrive led her into people management and organisational leadership.
Lindsey went on to complete a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management and later achieved her ILM Level 7 Certificate in Executive Coaching and Mentoring. In senior HR Director roles, she has supported leaders, teams, and organisations to get the very best from their people, guiding them through growth, change, and the realities of modern working life.
Today, Lindsey’s life and career reflect a clear and consistent path: fitness first, then people management and coaching and now a powerful combination of all three. Through Weekday Walkers, she creates inclusive walking opportunities designed around working lives, while her Walking with Poles classes introduce total body walking as a highly effective, low-impact way to improve physical health, posture, confidence, and mental wellbeing.
Lindsey’s approach is practical, empathetic, and grounded in real experience. She understands the pressures faced by busy professionals, business owners, and community members, and designs wellbeing experiences that are sustainable, supportive, and accessible.
In 2025, Lindsey ran the London Marathon, living proof that age is no barrier to health, fitness, or ambition. She brings this belief into everything she does, inspiring others to reconnect with their health, rediscover confidence in their bodies, and believe in what is possible at every stage of life.Through coaching, walking, and movement, Lindsey is on a mission to support healthier, happier, and more resilient people across Milton Keynes, one step at a time.
About the conversation:
Why Walking with Poles will change your life!
Myths about walking with poles
That a pole is a pole is a pole………… they need to be the right height for you
That they are for old people to help them feel stable – that is a walking stick!
They make walking easier – wrong!
That it is easy and that you are as co-ordinated as you think you are – you have to learn to walk correctly with poles
Why walk with poles?
Walking is naturally one of the best ways to exercise and easier to fit into daily life.
The benefits of being active daily are well known and there is increasing evidence that being outdoors in fresh air and engaging in nature is a powerful way to improve general wellbeing.Using poles you engage the core muscles with every step which will improve posture, stand taller, improve gait and balance which enables other muscles to work effectively and will help relieve back stiffness.
You will feel lighter on your feet and take the weight off your knees and hips.
You will tone the arms and shoulders.
You will improve your walking pace and power.
You will increase calories burned with each step to aid weight loss.
You will improve your cardiovascular fitness, tone your legs and buttocks
and turn every walk into an effective workout.
Being outdoors will help improve mood, breathe fresh air and get your dose of Vitamin D.
The statistics and facts
Walking without poles uses 50% of major muscle groups compared to 90% of major muscles with poles.
With poles you burn 20 – 46% more calories at the same pace compared to without poles. It is more metabolically demanding.
Joint load and impact is redistributed through the arms reducing low body joint stress making walks more comfortable, especially on longer or hilly routes.
Research suggests faster walking times and longer stride with poles in some settings.
The poles help propel you forward, increasing pace and efficiency.
Poles can improve walking efficiency and pace without extra perceived effort!
Walking creates space to think strategically, not just reactively so is ideal for small business owners. Walking increases the blood flow to the brain, supporting focus, problem-solving and creative thinking. Stepping away from the screen reduces cognitive overload and mental fatigue as well. It lowers cortisol levels and helps regulate the nervous system. Regular walking reduces the risk of long-term health issues that can disrupt business continuity, essential for small business owners.
Walking boosts circulation and oxygen delivery, improving natural energy. It can reduce afternoon fatigue without relying on caffeine. Regular movement helps regulate sleep patterns, improving recovery.
Walking encourages reflective thinking and perspective. It’s an ideal time to consider goals, priorities, and next steps. Many leaders use walking to plan, review performance, or rehearse difficult conversations.
Walking meetings can feel more relaxed and open than sitting across a table. Side-by-side movement can improve communication and trust. Walking with peers reduces isolation common among business owners. Walking supports connection as well as productivity.
