A dozen GGers got down to some shifty business at Willesden's Old Cop Shop and did some hard time, smashing out a serious plyometics session to boot. Pow Pow!! All in a days work for Brent.

Beautiful scenes down in Brent this week where twelve familiar faces came to pay their dues at our on going mission to regenerate the Old Police Station, into a fabulous community base and artistic Hub. Hurrah!!

With housekeeping done and dusted, it took this swift crew of bandits no time at all to jog the short distance of Walm Lane to the task for the eve, of course with much merriment and catch ups chats along the way. YAY!

Greeting us as always with his usual flair was our fav host colin and all of his magical energy and crazy antics, this week included stopping traffic to achieve the ultimate team pic outside our task base!!

After the matrix style vehicle vanquish, the usual catch up tour got underway and the group were led around the site to be shown the already incredible achievements that had been continuing and ones that we of course had contributed to.

To our delight, the many rooms of the building were now clearing of of debris and rubbish and starting to resemble spaces fit for artists studios and community art education spaces! We were also informed by one of Colin's delightful helpers that there would be a screen printing press available for use in only 2 weeks, so fashion bods in the area too could come and get creative for affordable printer rental prices. Amazing!!!!

After the catch up it was quickly down to the tasks at hand which this week consisted of painting walls and floors which Sabina, Debs, Sean and Tabitha tackled with relish. While the rest of the gang took on a massive shifting operation of the last random bits of debris up in the top rooms.

Just to clarify, when I say random I really am not kidding!!!! There were chairs, boxes, tools, sofas.... Of course there was the odd moment of reflection, where Dinesh and I managed to maximise the fun to be had with a mirror. But for the most part it was game faces on and this motley crew got down to some serious shifty business up and down stairs for 30mins of hard-core graft!!

Holding my breath at one point as I witnessed strongman Simon, although as cool as an icebox, shuffling past me, down 2 flights of stairs with a FRIDGE!!! Forget the gym, that's what I call power-lifting!

After a back breaking 45mins the group reconvened together in the courtyard for some final fitness fun to finish the night.

• Crab Walks
• Tuck Jumps
• Comandos
• Burpees
• Partner pistol squats

Workout complete and were even rewarded with some delicious Colin Specials - His homemade banana shakes, sweetened with the honey made by bees on the roof!!! We were buzzing!! You can't get more organic than that!!

Final farewells wished we turned on our heels and flew back the mile run to base, fuelled by our fruity tooty tastes (but Tabitha trying her hardest to forget the dubious equipment it was made with)

Back home and it was stretch and reflect.... No we didn't steal the mirror! But look back and think of how much we'd really achieved in the Police station. It will be so awesome to see the finished base and delight in seeing our contributing names etched into the memory wall as well!!

See you next time fitness familia!!!

DO GOOD. FEEL GOOD. INSPIRE

It was another incredible effort, when 20 Goodgymers from Brent, pounded pavements, crossed boroughs and gave back some more time in memory of four weeks since the tragedy of the Grenfell Tower fire in West London.

On an incredibly hot and muggy evening in July, we came, we grouped and we began, what turned out to be an epic journey over to Latymer Road Church, to meet up with sister Ruth to see how we could help one more time.

Joining the group this week was many a familiar face and to my delight Dinesh and Simon who had returned for more! Also in the mix were some newbies too, in the shape of; Alex, Amy's little brother.... Keeping in the theme of Brent's family affair and Pete, who upon my arrival was sipping on his vital fuel and pre-workout drink ready to rock the roads... Okay, this may have been a half a pint but it seemed to work as he was quick on his feet, swiftly gaining the nickname -Pistol Pete.

As the team set to work on the first leg of the tour, it becomes clear quite early on that we had some pace splits among our epic crew. Therefore the faster team were sent off ahead with sister sledge at the helm. Unfortunately in their rapid response, 2 were caught short and nearly lost their way - Alex and Amy! But luckily with some quick thinking from big sis Amy and a lot of urban orienteering they found their way back and regrouped upon arrival. Phew!!

After Group two had sped into the evening, we agreed to meet at the Church, which is exactly what we did! Me leading the back-packers and of course having my usual chats and love-in with Pushpa AKA mum! But it wasn't long before we were nipping at the heels of the first pack and meeting with Sadhana at the location, who had joined us straight there.

Met with a much less crowed and quieter site this time around, we took the time to soak up the true gravity of the situation on Latymer Road and read the messages on the walls. This truly brought home, how many lives have been not only lost, but affected by this awful tragedy and just our attendance alone felt like we were supporting the acknowledgement of this unbelievably sad and unnecessary event, one which we hope will never happen again in our lifetimes in London.

After a much needed moment of silence and contemplation, the larger than life character that is Sister Ruth arrived and with not much time left on the clock, she asked two things of us - 1) To help clear some of the older flowers away, making room for the many new ones coming each day and 2) Sing. Of course we obliged both requests and wished whole heartedly that we had more time to help and perhaps had more tunes in our voices, as we weren't up to her high standards sadly.

Even though, we knew we were finishing a late one this eve, the time we had for the tasking was unfortunately at an end and with that, the teams split once more. Some got the tube, some the bus and a handful of adventurers chose to run the last laps with me.

Now there has been many a long run at GG Brent since our inception, but this by far was the most challenging run I've ever personally partaken in! Hot, muggy, sweaty and hilly, but let me tell you, this incredibly courageous crew did not complain. Okay okay - Maybe Dinesh was vowing never to return, but he said that last week too and hey presto here he was once more! pow pow

These warriors, smashed the last of the miles coming into home base with a massive 10k under their belts for good measure!! And with copious amounts of water guzzled, the final few rehydrated and assessed the epic challenges that we had overcome. It felt big, it felt important and we felt like a true team!

Next week the run won't be as far only a few short miles in fact, however I have no doubt that the efforts and energy will match this week, because of course this is GG Brent, a true and wonderful team and everything that comes with it.

See you next time.

DO GOOD. FEEL GOOD. INSPIRE

OMG, is it true? Your damn right it is..... We hit 22! Not just that.... Now hold onto your hat Four Boys did come for some Goodgym fun!!

On a beautifully sunny Monday, we hosted Brent's largest ever familia affair, with a whopping 22 runners, rolling deep to represent the west wing of Goodgym! YIPPEEE And yes you did read that correctly we had not one, not two, not even three, but FOUR marvellous males, holding down the fort for the Brent Brigade. This is a big dealio y'all, because up until now, we've been a largely female populated crew, so to welcome these guys, filled us with delight!

Also in the mix this eve were four fabulous newbie faces: Dinesh, Zara, Simon and Audrey who to their credit threw themselves straight into the old familia faces of the beloved Brent crew, with all the smiles and enthusiasm under the setting the sun!

So after welcomes and housekeeping, we set to stepping the 2 mile dash down to the task for the eve, a Granville day out gardening jobey for our great friends - The Granville Community Kitchens in south kilburn. As we set off it was clear to see, with such great numbers there would be some diversity. Some were fast, some were slightly slower, but everyone running hard to get to the lawnmower!

With Debs and Joe taking on leader of the fast pack roles, there was no stopping the speedy twosome, as they pushed pace and got the front pack to the task in swift time. I led from the back and enjoyed every last chat with my gang of girlies; Mouse, Amy and the fabulous familia clique the Anandas, who as well, to my delight, had brought mum back!! Hurrah!!! Ready to rock the roads and give back for Goodgym looking fresh to death in her floral enemble. Go on Mum!!!

So with crew 2 arriving with me in 30mins flat, we were delighted to enter into an already busy scene. The weeds were being wacked, the plants watered, the holes for compost being dug and the awesome foursome of guys on deck, putting themselves to good use by shifting some Shhhhhhhhhhhshould we move on..... It definitely needed some expert MANoeuvring that MANure!!

While the gang worked their magic, Leslie our host served up some delicious treats! Fresh watermelon and some lovely cold H20 Water way to be treated hey!!!

With 30minutes of hard graft under our belts, the gang didn't stop there. Next up they got to stepping with some fitness drills to finish off the session. Three rounds of plank holds, with various arrangements: Low holds, high holds, hip dips, high to low changes and press up practice thrown in for good measure! Core blimey they were working hard and putting in the real-deal efforts..... I expect nothing less from this team of legends

Last whistle blow and it was sadly time to go. One last pose, because as we all know, I do love a snap of my Goodgym pack.

Last shutterbug of the night achieved and we were off once more, into the eve which was still gloriously light. The speed demons head off like bullets and leading the back-packers once more, we cruised it home with all the good vibes in the west! Snapping selfie pics with pink elephants all the way home.

Back at base and it was stretch and last banter, with The Ananda's mamma telling us of her secrets to youthful looks..... wait for it...... A full bowl of spicy curry before every run!!! Yikes But you should see this woman, like Benjamin Button, getting younger every step she took!! Think I may try that one out, but perhaps a Korma, no warmer?!?!?

BOY OH BOY, What a night, to welcome our blokes in with the female folks. We focussed our run, towards a wonderful cause in Kilburn. Ran four hefty miles all with big smiles. The weather couldn't have been hotter, but no group could be better, than GG Brent, from Goodgym, heaven sent.

See you next time fitness familia!!!

DO GOOD. FEEL GOOD. INSPIRE

Today in solemn contemplation and hearts filled with empathy and love, 13 Goodgym runners from Brent, ran through postcodes and 2 neighbour boroughs, to give what we could and pay respect to the community, survivors and victims of Grenfell Tower.

It was a humbling sight to behold when my eyes fell upon the group I call my GG family who showed up in droves to run 5k to Grenfell. Running to pay respect and give what we could in donations and volunteering.

Lighting our route was the most beautiful of setting suns, which made us smile although our hearts were heavy and with a mission to Avenues Youth Centre on our minds, the run, despite the heat was swift if not a little sweaty.

Arriving at Avenues we were greeted so warmly by the manager Carol and even though this time their volunteer needs were already met, we did make some amazing contacts and perhaps arrange for one or two of our crew to support their future fundraising in the way of running the London marathon..... I just have to figure out how to convince the team to do it.

So turning on our heels again and catching the last of the glows of sun as it set over the beautiful canal, we head towards Latimer Road and the main memorial sight for Grenfell.

Now I am not littering this run report with catchy puns and tom foolery because this was so not what this run was about. We were in solidarity, in mourning and in partnership with every other human being who was and have been there, making the effort, yesterday, today and tomorrow!

In fact, just speaking with the community we understood that they would continue to need massive support for the next few weeks, if not more, especially when the media attentions will surely begin to ease off and they don't want people to forget the need that will be there. So people must continue to reach out for many weeks and months to come.

So with this in mind, we linked up with Sister Ruth, the incredible community leader who was taking charge of organisations, from the church on Latimer Road. We pledged to be back, both as individuals and as a team, because this may not be our borough, but this is our London and we must erase borough lines and postcodes, to show unity, love and understanding. To give back to this significant and life altering community cause and demonstrate we will not stand for how these people have been treated. It must be talked about, it mustn't be forgotten and it cannot happen again!

Our final goodbye was in a song, shared with some of the other mourners and Sister Ruth. We sang together Amazing Grace and as we sang, we lit our candles and said personal and quiet prayers, for all who had been lost and for all those suffering now from this terrible tragedy.

I urge you if you haven't, please go there, because no news article or TV broadcast can convey the true heartbreak of this community in mourning.

Together we stand.

Six runners met on a fabulous Monday summer evening for a short run to the local former Willesden Green police station-cum- future community hub and all-round creative space, followed by a jaunt up to Gladstone Park for a breath-taking relay race!

A smaller group than usual, but no less full of good vibes and energy, Claire was happy to welcome second-timers Jo and Emily, Joe with an 'e', and Brent regulars Liz, Tabitha and Deborah, vying for the 50 good deed black t-shirt, who will be the first...?

We set off down to the High Street with a spring in our step to the task that awaited us - yes that's right, moving old mattresses ready for collection, and stacking up a batch of new ones. There was no sleeping on this job though, we shifted those mattresses quicker than you could say 40 winks and even had time for a cuppa tea.

Meanwhile, out front, Deborah, Tabitha and Jo had set about sprucing up the surroundings, litter picking, weeding and ... oh dear... standing in poo (ever heard of bag it & bin it Brent dog owners?!?). Not one to be a party poo-per (groaaaan!), Tabitha didn't let that take the smile off her face (well, only temporarily!).

With tools packed up and gloves returned, we said our goodbyes and thank you's for the hospitali-tea and ran off towards Gladtstone Park for a tempo relay race, the six were paired up and ran round the bottom of the park in different directions till they met somewhere near the middle, high-fived and changed direction to race back to the start point - competition was fierce and there was only a measley 17 seconds between the first and last finishers, impressive work! We regrouped for a well-deserved stretch out on the grass before heading back to the Queensbury.

Well done everyone! You make Brent Brighter!!!