John Badley is 75 and lives in the centre of Sandbach. He’s been a member of Everybody Health & Leisure for six years but staying active has long been part of who he is.
After taking early retirement, John spent ten years living in Crete. It was a big change of pace and a well-earned one. But like many people returning to the UK after time away, he found himself needing to rebuild routine and reconnect socially. He wanted somewhere local that felt welcoming, sociable and easy to fit into everyday life.
While John has always enjoyed sport, he wasn’t looking to compete anymore. What mattered most was maintaining his fitness, moving regularly, and doing it in an environment that felt relaxed and friendly rather than pressurised. Joining Everybody gave John a place where he could do exactly that.
John mainly attends the TRAIN sessions, which he enjoys for the all-round approach to fitness. These sessions help him work on strength, movement and general conditioning, all within a supportive and sociable setting. For John, it’s not just about the exercise itself, but the atmosphere, turning up, seeing familiar faces and feeling part of a community.
Sport has always played a big role in John’s life. His main sport was hockey, which kept him active for many years. When that chapter came to an end, he continued running and joined a running club in Liverpool, where he also worked at the time.
Over the years, running became a major personal achievement for John. He completed three London Marathons, alongside countless half marathons, 10Ks and 5Ks. That history still shapes how he approaches activity today, with consistency, enjoyment and an appreciation for what regular movement can bring.
Now, his focus has shifted. Instead of long races and race times, John values sessions that help him stay strong, mobile and active as part of a balanced routine. TRAIN sessions give him the variety and challenge he enjoys, without taking the fun out of it.
John’s plans are refreshingly simple. He wants to keep doing what he enjoys, stay active, and maintain his routine for the long term. Being part of Everybody helps him do that, on his own terms and at his own pace.
Stories like John’s show that there’s no single way to stay active. Everybody Health & Leisure supports people at every stage, whether they’re returning to exercise, maintaining lifelong habits, or simply looking for something social and enjoyable.
From inclusive group fitness sessions like TRAIN, to gyms, swimming, walking sports and social activities, there’s something to suit different needs and interests. With one easy membership, members can access a wide range of activities across welcoming centres, all supported by friendly, qualified teams.
Whatever your background or experience, Everybody Health & Leisure helps make staying active feel achievable, enjoyable and part of everyday life. Because living well, for longer looks different for everybody, and that’s exactly how it should be.