Be Yourself and Back Yourself – Career Lessons from Catherine Ferma
Great leadership is about more than just driving performance—it’s about developing people, fostering authenticity, and creating environments where teams thrive. Catherine Ferma, Operations Director at The Gym Group, has spent her career mastering all three.
From her early days as a personal trainer to leading large teams across multiple industries, Catherine Ferma has built her career on resilience, directness, and a deep belief in the power of people. Whether she’s guiding individuals through internal promotions, mentoring future leaders, or shaping company culture, her approach is clear, honest, and rooted in care.
On the Love Your Career Podcast, hosted by Lawrence Everest, Catherine Ferma shared her career story, leadership philosophy, and advice for job seekers. Whether you’re looking to progress, transition, or step into leadership, her insights are packed with value.
1. You Don’t Have to Have It All Figured Out
Catherine Ferma never had a long-term career plan—but that didn’t stop her from building an impressive career.
📌 She fell into the fitness industry after university, starting as a personal trainer and instructor.
📌 Over time, she moved into management and quickly progressed to General Manager at just 25.
📌 Since then, she has worked in fitness, beauty, football, golf, hotels, and health clubs, proving that skills are transferable across industries.
💡 “It’s okay not to know exactly where you’re going—but keep learning, keep growing, and opportunities will come.”
For job seekers, this means: Stay open to new industries and roles—you never know where the best opportunities will come from.
2. Taking the Leap Can Be the Best Decision You Make
One of Catherine Ferma’s best career moves? Leaving a job she had been in for 15 years.
📌 She loved her time at Esporta, but after over a decade, she knew it was time for a new challenge.
📌 Moving to the beauty industry was a big change, but it taught her new skills in PR, marketing, and strategy—all of which helped her in later leadership roles.
💡 “I realised I was working 6 or 7 days a week, barely seeing life outside of work. It was time to try something new.”
For job seekers, this means: If you feel stuck or uninspired, don’t be afraid to explore new industries—growth comes from stepping outside your comfort zone.
3. Be Bold – Put Yourself Forward for Opportunities
One of Catherine Ferma’s biggest career lessons is not waiting for opportunities to come to you.
📌 Early in her career, she watched others get promoted simply because they applied, even when they weren’t necessarily the best candidates.
📌 She learned that you have to put yourself forward—otherwise, you might get overlooked.
💡 “I got my first big promotion because I applied when others assumed they wouldn’t get it. If you don’t apply, you won’t get the job.”
For job seekers, this means: Don’t wait to be tapped on the shoulder—take control of your own career progression.
4. Internal Progression Requires Strategy
If you’re looking to progress within your company, Catherine Ferma recommends a three-part approach:
✅ Ask for feedback. If you don’t get a promotion, find out why—and use that feedback to improve.
✅ Seek out experts. Watch and learn from people in your company who are great at what they do.
✅ Put yourself forward. Apply for internal roles, even if you’re not sure you’ll get them—sometimes, confidence is the only thing holding you back.
💡 “People don’t always get promoted because they’re the best—they get promoted because they go for it.”
For job seekers, this means: Be proactive in shaping your career—don’t wait for opportunities to come to you.
5. Tell People What They Need to Hear, Not What They Want to Hear
One of Catherine Ferma’s strongest leadership values is honest feedback.
📌 She believes in giving people direct, constructive advice—even when it’s difficult.
📌 Her coaching style is clear, fair, and focused on helping people improve.
💡 “Good leadership isn’t about making people feel comfortable all the time—it’s about helping them grow.”
For job seekers, this means: Seek out managers who will challenge you and help you improve—not just those who tell you what you want to hear.
6. Culture and Values Matter More Than Titles
A huge turning point in Catherine Ferma’s career was finding a company that reignited her passion for fitness.
📌 After feeling burnt out in the industry, joining The Gym Group made her fall in love with fitness again.
📌 She realised that company culture and values play a huge role in job satisfaction.
💡 “The right company will make you love what you do. The wrong one will drain you—even if the job title sounds impressive.”
For job seekers, this means: Prioritise working for a company whose culture and values align with your own.
7. Start Strong in Interviews – Energy Matters
After years of hiring and mentoring, Catherine Ferma has one key piece of advice for interview success:
📌 Start with confidence and energy. First impressions matter, and the way you begin an interview sets the tone.
📌 Be prepared. Know your CV inside out and have evidence to back up your claims.
📌 Research the company. Show that you’ve taken the time to understand their business.
💡 “There’s nothing worse than a low-energy start to an interview. Bring enthusiasm and be ready to go from the first question.”
For job seekers, this means: Confidence, preparation, and energy can make all the difference in landing a job.
Final Thought: Be Yourself and Believe in Yourself
If there’s one lesson to take from Catherine Ferma’s career, it’s this:
✅ Be brave. Take risks and apply for opportunities before you feel 100% ready.
✅ Stay open. Your career won’t always go to plan—embrace change.
✅ Know your worth. Don’t settle for companies that don’t align with your values.
✅ Be real. Authenticity is what makes you stand out.
💡 “The best careers are built on resilience, honesty, and a willingness to grow. Be yourself and back yourself.”
Want More Career Insights? Listen to the Full Episode! 🎧
This episode of the Love Your Career Podcast is packed with even more wisdom from Catherine Ferma.
📢 Tune in to hear her full story and expert insights!
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