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testimonials

 

testimonials


career consultation testimonials

Vicki has been a mentor and reliable resource for guidance and advice since the beginning of my MA in Textiles at the Royal College of Art. She has this incredibly rare ability to sift through the chaos and overwhelm that all too often paralyses and occupies the minds of creative practitioners and sort out what is useful and valuable.

She was my go-to person during uni and she is my go-to person to this day. After graduating from my MA I started working in the fashion industry, because it felt like „the right“ and expected thing to do. It was the opposite of the fine art career I had envisioned for myself during my MA and which Vicki always supported and encouraged.

After a year of being immersed in a field that felt inauthentic to my deepest being, I made the decision to quit and start new. I felt scared, overwhelmed and full of self-doubt. In this time of diffidence I contacted Vicki and asked her for a consultation session. During this session, she broke down a seemingly unclimbable mountain of tasks into bite-sized pieces. The hour with her helped me to shut down all the voices coming from within and from the outside that told me to follow a “should” path that doesn’t align with my real goals, aims, values and dreams. It is really difficult to justify sometimes, on your own to your surroundings and yourself, a career that might be seen as unconventional and unsafe. It all can feel so overwhelming. A huge wall in front of you and no way up in sight.

Speaking to her, going through the steps I could take as well as to hear how she saw and where she positioned me as a creative was so incredible valuable. Not only for me personally, my confidence and clarity, but also for the conversations I had with people close to me afterwards.

In exchange with Vicki you feel understood. Seen. Never in a way that feels insincere, inauthentic or superficial but always genuine. She is not an enabler and won’t sugar coat, which is rare to find and all the more valuable. A conversation with her will always include productive criticism when needed, challenging questions that force you to reflect and a clear direction and action plan.

Vicki is a force. A person that thrives when being faced with a challenge. Always full of energy and infectious excitement to take on tasks ahead.

Following the consultation with Vicki I took the leap, went freelance and started focussing on art making. I invested in an art studio and fully dedicated myself to the path chosen. I have not looked back once and though I am faced with challenges constantly, I feel confident and grateful to work towards something that feels meaningful to me and that I would have almost abandoned if it wouldn’t have been for the consultation with Vicki and the seeds we planted together in this conversation. In so many ways this consultation was important for me, which is why I recommended everyone that feels like they’ve reached a plateau/dead-road/breaking-point with full conviction to consider one with Vicki too.
— Vivien Reinert
Put simply, I wouldn’t have a career to speak of if not for Vicki Fong. Vicki quite literally transformed my life and trajectory, with not just her astute knowledge of all things art and industry, but also with her compassion, empathy and kindness.

I was two terms into the RCA, feeling very lost and on the brink of being kicked out. I quite frankly had no idea what I was doing, except that I was doing everything wrong. And then along came Vicki, she can see the good and potential in anyone, even those of us who had already been written off, even by ourselves. She explained everything to me, in a practical way that just completely and utterly “clicked”. Others had tried to get through to me, but Vicki has that completely rare ability to connect with anyone in the way that they personally need to develop.

I managed to take my creative practice from ground-zero and back of the pack, to winning awards and securing opportunities I only could have dreamt even months prior. She’s an energy pill that invigorates. But also I will say this, she isn’t an enabler, Vicki is going to tell you what you need to hear to really push through and break those creative plateaus. It’s through Vicki, that I was taught never to play it safe, and the only way to grow is persisting through the uncomfortability of a challenge.

Everyone will have their own Vicki origin-story, and they will each say she’s made a monumental impact on their development and trajectory. Vicki is the kind of person I would literally hire for any role imaginable, because she’s so hard-working, innovative, passionate, professional, kind, disciplined, the list goes on and on. I count her as one of a very select handful of people I think the absolute highest of, and this testimonial alone cannot articulate how phenomenal she truly is. I will continue to seek her counsel at crossroads throughout the decades to come, as I know first hand she always goes above and beyond in every way imaginable. And any of us would be lucky to cross paths with a person such as Vicki even once in our lifetimes.
— Sam Wilde
Vicki made me believe I had potential for both getting a PhD and having my own business, and now thanks to her I lead a materials innovation startup which has raised £2M in funding and is about to launch its first product at industrial scale!

She has pushed me to achieve my potential with her unwavering faith in me. Culture Code is my favourite book ever and she recommended it! I can’t ever thank her enough
— Valentina Dipietro
I booked a session with Vicki to discuss my career path into the art industry which I felt increasingly unsure about having accepted a full time job following my graduation from the RCA.

The session was insightful and inspiring since Vicki has the unique ability to pick up on one’s strengths, passions and values, empowering them with confidence to take steps in the right direction for their personal and professional growth.

I honestly cannot recommend booking a session with Vicki more! She really dives in and connects with the individual and has a deep understanding of what steps need to be taken to work towards one’s goals and ambitions.

It has literally been life changing for me and now, with Vicki’s encouragement in the beginning, I’m working as a freelance full time artist.
— Carolina H
I reached out to Vicki for a consultation session having personally experienced her exceptionally motivational delivery during lectures and workshops at the RCA. Wishing to expand my creative practice and apply for lecturing positions, I came to Vicki with the intent of enhancing my profile and tailoring my CV to meet both a creative and academic context.

In just one session, Vicki transformed my CV, in the space of only one hour she helped me to achieve a task which on my own, I would have spent weeks agonising over. The support I received from Vicki was personal and attentive, but most of all, allowed me to see the value and depth of the skillset I hold. Giving me a new sense of confidence.

Following my session with Vicki, I had success in the first lecturing position I applied for. Vicki really is a coaching master! I am sure, as my profession evolves, I myself will return time and time again for many more sessions with Vicki, for her invaluable guidance.
— Katerina Knight
Vicki has made a hugely positive impact on my professional practice as an artist and I would absolutely recommend others to book in with her. My experience of working with Vicki is that she always has her client’s best interest at heart as she generously shares her insights and advice for the benefit of the client she is working with.

I was at a point on my MA studies where I felt I needed an in-depth tutorial regarding aspects of my professional practice including CV formatting for different industries, digital portfolio planning, and strategies for seeking out work in academia. I knew that having 1 to 1 sessions with Vicki would provide me with clear and actionable steps for all the aspects I needed support with, as well as boosting my confidence, and setting my mind at ease about the future.

Vicki always goes above and beyond my expectations. We covered so much in each session and I always feel comfortable asking any question regardless of how simple or basic it might seem. My sessions were online which added to the efficiency because I was able to screen share and pull up any documents and references as we worked through our agreed plan for the session.

I found the sessions incredibly beneficial. Not only did I learn a huge amount about the different aspects we covered, but I felt reassured and confident about my direction, and the steps required to achieve my goals. Vicki’s experienced advice, commitment and energy is invaluable.

I am delighted to say that by following Vicki’s clear steps and strategies, I was offered a job in academia starting this September.
— Isabel
I am fortunate to have received a block of 5 in-person sessions, which proved to be transformative. My decision to seek guidance was rooted in Vicki’s exceptional portfolio sessions I had previously attended while at the Royal College of Art. During those sessions, we received in-depth practical Adobe knowledge along with holistic insights around structuring a successful portfolio.

Vicki’s wealth of experience across diverse industries results in an ability to seamlessly tailor advice to align with individual aspirations and desired professional trajectories. A proactive, reliable, and adaptable nature, coupled with a deep understanding of various sectors, enabled me to pinpoint the core essence of my work and personal identity, and how this can adapt to industry.

Throughout the sessions, Vicki presented pathways that matched my strengths and identified areas for development with guidance on addressing them. Vicki’s realism and practical insights ensured a well-balanced perspective while steadily progressing toward defining my identity as a designer.

The sessions allowed me to crystallize my goals and prioritize actionable steps to achieve them. Thanks to the guidance, outcomes have been attained that fill me with genuine pride and I have gained a clear understanding of my next steps. The pivotal role in my journey cannot be overstated, and Vicki’s services are wholeheartedly endorsed to anyone seeking to bridge the gap between their creative pursuits and the demands of the professional sphere. The experience has been nothing short of exceptional, and Vicki comes enthusiastically recommended!
— Caitlin Maxwell Hughan

wellness testimonials

I didn’t think I would ever ‘workout’, let alone get out of bed at 7am to fling weights around my bedroom - but somehow Vicki has not only made that happen, but she’s also made it enjoyable and educational and I really look forward to every class.

I’ve never enjoyed exercise and often felt it ‘wasn’t for me’ due to the industry’s heavy emphasis on body image. Like most people, especially women, I’ve had a complex relationship with my body and have always focused on how it looks or more importantly, doesn’t look. But following BOSH and seeing all of the facts and stats about the impact of exercise on things such as bone strength, brain activity and disease prevention has slowly changed my attitude towards exercise.

I really enjoy learning new things about my body in every class- the importance of posture, using varieties of muscle groups and how they interconnect and always always ‘make sure you stay hydrated’. As well as the classes being stimulating for both body and brain, I have taken titbits from them and have noticed I now apply these in everyday life- noticing my posture throughout the day and ensuring I stretch often. I suffer with anxiety and in times when I’ve felt overwhelmed, I now hear ‘focus on your breathing - in through the nose and out through the mouth’ and ‘drink some water, make sure you’re hydrated’ to break out the cycle of panic.

Vicki is so passionate and skilled and her attention to detail is second to none, she really cares that everyone gets the best out of each class within their own capabilities and it’s in such an encouraging way that it is infectious and makes you want to try harder. Exercise classes needn’t be much more than just engaging and safe - but BOSH has gone way beyond that and has created a great community that encourages passion, education and a genuine interest in physiology that works it’s way in to improving every facet of your life
— Rosie B
I’d always struggled with building exercise into my life in a sustainable way, and resented the cost and time-commitment that joining a gym entailed, but during lockdown my friend introduced me to Vicki’s classes. I’d never tried weight training and would have been much too intimidated to use any of the equipment in public, but Vicki introduced me to the world of dumbbells and kettlebells slowly and her passion for strength training was contagious!

I quickly discovered that working with weights was different to anything I’d done before. In classes we concentrate not on speed but on form, moving through a range of dynamic exercises to build a strong mind-body connection, rather than just raising the heartrate. Vicki’s instinctive curiosity and desire to learn new things mean classes often include a mix of old and new exercises, so feel familiar without ever being boring. I love the fact that I can do the classes from home and now – with the library of training videos – at a time that suits me, whilst knowing that Vicki will always be there if I have questions. I’ve found being stronger has helped me in lots of areas of my life – including making running easier, something I never imagined I’d enjoy doing.

To my surprise, I’ve managed to keep up regular strength training for over 4 years! This in no small part is because Vicki is such a fantastic trainer. Her commitment to improving people’s health and wellbeing (making them feel, rather than look good) is palpable. She encourages you to push yourself whilst always emphasising the need to listen to your own body, and adapting exercises to meet people where they are. I really don’t know where I’d be if I hadn’t been introduced to Vicki, and cannot recommend her or BOSH fitness enough!
— Emma P
Vicki is one of the best teachers you can find. She cares about every single person in her class with a holistic perspective. I love how she adapts each session depending on who is in the class and our abilities and preferences. I find the environment of gyms intimidating and off-putting and I would never have even tried a weights class if it had not been for Vicki offering her online sessions with their welcoming and supportive atmosphere. I so appreciate how she has helped me build my strength over the last year and I feel its effects everyday in small ways (even if exercise still isn’t my ‘thing’)
— Phoebe CM
I was introduced to Vicki in April 2022, and from our first consultation I knew she was more than “just another personal trainer”. I started with a few one-to-one sessions so she could assess my mobility which back then was practically non-existent.

I have a very sedentary role meaning I am sat at my desk for long periods of time every day and as a result my muscles and mobility suffered. After a few PT sessions I noticed that I could achieve better flexibility, mobility, movements and realised that all the heads of gym training just simply didn’t tackle all parts of my body to build core strength, flexibility and mobility.

I have suffered from weight related knee and back pains which are now a thing of the past thanks to Vicki’s dedicated and tailored warm up and cool downs in every session. I cannot recommend Vicki highly enough as someone who is both knowledgeable and dedicated to delivering bespoke training for everyone.

I now have a strong core and am able to maintain, hold and stretch positions that I previously thought impossible. I have today finished my first Kettlebell FLOW class and found that whilst it pushed me it was a mark of how far I have come since training with Vicki as a testament to the strength, fitness and stamina I have gained.
— Ercan M
Having no experience in using personal trainers or any clear desire to, I was not sure what to expect or gain from working with Vicki but one thing I knew for sure was that she would, without a doubt, make sure that I benefited from it!

My goal from the very beginning was to advance my fitness. To be able to sustain endurance to a high level so I felt prepared for ultra marathons and taking on the biggest challenge of my life, without worrying about getting injured. I knew this would take strength, cardio and flexibility training. More importantly, Vicki knew and she put together a program for me that pushed my abilities but also celebrated them. Vicki’s attention to detail and analysis of capabilities is phenomenal. The proof of this is in my results. If you are looking for a personal trainer who genuinely cares about individuals and takes the time to adapt her knowledge to benefit them both mentally and physically, then she is the right trainer for you.

I think it’s important to connect to people who train you and people who you train. Life feels so hectic, especially when you are responsible for others. If you’re going to find time to do something for you, I think it has to be of great value. Vicki’s approach to personal training relies on this way of thinking and that’s why I’m so grateful for getting the chance to train with her.

Personally, I do not enjoy general training or routines that do not inspire me and push me physically and mentally. Vicki’s mindset is that a client should be challenged but should more importantly be heard. People’s time is sacred and I think Vicki treats every client with that in mind. There’s a genuine care in her approach that I think everyone would appreciate and thrive off of.
— David T
I started training with Vicki in March 2020 as a way to keep some kind of routine in all the chaos that the pandemic caused. I didn’t realise at that point what a vital part of my life, training would become. Vicki has given me the support and confidence to take the training seriously, something I couldn’t have imagined before 2020. She is patient, caring and unbelievably enthusiastic. Through injury and from generally being quite unfit, I have found myself stronger and more resilient than I ever have been, both physically and mentally. I couldn’t recommend BOSH Fitness enough. Without a doubt I would have found the pandemic situation a great deal harder without the regular sessions and satisfying body-ache. Who would have thought that kettlebells were my thing.
— Amy T