Retrofitmix

14/08/2026

RetroFitMix: the story so far… Part 2 🎬

Because obviously our first proper rehearsal started with us being kicked out of the studio… 🙈🤣🫣

Turns out we were in the wrong one.

BUT… every cloud and all that, because we found another studio with amazing lighting, AIR CON 🙌 and plenty of space for two slightly over-excited fitness instructors to finally bring this crazy little idea to life.

After months of messages, voice notes, planning, playlists and living 750 miles apart… it was time to actually REHEARSE RetroFitMix together.

Would it work the way we’d imagined?
Would we remember what we’d planned?
Would we spend half the time laughing?

👀 Follow along to find out…

This is the behind-the-scenes story of RetroFitMix — Donna & Andrea, two friends, two fitness instructors and one big idea 💗

Part 3 coming soon… and that’s when things REALLY start coming together 🎶💪

06/08/2026

Every idea starts with a conversation…

Ours started over 750 miles apart.

Between community classes, voice notes, Zoom calls, playlists, and more cups of coffee than we can count ☕️, we kept coming back to one question…

What if we created the kind of fitness class we wished existed for midlife women?

One that felt fun.
One that wasn’t intimidating.
One that celebrated great music, movement, laughter and feeling good.

Months of planning later… we finally got to see each other again 🩷🩵💜

This is where the RetroFitMix story really begins.

And trust us… this is only Part 1. 😉

Follow along as we take you behind the scenes of building something we’re incredibly proud of.

💖 Andrea & Donna

26/07/2026

Whose coming?! 👀
🩷🩵💜

15/07/2026

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 We are soo hoping it’s coming home!!! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿
Good luck to the England team 🤞⚽️
We are all cheering you on & wishing you well!
🩷🩵💜

13/07/2026

Soo proud of my bff 👯 have at look 👀 this Award she’s been nominated for!
She is absolutely amazing and deserves this 🫶 Donna you do so much for your classes and community and Parkinson’s Classes. You’re my winner by being nominated. What an achievement. I’m so proud of you. 🤩👏😍
🩷🩵💜

✨ I’M A BBC RADIO SCOTLAND MAKE A DIFFERENCE AWARDS FINALIST! ✨

I honestly still can’t quite believe I’m writing this…

I’ve been selected as a finalist in The Active category of the BBC Radio Scotland Make a Difference Awards 2026. 💜

The judges were impressed by the nomination and the difference I’ve made within our community through Orkney Dance & Fitness, and I feel incredibly honoured, emotional and grateful to have our work recognised in this way.

ODAF has never been just about exercise.

It’s about helping people feel stronger, more confident and less alone. It’s about friendships, laughter, connection and creating opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to move in a way that feels welcoming and achievable.

From our Active Movers and Parkinson’s sessions to our rural classes, social cafés, online community and everything in between, this recognition belongs to every person who has walked through our doors, joined us online, volunteered, taught, supported, encouraged or believed in what we are building.

Thank you to whoever nominated me — and to everyone who continues to support both me and ODAF. I genuinely couldn’t do this without our amazing instructors, volunteers, directors, members, community partners and my family.

The awards ceremony will take place at BBC Scotland in Glasgow this September, where the winners will be announced.

Whatever happens next, being chosen as a finalist already means more than I can put into words.

A wee organisation from Orkney is being recognised by the BBC — and I am so incredibly proud of how far we’ve come. 💜✨



BBC Radio Orkney

10/07/2026

Mum life. Me & my guy at our mum & tots pilates class 🙆🏻‍♀️👶

10/07/2026

Hi, I’m Andrea one half of RetroFitMix. If you check out our videos from Fits Up I’m the one in the pink!

This is a little section we like to call: Getting to know your Instructors…
(More catchy name to come I’m sure lol 😜)

A little bit about me… One of the classes I teach is Mum + Tots Pilates 🙆🏻‍♀️👶
This Class is a way that Mum’s can bring their little ones with them while they work out. As you can see from the picture I bring my little guy too! It is always such a joy to teach & the highlights of my week! 🤗

Andrea 💕

🩷🩵💜

09/07/2026

750 miles. One friendship. One shared dream. 🩷🩵💜

People often ask how Andrea and I make this work when we live so far apart.

The truth?

Lots of voice notes.
Lots of video calls.
Lots of planning.
Lots of laughter.
And a whole lot of faith.

Then every so often, we get weekends like this… where everything we’ve been working towards comes to life.

One thing we’ve promised ourselves is to take more photos.

So many amazing weekends have passed with barely a handful of pictures to look back on. We realised that while we were busy making memories, we weren’t always capturing them.

Not anymore.

This is just the first chapter from an unforgettable weekend together.

From reuniting…
To taking RetroFitMix to the stage…
To celebrating at the Heart & Soul Awards…

We’re incredibly grateful for every opportunity, every person who’s supported us, and every moment that’s brought us here.

And the best part?

We’re only just getting started 🩷🩵💜

09/07/2026

Which one are you?
We’re defo are no 2 sweep up & scoop, messy bun hair girls all the way in this heat 🤭🥵
🩷🩵💜

09/07/2026

🏆 Winning an award is amazing…

…but no one tells you about the acceptance speech your calf gives afterwards. 🤣🦵

One minute you’re posing with your shiny new trophy…

The next you’re desperately trying to stretch out the biggest cramp of your life while everyone watches. 😂

Midlife keeps us humble!

Huge congratulations again to our very own Andrea, winner of the Heart & Soul Awards Regional Instructor of the Year – South East England. 🏆❤️

Award-winning instructor…
Professional presenter…
Defeated by a calf muscle. 🤣

Never change, Andrea! 💖