Lesley Hadden
Project Manager and Group Fitness Instructor


As the project lead for ANGUSalive, my role is all about bringing vision to life. I get to take ideas, whether it’s a new technology project, a new gym area, a new dance studio, fitness program, a community event, or a wellness initiative, and turn them into reality through careful planning, coordination, and leadership. I thrive on the challenge of balancing multiple moving parts, ensuring timelines are met, resources are efficiently used, and everyone on the team is aligned with the end goal. What I love most is knowing that each project I manage has the potential to make a real difference in people’s lives, whether by promoting health, fostering community, or creating opportunities for growth. It’s inspiring to see how, through organisation and strategy, I can help shape positive outcomes. My role allows me to blend creativity with structure, bringing together teams and ideas to deliver impactful results. To me, being a project manager isn’t just about meeting deadlines—it’s about empowering others, driving progress, and making a lasting impact.
Being a group fitness instructor is one of the most rewarding roles I’ve ever taken on and it all started 27 years ago doing my first qualification – Exercise to Music! Every class is an opportunity to inspire, motivate, and uplift others as they work towards their fitness goals. I love the energy and connection that comes from leading a group, there’s a special kind of magic when people come together, push themselves, and encourage one another to go further than they thought possible. My goal is to create an inclusive and empowering environment where everyone feels capable and strong, regardless of their starting point. I’m not just teaching exercises, I’m helping people build confidence, resilience, and a sense of community. Watching participants grow, overcome challenges, and celebrate their progress is incredibly fulfilling. It’s a reminder that fitness is about more than just physical strength—it’s about mental toughness, teamwork, and the joy of moving your body. Every session reinforces my passion for helping others live healthier, more empowered lives.
My earliest memory in sport and leisure takes me back to the day I won the East of Scotland Dance Championship at 8yrs old. The moment was surreal, standing on that stage, heart pounding with excitement and nerves. Every step, every turn had been practiced a thousand times, but in that moment, it was more than just a routine—it was a culmination of hard work, passion, and belief in myself. Hearing my name announced as the winner was pure exhilaration although at first it didn’t register! The trophy represented more than a title, it was proof that with dedication and resilience, dreams are within reach. That victory ignited a fire in me, a reminder that success is born from perseverance and the courage to step onto the stage, despite the challenges.
The biggest inspiration behind my pursuit in sport and leisure has always been my mum and dad. From an early age, they instilled the importance of staying active, following my passions, and always giving my best whether it was dancing, swimming, majorettes or gymnastics. They were more than just supporters they were my motivators, pushing me to believe in myself when the challenges seemed massive. My mum’s constant encouragement and my dad’s belief in my potential gave me the confidence to chase my dreams in sport. They showed me that success isn’t just about winning, but about the journey, the discipline, and the love for what you do. Their guidance shaped not just my career, but the approach to life, a constant reminder that with dedication, hard work, and the support of those who care about you, anything is possible!
I enjoy most about working in the sports and leisure industry is the opportunity to inspire and uplift others. Every day, I get to witness people discovering their strength, pushing their limits, and achieving goals they never thought possible. It’s incredibly rewarding to be part of that journey, knowing that I’m helping to create positive change in people’s lives, whether through fitness, sport, or recreational activities. The energy, passion, and sense of community that come from working with individuals who are striving to improve themselves is contagious. I love being surrounded by that spirit of perseverance and growth, and it motivates me to keep learning, evolving, and giving my best. Sport, leisure & fitness has the power to bring people together, to teach resilience, and to foster well-being, and being part of that is what makes this industry so fulfilling for me.
Working with ANGUSalive offers a unique opportunity to be part of a vibrant community dedicated to enriching lives through culture, sport, and recreation. It’s not just a job it’s a chance to make a meaningful impact by helping individuals and families stay active, engaged, and inspired. Whether you’re promoting creativity in libraries, supporting wellness in sports centres, or bringing people together through arts and culture, you are contributing to the vitality of Angus. Every day is a chance to connect with others, promote well-being, and be a catalyst for positive change in the community.
As a woman working in the fitness, sport and leisure industry, I’ve certainly faced challenges and barriers along the way. Whether it was dealing with outdated stereotypes, being underestimated, or having to work twice as hard to be taken seriously, these obstacles tested my resilience. But instead of letting them hold me back, I used them to push forward. I embraced every challenge as an opportunity to prove not only my capabilities but also the value of diversity in this industry. Surrounding myself with a supportive network, staying confident in my skills, and maintaining a strong belief in my purpose has helped me overcome those barriers. By focusing on my passion for health, wellbeing and fitness and the positive impact it can have, I’ve turned those challenges into stepping stones for growth, both personally and professionally. I hope my journey can inspire other women to keep pushing through, because we belong in every space.
One of the accomplishments I’m most proud of is leading the redevelopment of our gym areas. Transforming these spaces into vibrant, modern hubs for fitness was a project that required vision, dedication, and teamwork. From the initial planning stages to overseeing the renovations and ensuring the new design met the needs of our members, it was a challenging yet incredibly rewarding journey. Seeing the end result,a state-of-the-art facility where people feel excited and motivated to train, fills me with pride. What’s most fulfilling is knowing that this project has created a space where individuals of all fitness levels can feel inspired and supported in their health journeys. It’s not just a gym it’s a place where goals are achieved, confidence is built, and community is strengthened. Being part of something that has such a positive, lasting impact on others is what makes this accomplishment so meaningful to me
If I could change one thing about the sports industry to better support women, it would be to create equal opportunities and visibility at all levels. From grassroots to elite competition, women deserve the same resources, sponsorship, media coverage, and funding as their male counterparts. Too often, talented female athletes are overlooked, despite their incredible achievements and dedication. By investing more in women’s sports, through promotion, infrastructure, and development programs we can inspire the next generation of girls to believe they belong on any field, court, or stage. Equal representation not only elevates women but strengthens the entire sports community, proving that talent and passion know no gender boundaries. With the right support, women in sport can continue to shatter barriers and redefine excellence on their own terms.

