Taxi driver whose custom was slashed by Covid finds success as personal trainer

A city taxi driver has steered a new career path after Covid dramatically slashed fares.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Due to lockdowns and tier restrictions, demand for taxis across Sunderland has been drastically reduced. The impact was immediate and just after the first lockdown, Station Taxis driver Peter Snowball was picking up just one fare every hour and a half, compared to a usual steady stream of pick ups.

Peter, from Red House, has been a driver for the past 10 years and has always maintained an active lifestyle to counteract the sedentary nature of his job. But he never imagined his passion for fitness could also become a career.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

When permitted to do so, he began training with friends outdoors while gyms were closed and they suggested he should try his hand at personal training.

Personal Trainer Peter Snowball at Fitness 2000. Picture by FRANK REIDPersonal Trainer Peter Snowball at Fitness 2000. Picture by FRANK REID
Personal Trainer Peter Snowball at Fitness 2000. Picture by FRANK REID

Peter said: “The impact of the pandemic has been massive. Once pubs, restaurants, the airport, the football club, the Empire closed, it was very hard to pay the rank. So you’re working all day for nothing. The knock-on effect of the pandemic has been huge.

"I train everyday anyway and do pad work and people started asking if I could train them. I never plan anything in life, but I’m really surprised at how it’s taken off.”

Peter said he’d have been happy with just one personal training client a day, but he’s ended up training six to ten people daily. He works out of Fitness 2000 gym in Roker and while the gym was closed in the second lockdown, he held socially-distanced sessions in the gym’s car park, which is permitted within the regulations.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad
Peter does personal training sessions at Fitness 2000 in Roker Avenue.Peter does personal training sessions at Fitness 2000 in Roker Avenue.
Peter does personal training sessions at Fitness 2000 in Roker Avenue.

Peter does a variety of exercises with people including footwork, boxing, circuits and skipping.

Speaking about his new career path, which he plans to juggle with taxiing, he said: “I love training people. I’ve trained in jujitsu for 18 years and you pick up training techniques through that. It’s so important for people to maintain their fitness at the minute and people are so appreciative of being able to train. It’s so rewarding to see a change in them.”

Read More
Tier 3: Sunderland businesses doing delivery

Support your Echo and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news, the latest on SAFC and new puzzles every day. With a digital subscription, you can see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe.

Related topics: