Kris Saunders-Stowe
| Kris Saunders-Stowe | |
|---|---|
| Born | Kristopher Stowe 19th January 1971 Solihull, West Midlands |
| 🏳️ Nationality | English |
| Other names | Kris Saunders |
| 💼 Occupation | Actor, presenter, disability fitness instructor, dancer |
| 👔 Employer | Wheely Good Fitness |
| Agent | VisAble |
| Notable credit(s) | Disability Daredevils (2015) Steptember (2015) Wheel-Fit (2015) Paralympics Commercial (2016) EndTheAwkward (2016) Wheel-Spin (2015) 10 Principles (2018) Wheel-Flex (2018) |
| 👩 Spouse(s) | Deane Saunders-Stowe 2012-present |
| 👴 👵 Parent(s) | Rita and Jim Stowe |
| 🌐 Website | https://krissaunders.com |
| Twitter= | |
Kris Saunders-Stowe (born 19 January 1971) is an English disability fitness instructor, actor, dancer and presenter best known for his proactive approach towards disability fitness.
Since 2012, and embracing the use of a wheelchair, Saunders-Stowe has become a recognised figure in the field of disability and inclusive fitness, founding Wheely Good Fitness in 2014 as a provider of multi-ability exercise classes.
In 2015 Saunders-Stowe released his first exercise DVD, titled Wheel-Fit by Wheely Good Fitness, offering a seated excerise workout for all abilities. This was followed in 2016 by Wheel-Spin, an exercise programme specific to self-propelling wheelchair users, incorporating wheelchair training rollers for a unique cardio workout.[1] A third DVD, Wheel-Flex, was released in 2018, designed as a gentle mobility exercise programme for all abilities.
After being cast as a dancer in Channel 4's 2016 Paralympics commercial, Saunders-Stowe was taken on by the talent agency VisAble People under the name of Kris Saunders as an actor, dancer, presenter and model.
Early life and career[edit]
Saunders-Stowe developed a degenerative joint condition and other medical conditions in the early 2000s that forced him out of work. After meeting his partner in 2011 and having the use of a wheelchair suggested to him, he adopted wheelchair use as part of his daily life and was able to return to work. Discontent with the inaccessibility he experienced in his workplace, he began training as a fitness instructor in the belief that the gym environment would be more conducive to wheelchair use. After qualifying as a gym and fitness instructor in 2013, he extended his qualifications to cover Exercise to Music.[2]
Wheely Good Fitness[edit]
In early 2014, Saunders-Stowe founded Wheely Good Fitness, a not-for-profit organisation designed to provide fitness classes to those of limited mobility in the Herefordshire area. Using the techniques learned in the Exercise to Music qualification, he worked to adapt aerobic exercise routines to comprise of high-intensity upper-body exercises, enabling wheelchair users and non-disabled clients alike to take seated exercise classes on an equal footing.
Aware that his classes could only cater for a limited number of people (and the inherent difficulty with travel that potential clients could experience), Saunders-Stowe developed a series of exercise DVDs based on his classes.[3]
Since the creation of Wheely Good Fitness, Saunders-Stowe has been asked to contribute to numerous articles promoting fitness[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] due to his progressive approach towards changing attitudes[15][16][17] when teaching clients with a disability, and has also won numerous awards[18][19], accolades[20][21] and nominations[22] for his efforts in that field. Due to his visibility as a positive role model[23], several organisations in the fitness industry have asked him to speak and demonstrate[24] his teaching method at events throughout the UK and Ireland.
Wheel-Fit[edit]
A high-energy seated aerobic workout, specifically designed for wheelchair users and those who, for whatever reason, prefer seated exercise. Saunders-Stowe teaches these classes in Herefordshire, and in 2015 produced a DVD titled Wheel-Fit by Wheely Good Fitness.
Wheel-Spin[edit]
A cardiovascular workout for self-propelling wheelchair users, performed on wheelchair training rollers.[25]
Wheel-Flex[edit]
A gentle mobility class designed for those wishing to slowly develop strength and flexibility, well-suited to those living with Multiple Sclerosis and other conditions that make high-speed exercise impractical.
Dance and Acting[edit]
After taking part in filming for the 2016 Paralympics Commercial for Channel 4[26], Saunders-Stowe began to develop an interest in wheelchair dance. In 2017, he choreographed three contemporary dance pieces which he performed at the Hereford Courtyard and filmed for social media.[27]
Saunders-Stowe was approached by Scope (Charity) to take part in their End The Awkward campaign in 2016. Later, after presenting at Scope's national conference at Westminster Hall, London, he took an interested in presenting and motivational speaking.
Charity work and presenting[edit]
2015 London Marathon (MS Society)[28]
2016 London Marathon (Scope Gold Bond entrant)[29], sponsored by an organised Flash Mob[30][31][32]
Scope National Conference, Westminster Hall presentation[33]
Cara, National Seminar for Inclusion (Ireland)[34]
Limerick, Physical Education and Sport Sciences department, University of Limerick[35]
Rotary district conference[36]
Superhero Series Triathlon[37][38][39]
Filmography[edit]
- Television
- Disability Daredevils Channel 4 documentary (2015)[40]
- Channel 4's Paralympics commercial (2016)
- The Superhumans Show (2016) - Guest[41]
- Eastenders (2019) - Appeared as Darren (14th May 2019)[42]
- DVD
- Wheel-Fit (2015) - Presenter
- Wheel-Spin (2015) - Presenter
- Wheel-Flex (2018) - Presenter
- Other media
References[edit]
- ↑ ""I'm running the world's only wheelchair spin class"". Scope (charity). 6 August 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
- ↑ "This gay fitness instructor teaches classes from his wheelchair: 'Disability is not inability'". Gaystarnews. 7 January 2018. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
- ↑ "Wheely Good Business Gets Wheels Turning On Disabled Fitness". Mobilitysolutions.co.uk. 10 November 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
- ↑ "Play and playfulness for public health and Wellbeing, Habilitation and rehabilitation - Article 26 (UNCRPD)". Routledge. 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
- ↑ "Wheely Good Fitness: exercise customised for wheelchair users". DisabilityHorizons.com. 29 October 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
- ↑ "Is it harder for disabled people to lose weight?". BBC News. 12 January 2018. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
- ↑ "10 exercises to keep you flexible and fit in 2019 if you're disabled". Disabilityhorizons.com. 1 January 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
- ↑ "Five wheelchair exercises you can try at home". Scope (charity). 18 August 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
- ↑ "Wheelchair Aerobics: Get Fit, Have Fun!". Rolling Without Limits, Transfermaster.com. 30 March 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
- ↑ "Diet, health and exercise - support alongside Spokz People". Spokz People. 22 February 2018. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
- ↑ "Wheely Good Fitness, a sport and workout adapted to the needs and aspirations of disabled people". South London Press. 8 January 2018. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
- ↑ "Accessible Gyms & Workout Programs". Accesscheck.org. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
- ↑ "Exercise and Disability: Resources for Accessible Gym Equipment". Ameridisibility.com. 26 November 2018. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
- ↑ "Your guide to an accessible workout". Monarch Mobility. 27 February 2018. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
- ↑ "Inclusive sport shouldn't be something we have to fight for". Scope (charity). 21 August 2017. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
- ↑ "'My mission to change how the world views fitness and disability'". thisismedtech.com. 2 December 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
- ↑ "Ross man releases video to show disability does not mean inability". Hereford Times. 3 December 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
- ↑ "In Focus: Why you should nominate your community champion". Hereford Times. 20 January 2017. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
- ↑ "Community Champions Awards - our fantastic winners". Herefordshire.gov.uk. 4 May 2016. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
- ↑ "Two big dates in the capital for inspirational fitness instructor". Hereford times. 28 January 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
- ↑ "Recognition for Herefordshire fitness expert". Ross Gazette. 19 April 2017. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
- ↑ "Ross-on-Wye fitness instructor in line for National Diversity Award". Ross Gazette. 2 March 2016. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
- ↑ "Why Kris Saunders-Stowe is a role model". European Commission. 10 October 2017. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
- ↑ "Independent living news" (PDF). s4il.co.uk. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
- ↑ ""I'm running the world's only wheelchair spin class"". Scope (charity). 6 August 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
- ↑ "We're The Superhumans - Rio Paralympics 2016 Trailer". Channel 4. 14 July 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
- ↑ "Kris Saunders-Stowe Turned His Life Story Into An Evocative Wheelchair Dance". boredpanda.com. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
- ↑ "We're in the London Marathon!". wheelygoodfitness.com. January 2015. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
- ↑ "Local athletes take on the London Marathon". Ross Gazette. 28 April 2016. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
- ↑ "A 'Wheely Good' day for a flash mob". Scope (charity). 3 April 2016. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
- ↑ "Disabled dancers take over Hereford city centre for fundraising flashmob". Hereford Times. 4 April 2016. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
- ↑ "Disabled dancers take over Hereford city centre for fundraising flashmob". Mobility for you. 6 April 2016. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
- ↑ "Wheely and Scope". wheelygoodfitness.com. 24 May 2015. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
- ↑ "National Seminar for Inclusion" (PDF). Caracentre.ie. 1 November 2017. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
- ↑ "Wheely Good Fitness: Adapting Fitness Training for Wheelchair Users – Tom Comyns". Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Limerick. 15 September 2017. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
- ↑ "Rotary district conference" (PDF). Rotary Club. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
- ↑ "Our Super Start Times". Superheroseries.co.uk. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
- ↑ "Superhero Series Tri" (PDF). Ambito Healthcare newsletter. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
- ↑ "Superhero Series Tri 2018". wheelygoodfitness.com. 19 August 2018. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
- ↑ "Disabled Daredevils". Channel 4. 30 August 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
- ↑ "Superhumans go head to head on Invictus Active Trainer". Assistive Technology Today. 7 June 2016. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
- ↑ "Who played Karen Taylor's MS contact Darren in last night's EastEnders?". Whatsontv.co.uk. 14 May 2019. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
- ↑ "Four awkward things to avoid saying when you meet a disabled person - End the Awkward". Scope (charity). 6 October 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
- ↑ "What not to do in a convenience store - Scope and The Southern Co-operative". Scope (charity). 22 November 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
- ↑ "Activity Alliance 10 Principles". Livingsport.co.uk. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
- ↑ "Activity Alliance releases Ten Principles film". activeessex.org. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
External links[edit]
- [1] Wheely Good Fitness official site
- [2] Kris Saunders official site
- [3] IMDB entry for Kris Saunders
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