Instepp®

Keeping the community moving

How an inventor took her fitness product, exercise classes and fundraising online. #AdaptToEvolve

Taking steps to help a charity

Julie Ford is the creator of Instepp®, a unique aerobic fitness product that can be used anywhere. Before the coronavirus crisis, she led exercise classes, group walks and personal training sessions. She had also signed up for a Macmillan Mighty Hike to raise money for cancer research, a cause close to her heart as a cancer survivor.

The start of lockdown temporarily put all this in jeopardy, but Julie was quick to adapt. No longer able to sell Instepp® or teach in person, she concentrated on her online shop, which is hosted on an IONOS domain. She also created her own YouTube channel, where she shares free home workouts using her product, and started her own fundraiser.

“I wanted to raise awareness that money is still needed for cancer research”

Since her recovery from breast cancer, Julie has been committed to fundraising, and she wasn’t going to let the lockdown measures get in her way. She adapted her ideas and took her fundraising online. “So many charities were put on the back burner because of the COVID virus. That’s why I created my own Macmillan fundraiser.”

With the Macmillan Mighty Hike postponed, Julie signed up for the charity's 2.6 mile-a-day challenge instead. Adding her own twist, she hosted an ‘Instepp-athon’ on Zoom after she has completed the walks. She encouraged others to get involved and the event was a great success, raising much needed funds for Macmillan – and heart rates.

Julie Ford

Founder of Instepp®

“My experience of IONOS has been amazing. A professional, helpful, knowledgeable, understanding service has been provided. It’s very reassuring.”

Visit the Instepp® website

“At 65, I didn’t retire, I restarted and became an inventor!”

Julie’s entrepreneurial spirit and willingness to adapt has helped her keep moving during lockdown. No stranger to change, she had already taken on a new challenge when she retired as a PE teacher aged 65.

“As a result of being a survivor of cancer, I took the bull by the horns and embraced life. Hence Instepp® was born, combining my love of walking and weight training.”

The uncertainty created by lockdown makes reliable hosting and cloud services more important than ever for business owners like Julie. Being present online means she can keep pursuing what matters to her. "I love life and would love as many people as possible to feel as good as I do every day."

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Instepp®

Keeping the community moving

Taking steps to help a charity

“At 65, I didn’t retire, I restarted and became an inventor!”

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