International Women’s Day Highlight: Charlotte Roach

Rabble founder Charlotte Roach has gone through many trials and tribulations both throughout her athletic career and new exercise business calling. Today’s special spotlight is on her history, experience and advice for aspiring women athletes and entrepreneurs all over the world.

Tell us a little about yourself!

Hi, I’m Charlotte and I’m the founder and CEO of Rabble. I am a former international triathlete for team GB and have an MA degree in Physiology and Neuroscience from Cambridge University.

Could you tell us a little about how Rabble was born?

When I left elite sport I was amazed by how narrow the exercise experience was for adults. I realised that the last thing I wanted was to commit myself to going to the gym once a day for the rest of my life to stay fit. There had to be a better way of staying active in a way that I could look forwards to it rather than dread it, and thus be happy to build into my lifestyle long term. From this I created an exercise solution that was so much fun it didn’t feel like exercise and so social it builds communities.

How did you begin running sessions?

I began Rabble by borrowing some free equipment and free space and testing the idea. People loved it so I ran more and more! I began hiring instructors but now license the Rabble concept out across the UK by offering training to anyone who wanted to become an instructor.

What inspired you to choose the name Rabble?

I actually started the company with a completely different name but it didn’t feel right. People who attend the sessions are a friendly and supportive crowd, sessions are about the playing and not about the winning. Nobody arrives with all the skills. Everyone learns as they play, I’ve designed it that way. There’s no hierarchy and there’s no negativity. There’s only word that describes us and that is: Rabble.

What was your biggest challenge?

Educating the market. I’ve created a unique new concept that makes workouts so much fun that you don’t even realise you’re working out. No one else is running gamified fitness classes, so we have to make people aware that fitness can be this much fun.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve received?

Just do it. I am where I am today because of a preference for action over talking and a desire to make the world a better place.

Charlotte constantly emphasises that regardless of age, gender or ability, anyone can become successful if they commit, persevere and focus on what they want to achieve. She says she wasn’t the best athlete or the most business savvy but she has surrounded herself with positive, intelligent and inspirational people who have helped her overcome most obstacles in her life so far.

Today, Charlotte runs Rabble with over 100 licensed instructors across the UK and one in Denmark. She plans to start a crowdfunding round in March to raise money to increase instructor numbers to over 400 by 2020 by revamping the brand and taking Rabble global.