Steve's Story

Living with psoriasis has shaped parts of Steve's life, but it has never stopped him pursuing his passion for sport and fitness. Today, as a personal trainer and gym owner, he uses his story to promote understanding, inclusion and confidence in others.

Click to enlarge

I have lived with psoriasis since my teenage years. Growing up in a coastal town where life often revolved around the beach and outdoor activity, it first became noticeable at a time when I was also becoming more aware of myself and how I looked.

From an early age, I made a conscious decision not to let psoriasis stop me from living my life. I stayed active, played sport, and built my life around health and fitness. That doesn’t mean it didn’t affect me at times, but I chose to keep going and adapt rather than step back.

Sport, particularly football, has always been a big part of my life. In changing rooms after matches, I would often shower last, simply due to personal confidence rather than anything anyone said or did. Most teammates were either not concerned or would ask about my skin out of curiosity, and those conversations were generally positive. On rare occasions there were comments from opposition players, but these were the exception rather than the rule.

The reality for me was never that psoriasis stopped me doing things, but that it subtly influenced decisions and confidence in certain environments.

During my time at university, I underwent regular ultraviolet light treatment. Managing psoriasis required planning and commitment, and I had to balance treatment schedules with studying, training and social life. Even now, I still tend to be selective about socialising at times, something that comes from years of learning how to manage a long-term condition alongside everyday life.

I have also been through different medical treatments over the years, including methotrexate, which required regular blood tests and monitoring. More recently, I moved onto injectable treatment, and I am fortunate that my skin is now clear. I recognise how much progress has been made in treatment options, and I am grateful for the improvements in my quality of life as a result.

Click to enlarge

One thing that has remained consistent throughout my life is my commitment to health and fitness. I have always believed in staying active, eating well and taking care of my overall wellbeing. While exercise is not a cure for psoriasis, for me it has always been an important part of managing stress, confidence and general health.

I now work in the fitness industry as a personal trainer and run my own gym. These experiences have had a direct influence on how I operate my business. I understand what it can feel like to be self-conscious in a gym environment, and I am very aware that for some people, stepping into a fitness space can be intimidating.

Because of this, I place a strong emphasis on creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where people feel comfortable regardless of their appearance or health conditions. My focus is on helping people improve their health, confidence and wellbeing without judgment.

I also believe there is still work to be done within the wider fitness industry. Greater education around conditions like psoriasis would help reduce stigma and misunderstanding. Simple awareness that psoriasis is not contagious, and that people may feel self-conscious in gym environments, can make a meaningful difference to someone’s experience.

Click to enlarge

From my own perspective, psoriasis has been part of my life for many years, but it has never defined what I can do. It has influenced certain decisions and experiences, but it has also contributed to the way I think about health, resilience and creating inclusive spaces for others.

My hope in sharing this story is to help increase understanding of psoriasis and highlight the importance of supportive environments in sport and fitness, so that more people feel able to participate without hesitation or fear of judgment.