‘I had a light-bulb moment following my accident’
Niki French, 52, is the CEO of Pup Talk, a dog-training business, and lives with her boyfriend Ash, 51, in Twickenham.
I heard a loud screech and suddenly I was lying on tarmac, my bike a tangled mess beside me. It was August 2014, and I’d been hit by a car while cycling to my job as a sales and marketing director in London. Lying there – bloodied but with nothing broken – I told paramedics I didn’t want to go to A&E.
My bruises faded and I was soon back at work. But after a short time I developed pain in my shoulders and, worryingly, problems with my memory. I’d forget colleagues’ names and mix up similar words like ‘people’ and ‘purple’.
My GP sent me for an MRI in November 2014, which revealed some bruising on my brain. ‘It might repair itself,’ the neurologist told me, but he couldn’t be certain.
As one of the few women in my company, I felt exposed when I stammered in the boardroom or forgot important details. I struggled on, hoping things would improve. After a couple of years, I tried going part-time. But I’d still end up coming home in tears of frustration.
By 2018, I knew I needed to make a change, but had no idea what I’d do. Then in December, when at a Christmas lunch with a friend, she mentioned she had looked into becoming a dog trainer.
It was a light-bulb moment. I love dogs, and this was something I could do. I handed in my notice two days later and signed up for online training, taking on dog-walking work to support myself.
This story is from the September 28, 2021 edition of WOMAN'S WEEKLY.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 28, 2021 edition of WOMAN'S WEEKLY.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Patchwork PROJECTS
Easy ideas to show off English paper-piecing techniques
Night train to BERLIN
Germany's exciting and varied capital is now reachable by train from the UK
French FANCY
Raymond Blanc's right-hand man, Benoit Blin's favourite bakes
Are you missing out on BENEFITS?
Here's how to find out what you are eligible for
TRAY bien
All-in-one tray bakes, packed with flavour
We took a grown-up GAP YEAR!
Who says taking time out is just for students?
'I'm obsessed with reality TV!'
THIS WEEK'S COLUMNIST Author and presenter Louise Minchin
What to eat and do for A HEALTHIER GUT
Fix those problems and boost your wellbeing
Picture palaces
In an age of cinema complexes, we celebrate five historic and beautiful picture houses that have stood the test of time
'My diet during Bake Off is cake and alcohol!'
Dame Prue Leith on the popular baking contest