In this interview with a graduate, I am delighted to introduce you to Joe Chapman,Personal Trainer and Celebrant. Joe took both our Wedding Celebrant Training and our Funeral Celebrant Training and he was such a joy to work with. He’s a natural presenter and a wonderful listener and I know everyone he supports in his role as a celebrant is going to be uplifted and feel so grateful. He continues to work as a personal trainer and celebrant – two very different roles, but totally focussed on people. He conducts services across the South West.
The Long Road to Becoming a Celebrant
What first led you to exploring the idea of becoming a celebrant?
I first enquired about becoming a celebrant when I was 25. I approached a training academy but was told I needed a little more life experience, which I agreed with at the time. Then at 37, I decided to take the plunge. I’d always wanted to be a celebrant, but I can’t really tell you why, I just felt drawn to it. I’m quite at ease with public speaking, and people are my passion.
Exceeding Expectations with the Training
Was it what you expected it to be?
It exceeded my expectations, as the training with Dinah was exceptional. From start to finish, the training fully prepared me for being a successful celebrant. I enjoyed every moment of it.
What Joe Loved About Funeral and Wedding Training
You took both our funeral celebrant and wedding celebrant training programmes, can you share one thing you enjoyed most from each programme?
For the funeral celebrant training, I enjoyed exploring how to create unique and meaningful ceremonies. I feel the training set me up for success when it comes to creating individual ceremonies. There will be no copy and paste in any ceremony I deliver.
For the wedding celebrant training, I enjoyed exploring how wedding questionnaires can be a fantastic way of getting to know your couples, and also keeping in touch with them throughout the entire process.
Bringing Personal Training Skills to Celebrancy
I know you’re a very successful personal trainer already. What skills do you think you bring from that work to your work as a celebrant?
My work as a personal trainer has set me up for success as a celebrant. Both roles are very people-centric, and you have to be able to adapt to people’s emotions. I also teach group exercise classes, so I’m used to public speaking on a daily basis. Personal training is working one-to-one with someone, and quite a lot of the time you’re working very closely with one other person as a celebrant too, especially for funerals.
Balancing Fitness and Celebrancy
And how does that work sit alongside the work you’re now doing as a celebrant?
At the moment, I’m building my celebrant practice alongside my fitness work. I chose to become a celebrant mainly because I wanted to be one, but it also gives me some flexibility and diversity alongside my fitness role. It’s also something I can do self-employed, as all my other work is too.
What Joe Has Enjoyed Most So Far
You’ve already been in demand for funerals. What have you most enjoyed about the role so far?
I find supporting families extremely rewarding. You are there for them at a crucial time when they need support and guidance. I have enjoyed creating unique and meaningful ceremonies for all my families and making sure their loved ones are remembered not only on the day itself, but beyond and into the future.
The Weddings Joe Is Looking Forward To
What types of wedding ceremony are you looking forward to creating?
I’m really looking forward to creating ceremonies that show the couple’s family and friends exactly who they are. Because the legal part will already be complete, a wedding celebrant ceremony gives you the freedom to have exactly the wedding you want, and indeed deserve.
Five Things About Joe, the Person
- I’m a perfectionist, and will make sure things are right, including my ceremonies, before they are delivered.
- I’m a huge royalist, especially royal history, and read countless books about the subject.
- I am fascinated by the American presidency, and again read countless books and watch many documentaries about it. Regardless of who the president is, say no more. The presidency fascinates me, not necessarily the person holding office.
- I’m a super fan of Zac Efron, and watch every film or project he does. I’ve been a committed fan since 2006.
- I’m the person who’s probably got a spreadsheet or itinerary for anything.
- I adore palm trees, and photograph them or search for pictures whenever I see them, especially the Canary Island date palm, which grows in so many places around the world.
You can contact Joe via Instagram here
