A fitness expert from Mortlake and the UK's leading Barre expert and teacher has taken on the challenge of a lifetime, after participating in Channel 4's SAS: Who Dares Wins.

Vicki Anstey, 40, is the founder of the Barreworks Studio in Richmond. She decided to apply for the hit show, which puts contestants through the SAS's secret selection process, testing their physical and psychological resilience.

This year's show was the first that women were allowed to participate and based on the first episode, it's a change that should have been introduced much sooner.

Amongst the numerous challenges, Vicki could be seen lifting an 85KG man on her shoulders and 30 KG rock over her head.

 

Vicki carrying one of the male contestants on her shoulders (Image: C4).

She and the other women performed admirably in the first episode. Vicki said: "It was one of the hardest things I have done but it was also a massive privilege to be on the show.

"I turned 40 last year and I am going through a divorce at the moment, I just wanted to do something on my own to inspire other women.

"I can't believe I did it and while I can't say where I finished, I did pretty well. The trainers, including Ant Middleton, are ex-SAS soldiers. They really put us to the test.

"There weren't any hidden tricks or inflatables at the bottom, it was just us in the freezing elements in Chile. The treated us like they would treat SAS recruits.

"They really challenged us and we were pushed to the limit. It was inspiring being in front of the ex-soldiers.

"We all became very close, very quickly and have formed life-long friendships, it's such a unique experience that we shared.

"It was the hardest thing I have done but it was in no way like the actual SAS recruitment process which takes six months."

 

Contestants were put through a gruelling six weeks in Chile. The show is aired every Sunday on Channel 4. (Image: C4)

Vicki is one of three contestants who are over 40 but this didn't make the challenge harder for them, she said: "Being older didn't inhibit us at all, I actually think we were fitter than some of the younger contestants.

"I also think we were able to cope with the mental side of the show."

Vicki Anstey is the UK's leading fitness and Barre expert. She is on the current series of Channel 4's SAS Who Dares Wins, which airs every Sunday at 9:00 pm.