India Morse

'Instead of walking out of studios feeling empowered, I'd be close to tears, feeling lost and alone – the fast-paced environments meant I couldn’t lip-read the trainer's instructions and the usually dark environments meant I couldn’t follow along – I felt like I didn't belong there.' As we celebrate Deaf Awareness Week, India Morse, a deaf fitness instructor and Women’s Health Collective trainer, is calling for more gyms and fitness classes to be inclusive for those in the deaf community. At the link in bio, India shares why gyms being inclusive is so close to her heart, and why it's so important to encourage better communication between deaf and hearing individuals. Tap to read.

I’m on the cover of @womenshealthuk January issue!! Somebody pinch me right now 😍 I always dreamt of be on the cover but never expected it’ll happen… To someone who’s deaf / disabled like me who constantly breaking down barriers every day that thinks it isn’t going anywhere…but you MUST believe in yourself, passionate in what you do, keep doing what you are doing because it is always worth it. Always chasing your dream, so ready for 2024 with the team. Very honoured and grateful to be part of @womenshealthuk 🤍 #womenhealth #fitness #breakingbarriers #strongwomen #deafcommunity #strong

Still feeling surreal…to be part of @womenshealthuk to introduce myself to the team and I’m excited to work with them to see what it brings💪🏻 All those years I’ve been working hard to break those barriers myself, sometimes I wonder if it ever gets anywhere so it is never easy but it is really rewarding when they notice my work, my determination and my effort, also to support me. It’s ongoing progress to improve accessibility in fitness industry..even a small step further do matter so much, this is my passion to do what I love and for everyone to be included. ‘Don’t give up when it get tough’ #breakingbarriers #fitness #deafcommunity #strength #inclusion #accessibility @womenshealthuk @womenshealthcollectiveuk

This week is Deaf Awareness Week, and we wanted to raise awareness by celebrating one of our incredible runners from April’s Ultra X Spring Trail Series. India Morse is a Deaf PT and accessibility advocate who took on the 50mile distance, her longest race to date! We asked her how she felt the event went: “I genuinely thought I’d hate it, but somewhere along the way I fell in love with the challenge. Ultra running showed me how much the body and mind can really do. What I loved most was the teamwork and support around me from the very start. You quickly realise ultra running is never just about one person. I’m still amazed at what the human body can do!” From all of us at Ultra X, we wanted to wish a MASSIVE congratulations to India, our #FinisherFriday for the week on Deaf Awareness Week. We hope to see you at another one in the future 💙 You can follow India at @youleanmeup

I wasn’t always this confident… As a deaf person, stepping into new spaces used to feel uncomfortable. I would second guess myself, wonder if I would be understood, and wonder if I even belonged there… So I stayed quiet and I stayed small. Hiding at the back of fitness classes, watching instead of stepping forward. My confidence and self-esteem were at their lowest but confidence doesn’t come from being heard. It comes from showing up, even when it feels hard... Little by little, I stopped shrinking myself. I started trusting myself. I started taking up space. That changed everything. It didn’t happen overnight. It took time, patience and took of uncomfortable moments… That’s the journey. You don’t need to hear the noise to know your worth and you just need to keep showing up. #deafidentity #deafness #deafcommunity @precisionfandh

Today is BSL Day I’m a proud BSL user, it’s my language, my identity, and how I express myself fully. My content doesn’t rely on sound but my message is loud. Loud in my determination, loud in breaking down barriers and loud n showing what’s possible. Standing on that stage, teaching BSL, high fiving children, creating a space where they feel seen that’s what this is all about… Thank you London Marathon for continuing to make the space more inclusive, it matters more than you know. Accessibility isn’t a bonus. It’s what allows people to belong. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t - go show the world what you can do. To every deaf child watching this you can do big things! @londonmarathon @minilondonmarathon #deafcommunity #inclusion #accessability #bsl #signlanguage

Two finish lines. One week. I’m still trying to process it. Let’s talk about you @londonmarathon what a day. A day I’m genuinely so proud of myself. I couldn’t stop smiling the whole way round…the crowd gave me everything - cheering, clapping, little kids running over for high fives… As a deaf runner, I don’t hear it the same way, but I feel it and that energy carried me from start to finish. Run, walk, smile… just taking it all in. Honestly, I need a moment to reflect on what I’ve just done this week, because it feels a bit unreal. An ultra… and then the London Marathon. Make it make sense…. So grateful for every single bit of support!! ❤️ thank you @londonmarathon #londonmarathon

Daddy Pig is taking on the 2026 TCS London Marathon to fundraise for @ndcs_uk . 🐷 💜 Today he met @jodieounsley - one of the UK’s youngest cochlear implant recipients at 14 months old. She is a former England rugby sevens player who uses her platform to advocate for deaf awareness, showing that profound deafness is not a barrier to elite sports. And she’s doing this by currently learning British Sign Language (BSL). Deciding he wanted to start learning, we asked our friend @youleanmeup to teach them some signs to support someone doing the marathon. 🙌

26.04.26 “The loudest thing about me is my determination. I’ve done the work. Now time to trust the process…”

First ultra. 80km. 13 hours. I knew I could do it…I just didn’t know what it would take. This wasn’t a mindset battle for me. Mentally, I was ready but physically? That’s where I was tested. At some point, every step had to be earned. Legs heavy, body tired, fuel on repeat…just finding a way to keep moving forward. No shortcuts, no magic moment, just consistency, patience, and trusting the work I’ve put in. And somehow…we got to the finish line. I’m officially an ultra runner now?? 🥹 This one means so much more than just a distance. It’s proof of what the body can do when you respect it, look after it, and keep showing up even when it’s not pretty. Thank you @lewis_robling , my coach, for never doubting me for a second. Thank you @blue_door_clinic for keeping my body strong and helping me injury-free going into this. Thank you Tom @tthartshorne for saying yes and supporting me through 13 hours out there - it truly made a difference. @precisionfandh make sure I’m all fuelled up throughout. It’s all for @signhealth to supporting deaf people’s health and wellbeing. That purpose carried me through. @ultraxco @ultraxuk incredible supporters and I finally say that I’m very proud. And to everyone who supported, donated, and followed along…it honestly meant the world and kept me going more than you know ❤️ #ultra #ultramarathon #running #deafcommunity #running

This shouldn’t feel special… but it did. This weekend blew me away how it was shaped to make something so special! Deaf and hearing runners already run together but I’ve never seen a brand intentionally create a space like this where Deaf people are fully included. @newbalancerunning BSL everywhere. No guessing. No missing out. Interpreters involved. People actually making the effort to learn and sign with us.. Make this the standard. Big step forward from @newbalancerunning & @londonmarathon 👏🏻 A special thank you to Karina & Louise for going above and beyond to bring @deafrunclub together. 2 weeks to go until TCS London Marathon…let’s carry this energy to the start line! #inclusion #deafcommunity #running #accessability captured beautifully by @adrianvarzaru

Sign Language Week - It’s more than just a language.. ❤️ It’s connection. It’s community. It’s freedom. You’d think the deaf community is small… but it never feels it. Every time I meet new faces, I’m reminded how many of us are out there - living, connecting, showing up in our own spaces. We can sign anywhere. Even in the dark. No lipreading, no guessing, no exhaustion trying to keep up..it’s just a pure and natural communication. That feeling… is freedom. . Sign language creates spaces where we don’t have to adapt - we just belong. This week is a reminder that accessibility isn’t extra. It’s essential! So whether you’re deaf, hearing, or somewhere in between - learn it, use it, be part of it! @deafrunclub @simonrphoto @londonmarathon #deafcommunity #signlanguageweek #deaf #runningcommunity #inclusion