Over the years, I have met many personal trainers and I noticed that so many of them REALLY wanted to be a personal trainer. Some had experienced a high level of sport and naturally gravitated to PT to share their knowledge and passion for strength and conditioning. Some had lost huge amounts of weight through exercise and wanted to inspire and help others. Others had simply become fed-up with their desk bound careers and saw PT as the perfect contrast to sitting all day.
My journey was a little bit different... Growing up, I played many sports including years of tap and jazz dancing. Being active was about having fun and being social rather being competitive. I certainly never considered myself 'athletic', let alone be able to help others with fitness, until I really started started running. This broke down my limiting beliefs about who is a "runner". I also knew that if I didn't exercise, my asthma would suffer. I was taken to hospital more times than I can remember and spent many nights at home on a nebulizer (a machine that helps you breathe). My parents tried a variety of less common ways to support my health. I was regularly at the doctors but also having treatment from Reflexologists, Bowen therapists, Kinesiologists, Massage Therapists, Yoga, Naturopaths, attending asthma camps and going on specific eliminating diets.
After spending a year in Switzerland at age 16, I become more aware of different lifestyles and ways of eating. When I returned, I thought I wanted to study Dietetics. However, it was extremely challenging to be accepted into the course.
I nearly failed chemistry in high school and I was told I’d never be suited to a science degree. Wrong 😑
And when I was accepted into Nutritional Medicine I was told I couldn’t work 1:1 once I was qualified… also wrong. 😭🤯
I attended Flinders University in Adelaide Australia to study Nutrition (Health Sciences), where I achieved a high distinction for Chemistry. I had envisioned working for myself but had no idea how that looked. All I saw was a room with four walls and a desk and no plan how to market myself. I presumed people would ask about exercise if they wanted to know about nutrition. From my perspective, they always went hand-in-hand. So I studied personal training alongside my final year of university and paid off the course working in cocktail bars at all hours of the night.
My first job after university was in health promotion at a hospital in a rural town. I also instructed a barbell (pump style) class, a boxing class and then a few people took up Personal Training at the local YMCA. During that year, I trained to be a fitness boxing trainer and Zumba instructor (when it was all the rage!). I will never forget the first class which brought enough women to fill more than a basketball court size room! This was a rural area where most people gathered at the pub or football. The room was so full of energy I nearly cried afterwards from the high! Through the hospital I worked alongside the physiotherapist and exercise physiologist offering older adults a seated exercise class, new mums classes, and worked with patients with chronic health disease. I gained an immense amount of insight into the importance of policy change for better health outcomes, even at the local government level. I presented at schools to children and parents (farm safety, health eating, lunchbox ideas, wellness courses (including meditation/ breathing for teens to reduce stress). I helped organise a community fun run, a mums' "walk and talk" group and a swimming bus to take people into the larger town nearby with an indoor pool. I also hosted a 10 week nutrition group program. Workplace health promotion was on the rise and I was excited at the opportunity to help an array of people through the a different setting rather than just individuals. I presented on sleep, stress, and nutrition. This was one of the biggest growth years for my career. I've only listed a few of the highlights!
With my new found excitement for workplace health I searched Australia for a workplace health promotion jobs and landed in Melbourne. Unfortunately, the first company I worked for was more focused on profits than implementing company specific, effective strategies. This was an eye opening experience and I left feeling burnt out and disheartened.
Next stop - a French cafe. Yes - I think I'd lost my mojo. It was a delicious side step and I can now make a great latte and know too much about macaroons. I then worked as a cosmetic surgeon receptionist...
Getting a bit desperate to find a fulfilling job, I leaned on my PT qualification and found the most magical beachside gym. It was a beautiful setting with however it was not a good fit and by the time I left I never wanted to PT again.
A reception job came up at an inner-city gym and I went along with the intention of just working to be paid. My confidence was extremely low. But I stayed for four years, built up my personal training clients, took classes and presentations alongside managing the sales, marketing, some finances and daily coordination of the gym. I'm so grateful for the community of members and staff. It was such a career-changing experience to learn about all areas of business and have a manager/gym owner who let me find my feet again. I met my amazing kiwi husband during this time.
The idea of moving to NZ was never on my radar until Shane and I had a South Island holiday. About 6 months later we moved to NZ - I was ready for a new challenge! There weren't many gyms around. Health promotion jobs were scarce and most wanted a strong understanding of the Maori culture or a Dietetics degree.
I still didn't identify as a PT but I took a six week '"fill-in" role in gym reception and ended up Personal Training there for 10 years! I also worked at a supplement company in the early days while I was building up clients. It was great insight into the supplements available and I was blown away by the questions people would ask and the level of misinformation out there. It was a great opportunity to educate and also appreciate my own knowledge. I've also hosted wellness retreats focusing on goal setting, stress, recovery, gut health and myofascial release.
Working in gyms hasn't been without the challenges of body judgement from other PTs and gym members, and that seemed to increase during my pregnancy. For someone who hasn't always been comfortable in their skin I'm proud that I was able to swim rather than sink through these challenges. After having my daughter I jumped back into work to build my business back up. COVID-19 hit not long after I returned so I took the opportunity to set up a small studio at home. I filmed live workouts which were fun for the challenge but it didn't fulfill me as much as working in-person with clients and building those relationships. We went through a long year of Earthquake Commission (EQC) repairs so I worked from the Sumner Rugby Sports bar. Given people were willing to train with minimal equipment at a venue that smelt of beer made me realise there was a huge demand for my skills in the community!
Six months later I quit the gym and I'm now loving working from my evolving home studio as a Personal Trainer offering Nutrition coaching, small group fitness sessions on a stunning beach and a seated class at the local aged care facility. I've finally added reformer Pilates to my repertoire after being exposed to it in Melbourne 12 years ago. This enables me to build more awareness of mobility, recovery, breath and mindfulness. No four boring walls, no set desk, flexibility in my day and surrounded by nature.
Three months after Shane and I met, he had to have emergency open heart surgery. He has had to have multiple surgeries since then, with extensive recovery. One surgery left him with a permeant nerve injury to his leg that negatively impacts his physical ability every day and has taken a huge toll on his mental health. Even though this has been difficult, our journey has made me more passionate about helping people (and myself) become more functionally fit and to encourage strategies that support mental health. It also drives me to want more out of every precious day and to appreciate that being fit, able and healthy is not a given but exercise has huge benefits.
The ability to train people is a huge privilege. Our bodies are our "homes" and when people trust me to improve their body for the future, it is extremely humbling and rewarding. Unpacking what people truly want and, and coaching them towards their healthiest lifestyle is a journey that I thrive on being a part of.
I endeavour to apply all the latest verified research, but also feel blessed to have had an upbringing that valued being open to less mainstream approaches. I believe that "wisest is she who knows she does not know" and thus am committed to constant upskilling and education as I grow as a personal trainer, nutritionist and human. x
I'm extremely grateful for all the clients who have supported me personally and professionally - many of whom valued my contribution even before I valued it myself.
I never wanted to be a PT, but it has found me. The opportunity to genuinely help people with their physical and mental health in a truly authentic way gives me so much meaning and I am thankful every day for this.
