When I was 21 I headed to the United States and worked as a fitness professional in a gym in Raleigh, North Carolina. And due to that country’s lack of education and training standards back then (PT hadn’t been invented – yep, that’s how long ago we’re talking!), having gone through the ACHPER fitness leader courses, my knowledge of program prescription was considered exemplary; I was a living, breathing Goddess of Fitness! I mean, to the overweight, oversized-portion-loving Yanks that came into my gym, my knowledge of how to exercise and my overly-smiley demeanour meant I had a waiting list of people wanting to work with me that was longer than the queue at the drive-thru banks (yes, they really did have those over there – I really don’t understand why obesity rates are so high in the US, do you?).
Back in Oz, however, compared to the high achievers in my class, my fitness knowledge was most likely very basic; but, over there, I was like Chuck Wolf or an undiscovered Paul Chek (minus the controversy… and a whole lot shorter, of course).
The wonderful thing about having a passion for, or career in fitness is that it really can take you anywhere in the world – be that for pleasure, charity, challenge or as a work opportunity (qualifications and visa permissions pending, of course!).
So, I sat down with a few local fit folks, to hear their tales of where fitness has taken them. And this is what I discovered…
Ana Coppola competes overseas
Brazilian-born Ana Coppola made the right decision when she abandoned a Law Degree to study English in London and then to be a Personal Trainer in Spain. Landing in Australia in 2008, Ana started working at Fitness First in Sydney and is now a senior personal trainer at the Randwick club.
She has gone on to start her own personal training business Coppola Training & Health Coaching (www.coppolatraining.com.au), and in the past two years has worked hard to create the body she has always dreamed of.
Now a fitness model sponsored by Australian Sports Nutrition Bondi and Brasilfit gym wear, Ana has participated in several Fitness Modelling competitions throughout Australia gaining second place in both the INBA QLD Tropix 2012 and INBA City Nationals 2013. In 2013 she qualified to compete at the INBA World Championship 2013 in Greece.
Toni Krasicki enjoyed Sharing Bali
Nestled in the hills 40 minutes north west of Ubud, ‘Sharing Bali’ (www.sharingbali.com) have been running health and fitness retreats for small groups since 2009. It’s the perfect holiday if you want to work on your fitness, eat healthy meals, relax and see a bit of the island without the distractions the resort areas in Bali present. There’s no WiFi so you’re 100 per cent present to the training, natural surrounds and the other guests you’re training with, and the nearest swanky bar isn’t in cooee distance so, instead, you get to embrace the beauty of the rice paddies, jungle and volcanoes that surround the property.
Group exercise instructor and travel writer Toni Krasicki, joined one of the five-night / six-day boot camps, which was run by Kari Deane, a PT from ProSports in Melbourne. She says, “The program included a few training sessions a day in the early morning and late afternoon that ranged from boxing, yoga, running, and circuits using rice sacks filled with volcanic soil, kettle bells and obstacle bars made from bamboo and coconuts. We also did a jungle walk, a cycle tour and one morning woke at 2.30am to hike up to Mt Batur volcano to watch the sun rise over the lake. After the descent there was a soothing soak in the pristine hot springs by the lake, which was a hit with the group. It’s not a five-star resort, but comfortable and welcoming as it’s more about the training than fancy frills.” She adds, “Sharing Bali is a really unique opportunity for fitness professionals and fitness fans alike, to take their training to new and exciting levels, while also enjoying a totally different culture and environment.”
Zanna Conlon encourages Active Escapes
Through his business ‘Active Escapes’ (www.activeescapes.com.au), Zanna Conlon provides holiday experiences with a difference. Using the planet’s most spectacular vacation destinations as a backdrop, Active Escapes give fitness professionals and fanatics the opportunity to partake in a well-balanced retreat, where surfing and training activities are perfectly combined with sunshine, cuisine and socialising.
Renown for their six-night retreat in the hidden Balinese gem called Echo Beach, Canggu – this experience boasts luxurious villa accommodation and has been designed by experienced trainers to offer specialised fitness training, surfing and ropes courses. However, more recently Zanna added to the portfolio of offerings, a surf trip to the Maldives. He says, “I appreciate that most people don’t have a lot of time to get away, let alone plan an exciting adventure. By making all the location and facility arrangements, we allow our guests to concentrate on enjoying themselves, whether it is in the surf or socialising on land.
All they have to do is show up and enjoy an unforgettable experience.” He adds, “To me, fitness and fun are not mutually exclusive, and that idea – along with the concept of encouraging adventure – was the inspiration behind Active Escapes.”
Diane Westaway puts Wild Women on Top
Diane Westaway has been putting Wild Women On Top (www.wildwomenontop.com) of the highest peaks all over the world for the past 14 years. It all began when Di was invited to climb the highest mountain in the Southern Hemisphere – Mount Aconcagua, at 6,982m. “I said ‘yes’ because I knew it would take my strength and fitness to a new level, as well as motivate me to prioritise my training into my lifestyle as a working mum.’
And ever since that fateful adventure, Di has personally taken a hundred or so women to some of the tallest peaks in the world, while her team of coaches have taken several hundred. “We love to inspire women to transform their lives through trek training,” Di explains. “Actually, I like being upside down so my own personal mission is to do the world’s highest handstand!”
Together with her passionate team of adventurers, Di inspires women to take their fitness internationally by training and leading them on extreme challenges in remote trek locations such as Machu Picchu, Bhutan, Everest Base Camp and Kilimanjaro. “We really do thrive on motivating women to get fit,” she says.
Simone Campbell competed in London as one of Life Fitness’ top 10 Global PTs
After 15 years in the Royal Australian Air Force serving her country, Simone Campbell was ready for a new adventure. Her motto is “life begins at the end of your comfort zone”, and she believes that anything is possible and all you have to do is try. With this in mind she launched Summit Fitness Studio (SFS) (www.summitfitnessstudio.com.au) in 2009 enabling her to help members of the community “change the way they think about exercise” and help empower change in people’s lives.
“Since leaving the Defence Force my passion, motivation and unique ability to allow people to excel has put me in the leading percentage of the fitness field. And as a mother of three, I feel it’s important to be a role model, to teach and educate on how to assist others in our community”, says Simone.
Founder of the recently launched organisation, ‘FearLess’, which supports and assists members of the community and their families who suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Simone has fulfilled a life-long dream to work with those suffering from mental illness. When she’s not training and motivating her SFS clients she’s heavily involved in community youth projects that includes training, motivating and assisting local youth shelters.
Her dedication and knowledge have earned her a place as one of the top finalists in Life Fitness’ “Personal Trainers to Watch” 2013.
Jaimee Rogers completed the Hawaii Marathon
“In 2011 I decided I wanted to start running but was absolutely hopeless and struggled to last 2km before I felt like I was going to have an asthma attack,” says Jamiee Rogers. But after getting past the 2km wall, she began entering 5km, 7km and eventually 10km races, then in 2012 half marathons.
Encouraged by her friend Corrie, Jamiee was motivated to run the 2013 Honolulu Marathon, and began training. She ran four times a week, which included a long run that worked on increasing distance each week, sprint sessions, Bikram yoga and weight training to strengthen the legs. However, during a 3-day race five months before Hawaii she sustained a hip injury, ending her training and dream of running the marathon.
“By the time the marathon came around in December, I wasn’t sure I would run it as my hip was still playing up, but was still going along to support Corrie”, explains Jamiee. Once in Waikiki Jamiee got caught up in the atmosphere, collected her race pack and decided she “couldn’t miss it”.
“It took me 6 hours to complete the race (2 hours longer than my original planned time pre injury), but with all the crowds cheering, and all the camaraderie of the athletes, the 6 hours flew”, she says. “I had the time of my life, and by far one of the best experiences. I have recommended it to everyone I know, as you don’t need to be a marathon runner to compete in this race. A positive attitude will get you through.”
Sylwia Konopska cruised the seven seas as a Personal Trainer
Currently working on board Sydney based Carnival Cruise Lines’ Carnival Spirit, Polish personal trainer Sylwia Konopska hit the high seas at the beginning of 2014 as a first time employee. Employed by the Onboard Spa Company, a major spa and fitness operator on cruise ships around the world, Sylwia says she loves having the opportunity to inspire and motivate people on a daily basis.
“This is a great job for anyone who is passionate about the fitness and wellness industry and has an interest in educating people about living a healthier lifestyle,” she says. “When people are on holiday they are usually quite relaxed and they’re often interested in improving their lifestyle, so it can be really rewarding.”
Sylwie teaches a range of fitness programs including yoga, Pilates, group cycling, boot camp and a brand new results-based training, which is designed for guests to continue at home once their holiday ends. Specialising in personal training, she also conducts seminars and provides private nutritional consultations and detoxification programs, which are designed to help guests achieve their long-term health and fitness goals.
Every week she gets to meet hundreds of different guests from all over the world and she says that it’s particularly satisfying when guests return for another cruise and she notices how healthy they are looking thanks to the fitness programs she has provided. “Knowing that I’ve helped guests to achieve their personal fitness goals is the best motivation for me,” says Sylwie.