Believe you me, I wasn’t always a “fitness freak”, as some might say. Growing up, my parents weren’t exactly sporty. The most active thing we did as a family was the occasional hike while camping. My dad only really took up cycling again in his 50s, after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, but otherwise, exercise wasn’t a regular part of our household.
High school? That was all about avoiding sports at all costs. Running? Absolutely not. I had low iron levels and, believe me, I milked that excuse for all it was worth to skip running events. I did, however, join the power walking club… mostly because the route went past the boys’ school. My chosen “movement” back then was the drama class and the hip-hop dance class I attended once a week.
Not much changed when I went to varsity, except for some weight gain which slowly built up to being 20kgs heavier than when I was in school. Whenever I tried to lose weight, I’d go straight for 5 km runs, because that’s all I knew. I never felt confident, and more importantly, I never had the knowledge to use the weight section at the gym.
That all changed in 2020, after COVID, when I started training with a personal trainer. For the first time, I learned how to lift weights, and I fell in love with strength training and powerlifting. I remember realizing, “Hey, I’m actually ridiculously strong!” Over the next two years, I trained hard, competed in powerlifting, and built the most incredible circle of gym girls around me. Physically, I looked the best I ever had, and I say that not from vanity, but because I finally felt confident.
During that time, my trainer also gave me a meal plan, and that’s when I really started to learn about nutrition. Then, I moved abroad. My weight naturally fluctuated, not because I stopped caring, but because I was immersed in a whole new culture, surrounded by incredible food I wasn’t about to say no to. Flavoured ice creams, buttery croissants, creamy gnocchi, rich risotto… plus, we had a chef preparing delicious meals every day. It was also one of the most exhausting, high-pressure jobs I’ve ever done, so food became both comfort and fuel.
By the end of 2023, I was back training with a personal trainer and working with a nutrition coach. This is where I took my knowledge deeper. Then, after being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the end of 2024, I pushed myself to learn even more about nutrition, blood sugar management, and training.
I continue to strength train and have no current plans to return to competitive powerlifting. However, I am now training for something completely different, my first national aerial sport competition, where I’ll be swinging from heights in my lyra.
I’ve learned that knowledge truly is power. We’re always evolving, learning, growing, and adapting. I know my body will change again, especially when I have children one day, but I’m not worried. As long as I keep learning, prioritising my health, and helping others along the way, I’m doing my best. For me, it’s all about living each day in balance.