Anna Heinrich’s confession after dominating course on SAS Australia

Reality TV star Anna Heinrich has shown up professional athletes on an SAS obstacle course, but it’s what she said afterwards that surprised them.

Australian TV personality Anna Heinrich has been labelled a “machine” after smashing an obstacle course on SAS Australia where she forged ahead of all the other contestants.

But it was what the 35-year-old told the directional staff afterwards that surprised them.

Heinrich, who won the heart of Tim Robards on Australia’s first season of The Bachelor, amazed viewers with her determination on Monday night’s episode.

The obstacle course was an “extreme test of endurance” that was designed to push recruits, many of whom are current or former professional athletes, to beyond their physical limits.

Heinrich was partnered up with AFL great Barry Hall and the pair soon led the pack, with Heinrich at one point having to slow down to match Hall’s speed after she got ahead.

Anna Heinrich and Barry Hall led the pack on the SAS Australia obstacle course. Picture: Channel 7

Heinrich slowed down to encourage Hall. Picture: Channel 7

Afterwards, directional staff (DS) brought Heinrich in for an “interrogation” where they unpack the recruits’ psychological barriers

Heinrich revealed in life she is one to “cruise” and not do anything too difficult, and it was her husband’s belief in her that convinced her to do the show.

“I kept telling my family that I’d be back probably in a couple of days,” she said.

“And I think I just do that with everything. I always go into it with a really negative mindset.

“It’s just everything I do, I feel I’m not good enough until I’ve done it.

“My whole life I’ve had to prove to everybody that I’m more than just blonde hair and I think it’s just stayed with me and I haven’t felt confident until I’ve done something, so I think it’s just stemmed from a young age.”

DS were surprised by Heinrich’s view, with Ollie Ollerton making clear she needed to have more belief in herself.

“From a DS point of view, since day one we’ve been like wow what a serious contender and honestly we don’t give out those compliments,” he said.

Heinrich surprised DS with her lack of confidence. Picture: Channel 7

Viewers praised Heinrich on social media, calling her inspirational, a machine and a champion.

“Your determination and drive is second to none. Just listening to your interview with the DS surprised me as you always appear so confident – perceptions on social media portray that,” wrote one woman.

“Anna is amazing – what a champ. She’s not a professional athlete, she’s a reality show girl,” wrote another.

Heinrich’s husband Tim Robards gave her the “nudge” she needed to go on SAS Australia. Picture: Instagram

Some more critical viewers were quick to call out the suggestion that she wasn’t physically strong.

In a clip shown during the obstacle course, that was taken at a later time, Heinrich said: “I want to show to my family, my husband and my daughter, that I am strong and capable of doing something like this and you don’t have to have that physical strength. It’s about the mental strength.”

One social media user wrote: “Anna is a fitness freak, it doesn’t surprise me at all she smashes a body weight challenge. Give her a route march and stores carry and she’ll struggle.”

Another added: “Anna suggesting she doesn’t have physical strength is a of a fib. She’s fit with great cardio capacity, and is clearly strong (though not obviously muscly).”

Originally published as Anna Heinrich’s confession after dominating course on SAS Australia