Hobart’s most inspiring fitness journeys, transformations

From the courageous who have overcome life-threatening illness, older individuals wanting to defy age, mother’s trying to set an example for their children, incredible weight loss results and champion powerlifters who started from scratch, our city is home to some phenomenal fitness journeys. PHOTOS + THEIR INSPIRING STORIES

From the courageous who have overcome life-threatening illness, older individuals wanting to defy age, mother’s trying to set an example for their children, incredible weight loss results and champion powerlifters who started from scratch, our city is home to some phenomenal fitness journeys.

The fitness industry in Hobart is as strong as it’s ever been, with gyms popping up throughout the suburbs and more personal trainers eager and ready to lend a hand.

Matthew Mckay owns Raw Strength Tasmania and said it wasn’t just people in their 20s who wanted to create healthier habits.

“Our youngest client is 12 and the oldest was 83. They’re all different ages, races, gender; it’s people from all backgrounds we are helping,” Mr Mckay said.

“I have a woman who’s just started with me who has MS. She’s started training to try and reduce the symptoms.

Matthew McKay. Picture : Mireille Merlet

“Another client has Alzheimer’s disease and they’re trying to reduce the symptoms as well.”

Mr Mckay said there was a bounty of reasons people should enjoy an active lifestyle, but in today’s climate improved mental health was one of the most important.

“There’s been a massive increase in mental health and active lifestyles help reduce that,” he said.

“So everyone should be doing something physical.”

Mr Mckay said being a personal trainer was a rewarding career and he loved “to see people kick their goals”.

“If you have the ability to help someone and you don’t you’re a bit of a d-ck.

“I have the ability to help people. I’m a highly skilled coach at a budget price helping people reach their goals that otherwise they couldn’t, and that’s a good feeling.”

The Mercury asked Hobart’s gyms and personal trainers who their most inspiring clients were.

See the list of Hobart’s most inspiring fitness journeys below.

Raw Strength Tasmania

Melitta Wedd, 52

Melitta began her fitness journey because of bullying, arthritis and chronic pain.

She’s gained self confidence from strength and won the Oceanias Powerlifting competition.

Melitta’s done exceptionally well to continue lifting and training through pain and a hip replacement but her confidence gained makes it all worth it.

Brooke O’Neill, 30

Brooke began working out because of depression, anxiety and eating disorders associated with these.

She’s lost 25kg in the last 10 months with RAW Strength programming and personal training.

Brooke O’Neill.

Brooke’s gained a bunch of confidence to the degree she can now work out independently and in fitness attire not baggy clothes to hide away.

We’re beyond proud of Brooke, her growth is something everyone should aspire to achieve.

Joanne Edwards, 52

Joanne began her fitness journey because of anxiety and panic disorder exacerbated by the pandemic.

She broke the world record in bench press and squat at the Oceania Championships.

Joanne is one of the all time greats of strength training and her commitment to continue lifting through her recent personal struggles shows great personal strength. Even through tears.

Phil Menzie

Phil is blind after he lost his vision at just 6 years old.

Phil usually trains at home with a program designed by us but when he comes to us he brings his dog Yoda to help him around.

Phil Menzie. Picture: Mireille Merlet

He has a young child and works full time as well as a side business where he massages.

He has suffered from some falls/injures and illness over Covid however has kept training and is now on target to win the Powerlifting Australia nationals again this year and take an Australian Squat Record for his 77kg weight class.

Fitstop North Hobart

Leanne, 29

I started my fitness journey because I wanted to better myself and to improve my overall physical and mental health and well being.

The biggest challenge has been trying not to compare myself to others and reminding myself that this is my own fitness journey and it’s about being better than I was yesterday.

The most enjoyable part definitely has been the people I’ve met along the way and being a part of such a motivating and supportive community at Fitstop. Everyone is so lovely!

If you know me, to say I’m really proud of myself might be an understatement. I’ve accomplished so many personal goals since starting my fitness journey and being a part of the Fitstop family which I didn’t think was possible at all because I initially had an unhealthy relationship with exercise and food, where I just wanted to be skinny and did not take nutrition seriously. I truly am so proud of how far I’ve come and I can’t wait to see what else I (and my body) achieve in the near future!

Abbie, 24

I began after gentle encouragement from my brother (starting as a trainer there) as he thought I would enjoy the focus on community and social aspect of Fitstop. Before that, I wasn’t a gym person at all!

The biggest challenge was the mental resistance to starting a new routine and getting myself to the gym. I knew once I was there it would be fine, but the mental shift to GET myself there was certainly a challenge. Developing friendships with people at Fitstop keep me accountable to come on the days where I’m less motivated.

The most enjoyable part has absolutely been the new friendships and active lifestyle I have developed as a result of attending Fitstop. I look forward to seeing my mates and friendly faces every day which has now extended to a rich social life outside the gym.

I am so proud of where I am because I challenged myself to start. It’s amazing being able to look back and see my progress not just in performance metrics, but my overall mindset towards healthy living and prioritising an active lifestyle.

India Watchorn, 26

I have always been a sporty kid growing up and have loved all things health and fitness. My fitness journey really kicked off in Brisbane when I came across Fitstop Newstead. Fitstop quickly became a lot more than just a place to workout. It became family. The Fitstop community is like no other. Each location lives and breathes the Fitstop ethos of being healthier and happier which has significantly impacted my health and fitness journey.

The biggest challenge I have faced would be the physical challenge that Fitstop workouts provide! No matter how often I go, they continue to challenge me on a physical level.

Without a doubt the most rewarding part and my favourite thing about Fitstop is the life long connections and friendships I have made, both here in Hobart and in Queensland.

I am proud to be apart of the Fitstop family, it’s a unique community of like minded legends, who love a good old sweat and are always up for a laugh!

Be Like Bill Community

Bill Sparks

Before I was a person trainer I lost over 100kg while working in a bakery. I lost my and dad at the age of 16 and it sent me into a downwards spiral of depression. I used food and alcohol to deal with my depression I ended up 230kg.

I had type 2 diabetes and I was about to lose my leg to diabetes. I also had sleep apnea and woke up twice not being able to breathe. My life flashed before my eyes.

I lost over 100kg using whole foods and weight training, no weight loss surgery or magic pills.

After I lost the weight I became a personal trainer and was working in the biggest commercial gym in Hobart and really didn’t like the culture of the place so I opened my own gym.

BLBC, where everyone is equal and everyone matters. We run a small group training for people who have anxiety around busy gyms.

It’s one thing dropping the weight but it’s a different thing keeping it off.

Catalyst Strength & Physique Coaching

Declan Giltjes, 21

I started my fitness journey to ultimately live a healthier lifestyle and in turn gain knowledge to also better the fitness of those around me.

My biggest challenges have been overcoming both physically and mentally any plateaus in my training to get back on track and smash my goals.

My most enjoyable experiences have come from competing in my powerlifting competitions alongside friends and fellow competitors and coach who push me to be my best and push fitness boundaries, creating new personal bests.

I am ecstatic about what I have achieved, especially in the long run. I currently hope to break my personal bests and am on track to try and break any junior national powerlifting records. Coming from an avid lifter enjoying the gym to now competing in nationals and possibly representing Australia in the near future for powerlifting.

Esther Cawthorn, 50

My fitness journey started in 2018 when my youngest turned 18 and I wanted to get fit again and get back down to a healthy weight. I did team training for a year then saw Jeremy coaching powerlifting; I always knew I wanted to do some form of weightlifting so decided to give it a go.

I haven’t really felt there has been any major challenges for me, as it has become a way of life, not just a hobby. I guess, if I had to say, it would be having to dial it back during injury. Also getting down to my goal weight and maintaining it has been a bit of a challenge having to deal with the issues that I have ignored most of my adult life.

Which segways to the most enjoyable part of being able to overcome those challenges! And also the sport itself and the thrill and adrenaline of competing, not against others, but with them and against myself. I also immensely enjoy chasing form and technique excellence with guidance from my coach.

My proudest achievements would have to be qualifying and placing at Masters Nationals in 2019 and 2020; also qualifying for Masters Nationals this year where hopefully I will place again and maybe qualify for Commonwealths in November.

I am also rather proud of the change in my body composition and being able to maintain it.

Of course this all would not have been possible without the guidance of and accountability to my coach.

Daniel Reardon, 33

I got into fitness in 2014 to lose weight and regain some fitness from my teens. I found that I had a predisposition for strength training and got into powerlifting in 2017.

The biggest challenge for me has been balancing regular training with working 9-5 and family life with three kids.

The most enjoyable parts have been the group of friends I’ve made through the sport, getting my sister involved in the sport and coaching her through her first few competitions. I’m currently enjoying myself to my limits towards Australian Championships in October with the goal of achieving selection for international competition.

I’m very proud of what I’ve achieved. When I started out in fitness I could only squat 100kg, bench press 60kg and deadlift 120kg. My recent bests in competition are 290kg squat, 200kg bench press and 300.5kg deadlift. I’m most proud of my progress on Bench Press to date. Earlier in my training career (before I starter powerlifting) I had such severe shoulder pain that I had to remove the movement entirely from my training. From that, I’m now working towards setting a new Australian Powerlifting Union national record for bench press in three-lift competition.

TAZFIT

Max Webster, 22

I started my fitness journey back in 2020, during the Covid-19 lockdown. At my heaviest I was 120kg, but changes to my diet helped me get down to 88kg by the end of that year.

My biggest challenge has been learning how to do pullups. When I started, I couldn’t even do one, all I could do was hang there. With all the training that I’ve done with Dan, the pullups are becoming easier and easier each time I do them.

My eating habits have also been another challenge. When there were times where I’ve had unhealthy foods, I would talk to Dan about it, then he would ask me about my week, we’d talk about went on during that period that led to the slip-up, and he would then offer me tactics to make sure that I could avoid these moments in the future, or at least, if I slipped again, it wouldn’t turn into a fall.

The most enjoyable part is the initial walk into my session. It’s always great to see Dan. No matter what mood I’m in, I always look forward to my workouts with Dan, because I’m with someone that has my best interests at heart and gives me an extra dose of confidence that helps me pull through to set new feats at workouts that I, at one point, could never imagine myself achieving.

I’m very proud of how far I’ve come since starting with Tazfit.

Lydia Honeywood, 22

I started my fitness journey because I wanted to feel and move better.

The biggest challenge for me has been knowing what and how much to eat. Conquering the barrier of what to eat and trying to balance that with life is a hard thing to do.

The most enjoyable thing is being able to see results pretty much straight away and having the accountability with Dan by my side helping me keep on track.

The best thing is my confidence has boosted after saying goodbye to 24kg that I’ve been fighting to lose for the last three years. I’m so happy I made this decision to better my health.

Michael Beresford, 68

I started my fitness journey to be healthier and stronger.

The biggest challenge has been dealing with metabolism shifts in the ageing process and missing time in a three session week.

The most enjoyable parts of my journey have been working with my trainer, experiencing the benefits of the program and renewing and sustaining energy.

Warwick Oakman, 50

I started working out to get flexible, avoid older age breaks and illnesses, to maintain good mental health and to have a constant personal level of fitness. Most importantly, to be happy.

The biggest challenge has bee keeping it regular, the challenges of people saying ‘why do you bother’ and keeping the food quality and alcohol in balance.

The best part has been the resultant mental clarity, flexibility and sense of wellbeing.

Antique dealers are not known for their bodies and gyms can be a struggle as you get older and busier. Two friends, an academic and a GP, also not known for their bodies, lost weight and looked much fresher and younger, so I asked how I could be like that six years ago.

They introduced me to Dan Lemoto, and I have stuck with it. Sticking with something, getting what works for you, via an expert who is kind, has been the key.

Tushar Chaudhari, 41

I started working out for weight loss and strengthening. My fitness level after the duration of my training was the best it had ever been which helped me to gain not only physical strength but also mental strength. I could feel the difference in my energy level at work before and after joining Dan at Tazfit.

The biggest challenge has been not having a routine of eating healthily and sticking to healthy diet habits. The sessions with Dan gave me lots of helpful tips with his great knowledge of nutrition and recommendations greatly helped improve my eating habits.

The most enjoyable part were the instructions were easy to understand and Dan’s encouraging attitude to push you to succeed.

Dan is such an amazing trainer. He is incredibly passionate about what he does and always pushed me to my full potential.

I’m extremely happy to achieve my desired goal of feeling stronger, more energetic and have developed better eating habits.

Coach Josh Wood

Abby, 40

As an adult, I embarked on my weight loss journey (several times). I exercised because of the benefits it gave me, not for the enjoyment that I had only heard people talk about.

After around six months at the gym with no real direction and not seeing the results I desired, I stumbled upon a friends testimonial for coach Josh. What she had achieved in just six weeks was admirable. I thought about what I had achieved in six months and figured I had nothing to lose.

It’s been almost a year since I reached out to Josh and it’s been one of my favourite years yet!

Initially I struggled with my own self limiting beliefs. I tried things that I never would have tried had Josh not have put them in my program. But what do you know? I was able to do every single thing that he programmed for me.

From that point forward, I trusted that if Josh put it in the program, I could do it!

I realised the only thing stopping me was me.

I love that Josh guides me without judgment and answers my many questions.

I have made the most beautiful friends at the gym, we support and encourage each other, I love starting out my day with such positive, strong women who fill my cup.

I have just turned 40 and I have never had a better relationship with myself both mind and body.

Gemma Merrick, 38

During pregnancy and after the birth of my child I gained a lot of weight which mademy happiness and self-esteem low. As a way to get healthy I begun running.

After a few years I began to lose the passion I previously held for running and was becoming difficult to include in my schedule. During a one-on-one goal setting session with my PT Coach Josh Wood in mid-2021, we were discussing this very thing and that I needed to have a goal to strive for but I was stuck to what that would be if it wasn’t running. Josh asked what I thought about powerlifting given my results from some previous Rep Max testing we had done.

Three competitions down, with another in a few weeks, it’s safe to say I love powerlifting for all that it brings and very appreciative of Josh for reigniting some fire in me. I love that in Powerlifting I can compete against myself rather than be competing against the other women, I’m out to try and beat my own personal bests rather than someone else’s.

Ultimately the most enjoyable part is the whole training and event process; the training and the challenges and wins that come with that, the day of the competition; the emotions, the atmosphere and the support from other competitors, and then the self-reflection after of what to do better next time and what I’m most proud of.

I’m also proud of the healthy habits I’m passing on to my son, young children are like sponges and I’m proud that I can role model to him the process of hard work and what it feels like to do your best and to be proud of that.

Hobart Fitness Training

Brad Keen, 27

Brad started his fitness journey six months ago as he felt unhappy and self-conscious after lockdown. He said he lacked confidence in himself physically, felt “tired in his own skin” and was ready to dedicate some time for himself.

His biggest challenge was establishing consistency with his workouts, so having his sessions booked in advance and locked into a schedule each week was a game changer.

He’s really thrived with the support and accountability that is provided by his trainer Callum and having a private studio environment to work within.

Brad said he now feels happier and healthier both mentally and physically and is extremely proud of his progress so far.

Hana Patel, 38

Hana began training with Annalee eight years ago due to her desire to be accountable with her strength and nutrition goals.

Since beginning training she has had two children and has had to work through both pregnancies from pre to post-natal stages, which is ongoing after having two c-section deliveries. The changes brought about by pregnancy, birth and caring for young children have required an adjustment in expectation around the way her body moves and recovers.

Hana is also a full-time primary school teacher so time is tight to fit sessions in.

She has absolutely thrived with lifting weights and has also enjoyed learning about aspects of her own health as a woman and mother, which for her has been very empowering.

Hana has found a real sense of achievement and fulfilment in challenging herself to become stronger and he now places more importance on how strong she feels rather than how she looks. Hana has transformed the way she sees herself to develop a healthy body positive perspective, embracing her Fijian genes.

Steven Burgess, 55

Steven started training with us during lock down in 2020 and was keen as a bean to get outdoors and move. Steven was aware of the need to manage his posture and strength through working with weights and wanted to avoid injury in his approach.

He had multiple injuries from tennis and old sporting injuries and has been working with the training team to rehab his elbow, wrist and shoulder, as well as manage spinal issues from a serious surf lifesaving accident years ago.

A hectic schedule as a town planner has meant he has had to work around absences from training for short periods of time but he has coped really well by maintaining advanced bookings to catch up on sessions as required. 

Building up strength has improved his confidence and he has just simply enjoyed turning up to train twice a week.

Steven is a very down to earth person who takes his achievements in his stride but he is extremely proud that his back and shoulder injuries are completely recovered and are now even stronger than before.

Artgym Boutique Fitness

Chelsea Cook, 29

I started my fitness journey to have greater access to the activities I love, like bushwalking. I was dying to start multi-day walks but knew I did not have the stamina to attempt. I had never joined a gym or lifted weights a day in my life, so part of me just wanted to see what I could do and what would happen. My family has a long history of heart failure and premature death and I wanted to live the rest of my life knowing I had done everything I could to make the most of mine.

The biggest challenge has been finding balance. After I gained strength and endurance, I wanted to try so many new physical activities that I had not been able to do before and have ended up burning myself out quite a few times.

Hands down the most enjoyable part has been finding Girevoy Sport and its community. It is my reason for maintaining and pushing my fitness further, for creating new goals and it helps me work through life’s tough days.

My proudest moment is competing at Nationals last year, competing in our gym in our town, and hitting an unimaginable number of reps for my favourite lift, Jerks. It’s hard to find words, I am proud of my perseverance and determination- but mostly I am just grateful for my body and what it allows me to do now, so I try to thank it each day.

Alex Hay, 28

I have always been fit, but I started my Artgym journey towards the end of 2018. I was recovering from a bad shoulder injury and I couldn’t do anything physical, I couldn’t work. I had a ruptured quad muscle in my right leg and I’d had to stop playing football because of back spasms. I didn’t like where I was going, mentally or physically.

The most enjoyable part has been getting my body back but also the growth of my physical and mental health again. Knowing where I was before, compared to after I had been training solidly - I now enjoy life a lot more.

The biggest challenge for me is that no one else – well at least no one I can refer to personally in the gym – has to navigate the kind of training I do with a ruptured quad muscle. I have to do things in a different way. So whatever everyone else does, I have to do it differently. I turned my frustration into my strength.

I have achieved numbers that I never thought I would be able to lift in strongman and in training – like pulling a 300 kilogram deadlift. And just knowing that I can lift a stone (atlas stone) that is comparable to what anyone else can lift in training or the world in my weight class — that means something to me.

Monika Orlowski, 24

Plain and simple, I started because I just love to move and keep on the go. Life is best for me when it’s high energy and I feel so much better after I exercise, both mentally and physically.

The gym has been a major outlet for me over the past six months or so, it keeps my head clear, and it feels so good to be fit.

I would have to say the food has been the biggest challenge, it is honestly like a full-time job meal prepping, planning and consuming that volume of food. But with a bit of organisation, time and a lot of Tupperware, it was something I was quickly able to wrap my head around. Socially I sometimes find it hard, like going out to brunch and dinner dates is tricky, but all my friends have been super supportive and accommodating to me, they are also very used to me whipping out my plastic container by now. Also there is always cheat day.

Words can’t describe how privileged I feel to be part of a community like Artgym, where everyone is supportive and so friendly. Getting up early is made easy when I know I’m heading into an environment where I know I’m going to have a laugh and a good boogie. It truly is not your average gym, so I’m super lucky for that.

How proud am I for what I have achieved: Like I’m stoked! For the first time in my life, I feel like I’m doing something for me which is completely independent of other people and that’s been an awesome feeling.

Stuart Barry, 56

Being over 50 I really want to maintain fitness and general health. I have never been a gym user before and was looking for a friendly comfortable gym for “normal” people. ArtGym was highly recommended. I started approximately one and a half years ago - I later became aware of the A12 program which seemed a perfect way to improve and develop fitness within a structured proven and fun program.

My first challenge was attending classes regularly and learning how to safely use the equipment. The A12 program is “next level up” intensive requiring a commitment to a fixed routine and a new way of eating to match the exercises.

Doing the A12 with my wife has been great fun - comparing and discussing our improvements and motivating each other. Also the fun of doing the program with a great bunch of like minded people.

As we approach the end of the program I am the fittest I have ever been and amazed by the improvements I have experienced. Lifting weights - some have more than quadrupled, my legs are much stronger for my regular cycle commute to work.

Rosie Barry, 51

Throughout my entire life I’ve always been pretty physically active and reasonably fit, but as I approached my fifties, I knew I really needed to start some resistance work (weight training) to help with bone density.

I’d been doing gym classes at Artgym regularly three-four times a week for about a year when I signed up to a very specific 12-week program of strength training, and it’s a pretty big time commitment as well as an effort of discipline because you have to follow a pretty strict diet for the 12 weeks.

I also have four teenage children to look after. Juggling a family around the time and food commitments has been a bit challenging, but for me, really the biggest challenge was when I got Covid nine weeks into the program. I really struggled with the concept of stopping and resting.

The most enjoyable thing for me is the camaraderie, especially doing the A12 program with my husband. I love seeing the other people at the gym every morning. Everyone is always so supportive and encouraging, and I find that really inspiring.

I’m really proud of myself for committing to the program so fully and always trying my hardest, and I’m really surprised and impressed by the results my commitment is producing.

I like to think that my learnings from this gym program can be applied to other aspects of life as well.

Jazzercise Hobart

Alyssa King, 36

I started Jazzercise at the suggestion of one of my closest friends, almost eight years ago now. It has been a constant in my life ever since and the only exercise program I have stayed this committed to.

The biggest challenge was the eventual need to have to scale back the intensity of my workouts once my pregnant belly started growing more. Thankfully, Jazzercise made this transition very easy as each class offers low impact alternatives that were suitable for each stage of my pregnancy.

Once you start dancing you become part of a large extended family. I felt comfortable, safe and supported attending classes while pregnant. It was also lovely to start seeing more pregnant tummies making their appearance in classes over the past year – we could start our own mothers club now!

Committing to exercise during pregnancy can be really challenging, especially during the first months of morning sickness and then the last months of not being able to move as well as usual.

I am proud that I made a promise to myself to attend class as much as I could during this time. Even on the days when I felt rotten, I was always able to get a little movement in, and most of the time felt much better afterwards.

Sallyanne Davis, 37

I started attending Jazzercise in 2015 after a friend encouraged me to try it. I’d been looking for an exercise program that provided a whole body workout, and more importantly, that I’d actually enjoy and commit to for my general health and well being.

Jazzercise has been a perfect fit for me. In recent time and in consultation with my obstetrician, I was fortunate to continue attending classes throughout my pregnancy and as part of my post-birth recovery.

My biggest challenge has been adjusting my workouts to my physical ability. How I felt during my pregnancy and recovery changed from day to day so I learnt to modify the exercises to what I felt I was physically able to do. The instructors were very supportive of me in this transition and provided alternative, lower impact exercise options so that I could continue to move my body confidently and safely.

I love the flexibility and inclusiveness that Jazzercise provides - there’s something for everybody and all abilities, including pregnancy and recovery.

There’s a variety of class formats, flexibility to adjust workouts, and it’s an incredibly supportive and fun environment.

I’m extremely proud that I’ve found an exercise program that I love, gets me moving regularly, and that supports my mental and physical health at different stages of life.

Alison Maiden, 30

I started because I loved to dance! I would never have said I was good at it, but I just loved dancing ever since I can remember.

I had tried classes at previous gyms before but they just didn’t keep me motivated and even though it was a class with other people, it always felt very alone and competitive.

I found out about Jazzercise from a friend that had just started going. Once I started I knew that it was the thing that was missing from my life.

My biggest challenge was my pregnancy journey wasn’t what I expected it to be. As a Jazzercise instructor I had this image in my mind that I’d be jazzing right up until the birth of my child.

That image and expectation I had on myself had to change massively once I found out I was having twins!

I think the most enjoyable part for me working out during my pregnancy was being happy that I had a fitness program that was safe and wasn’t putting my

growing babies or myself at risk.

I had a pretty high risk pregnancy with my twins sharing the same placenta and had check ups with my obstetrician every two weeks so it was so comforting knowing that I could still do Jazzercise and know it was ok.

I am proud of being a Jazzercise instructor but it made me even prouder being able to teach a really good class during my pregnancy and seeing all those smiling faces back at me!

Glenorchy Health & Fitness

Harriet Badcock, 34

I started my fitness journey after having my first born and noticing my usual active lifestyle was slipping away. It was perfect timing as my friend Emma told me she’s joining a gym that has childcare and suggested I should join as well.

The biggest challenge used to be leaving my daughter at Kids Club! Now she refuses to leave at the end of my workout, and we both can’t wait until we go next. She’s always talking about the staff and other kids there.

Everything about going to GHF has been enjoyable. The staff and instructors are so welcoming and always encouraging. Kids Club staff are so loving towards my terrible (at times) toddler, that the biggest battle I face is trying to get her in the car after my workout when I’m so exhausted!

I am proud of myself for being dedicated on going almost everyday, but that’s because the classes I attend are so much fun and the instructors encourage me so much to push my limit. It’s them who make me so motivated.

Emma Hearn, 33

I had my thyroid removed and since then struggled with constant weight gain for four years. I had no energy and my mental health was suffering. Something clicked for the first time in my whole life and I was truly ready to become a healthier, happier version of myself.

Learning to love myself and be patient with myself has been my biggest challenge. It has been as much a journey of self appreciation as it has physical activity and better food choices.

There’s nothing I haven’t enjoyed. It’s been a totally positive journey and one that I wish I started a long time ago.

I’m unbelievably proud of myself. I feel as strong physically as I do mentally and having my children congratulate me or give me a big cuddle because I worked hard only makes me prouder.

I’m now the kind of role model for them that I’d always dreamt of being. Prioritising my health and fitness has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

Tayla Smith, 21

I started my fitness journey to create and happier, healthier lifestyle and have confidence in my body.

Motivation and staying in a regular routine has been quite challenging. I have also found that choosing healthier food options has taken a lot of self-control which hasn’t been the easiest.

I enjoy both the psychical and mental parts of being active. I personally am working towards muscle growth and fat loss. It is such a great feeling to increase your weights and hit PB’s during workouts. For me it means the hard work is paying off!

Proud would be an understatement. I am beyond grateful of myself for continuing to stay disciplined and create healthy habits for everyday life.

I am most proud of myself for the days that I don’t feel up to working out but doing so anyway.

Bianca Stapenell, 46

I began working out because I felt so unhealthy, I wasn’t happy with how I looked or felt and nothing fit me. I was self conscious, always tired, mentally and physically drained and no motivation.

Joining the gym and walking through the doors for the first time was the most challenging thing. It took Lydia (manager of GHF) 12 months to convince me that it would be okay, that everyone is on their own journey and they wouldn’t all look at me thinking that I looked silly.

The most enjoyable part has been feeling healthier and fitter. I have just finished the six week challenge and gained a lot of knowledge about what foods to eat, when to eat, how much to eat and that I don’t have to restrict myself from any food - just eat “sometimes food” in moderation.

I love going to the 6am classes and have met some lovely people and made some new friends. My confidence has massively improved and I am no longer scared to walk through the gym doors.

I feel like I have achieved so much and I have dropped 11kg since joining. I am still on my journey but I feel so much fitter and healthier.

Jo CC Holistic PT

Marg Marshall

I’ve known inspiring woman Marg Marshall for more than 25 years. We are friends first, and it was with much trepidation that I decided to take Marg Marshall on as a personal training client about 12 years ago.

I simply could not think of someone else to refer her to as her case was so complex.

Marg needed her personal training to be absolutely and totally 100 per cent right or she would relapse. What a journey it has been.

From over 2 years on crutches to a 25km endurance walk, Marg is a very inspiring woman.

In 2006 Marg was heading into her second pregnancy but felt some pelvic pain and was

diagnosed with pubic symphysis dysfunction. She couldn’t walk without crutches.

After over 18 months of highly specialised physio and pilates Marg was ready for personal training which we commenced in water so her body was supported.

Marg was interested in hiking so we set a goal 12 months in advance of completing a non-competitive endurance walk of over 25km.

Her progressions were always micro so she really had to dedicate that year to getting hiking fit.

That event was successfully completed in 2016 and since then Marg has enjoyed many long day hikes.

Marg still takes part in weekly land and water based personal training, and she hikes with our beginners hiking group on Friday Nights on the Eastern Shore of Hobart.

Originally published as Hobart’s most inspiring fitness journeys, transformations