430,000+ followers: Toowoomba’s most influential social media sports and fitness stars

Toowoomba’s best athletes and fitness professionals are turning to social media to promote their causes and inspire people. Here’s our look at the most influential you need to be following online. SEE THE FULL LIST

YOU would hard pressed to find an athlete or sports star without a social media presence and the same can be said for fitness and health influencers.

Even at the ‘local’ level, players, coaches and volunteers are posting daily about their sports and active lifestyles.

The motives behind their posting range from simply keeping a visual diary and sharing a view of their life, through to promoting their brand and thanking sponsors.

Here’s our look at some of the Toowoomba region’s top athletes on line.

10. Jake Wyllie – boxer – 2244 (Instagram followers)

Wyllie has clearly picked up a thing or two, in and out of the ring, from his brother-in-law Stevie Spark who you will see later in this list. Wyllie’s Instagram feed is a mix of fight promotion posts. behind the scenes snapshots and training videos. There’s a few candid photos of his personal life and plenty of love for supporters, trainers and sponsors who have helped him progress his career.

Jake Wyllie (left) scored a knockout victory at The Big Fights 29. Photo: DSL Photography

9. Tania Hayes – fitness influencer and coach – 2335

If you’re just starting your health journey, or need a little extra, the popular Toowoomba personal trainer’s ‘feed’ is the perfect place for you.

Her feed is full of healthy meal ideas, free workouts, myth busting facts and advice to improve your mind and body. The F45 Toowoomba West manager and elev8hfl founder also shares snapshots of her training. Tania’s Instagram page is @elev8hfl

8. Cameron Gray – CrossFit athlete and coach – 2985

The 20-year-old found his passion and calling in CrossFit nearly five years ago and hasn’t looked back.

In the later years of his primary schooling he was a ‘thrower’ putting his skills to the test in the discus and shot put arenas.

In high school he added long distance running to his schedule and eventually CrossFit.

“I guess it was a bit of an unusual combination combining throwing and long distance running considering the two different physiques you need for those sports, but I enjoyed them both,” Cameron said.

“CrossFit is my passion now though. I love how it challenges and helps you improve every aspect of your fitness and health.

“I also love the fact that there’s always something for you to work on or improve.

CrossFit Highfields athlete and coach Cameron Gray

“As a coach I love being able to help people – I think I love seeing someone else get a personal best because we (Gray and the CrossFit Highfields team) have helped them, more than I love getting personal bests of my own.”

Gray’s Instagram is a mix of lifting videos, workout performances and helpful tips.

During the CrossFit Open (the first stage of qualifying for the CrossFit Games), Cameron’s ‘statistical analysis’ posts drew massive engagement from his followers.

“I am a bit of a maths guy,” he said.

“I use it all the time to figure out how to get the most out of my training and help others.

“During the CrossFit Open I did a lot analysis to work out what score you needed to record in the workouts if you wanted to qualify for the quarterfinals and beyond.

“Those type of posts got so much engagement and feedback.

“I had people from all over the world messaging me saying ‘thanks, I found this so helpful’ and ‘my gym is using this as a guide’.

“It was really good to get that type of feedback and support.”

7. Anna Kroehn – fitness influencer – 3155

Anna’s Instagram feed is an eclectic mix of her personal, training and competition lives and it’s obvious she is dedicated to her craft. The NPC bikini competitor is proof of what hard work and dedication can achieve. She is also a sponsor’s dream, Anna is an ‘ASNFUELLED’ and regularly posts about the products she uses.

Herman Ene-Purcell and James Singh fight for the WBF World Youth title. S

6. Herman Ene-Purcell – boxer and rugby league coach – 3866

The Herminator’s followers should expect a slight change in his ‘feed’ over the coming months. Herman made a name for himself fighting the likes of Paul Gallen, Will Nasio and Joe Goodall but the boxer has picked up an old passion this year. Herman’s trade mark big smile can now be seen patrolling the sideline as the Oakey Bears Rugby League Club coach. With the Bears firing on all cylinders this season there’s no doubt there will be more league pics showing up soon.

5. Nicole Steffens – fitness influencer and gym owner – 3913

If you want to flip your mindset switch – Nicole’s page is the perfect starting point. When she isn’t sharing colourful personal photos she’s talking about mindset and how people can change theirs for the better.

Toowoomba's Ava Black has joined the Sunshine Coast Lightning as a training partner.

4. Ava Black – netballer – 8343

Ava has made less that 80 posts in five years but as already amassed a dedicated following. The young netballer’s popularity probably has something to do with the fact she is a rapidly rising star on the Australian netball scene. When the Sunshine Coast Lightning training partner and Australian representative isn’t sharing ‘netball life’ pictures she’s sharing fantastic photos of her other adventures.

Stevie Spark (right) punches River Daz during their bout at Nissan Arena. Picture: Getty Images

3. Stevie Spark – boxer – 8701

Stevie wants to become a world champion and the Toowoomba boxer isn’t afraid to show people exactly how he plans to make that dream a reality. Stevie’s feed is all hard work, training videos and in-ring action shots. He also takes plenty of time to thank his sponsors and the team that has helped him establish himself as one Australian boxing’s brightest stars.

2. Emily-Rose Baltus – fitness influencer and gym owner – 9717

The Anytime Fitness and F45 gym owner Emily-Rose Baltus knows first hand just how tough it can be to find balance and health in life and that is exactly why she is so active on social media.

“I’ve struggled in the past with anorexia but have been able to recover and change my life for the positive,” she said.

“My goal now is to inspire and empower people – women in particular.

“As a personal trainer and online coach, my aim is to train myself out of my clients lives.

“I want to get them to a point where they no longer need me to thrive.”

A lot of Emily-Rose’s instagrams focus heavily on technique and are well received by her followers.

“It stems from a bad experience I had when I first started training at a gym,” she said.

“I had no idea what I was doing and didn’t always enjoy the experience.

“As a personal trainer, I am very active, I want to teach people the right way to do things so they can enjoy the experience and see the results.”

1. Jed Hockin – trickster – 388,000

He’s not an athlete in the traditional sense but you can’t have a ‘sporting influencer’ story and not mention Jed. Whether he’s using a soccer, rugby league, Aussie rules or basketball Jed’s juggling trick shots – the greater majority of which are filmed in and around Toowoomba – are amazing. Jed holds four Guinness World Records and his videos have been shared by professional sports and clubs, including Real Madrid, all around the world.