Growing up, I was far from what you'd picture as athletic. I was a skinny kid with little interest in sports, and honestly, I never thought I'd find a passion in anything that required physical strength. I didn’t excel at team sports, and I wasn’t the kind of kid who played ball sports. Instead, I was quiet, introverted, and more likely to be lost in a book than out on the field.
Then, something changed in my late teens. I stopped growing taller, but my body started to change in a different way. I began gaining weight — and not the kind I was happy with. It wasn’t muscle; it was fat. I felt self-conscious and lethargic, but instead of letting that feeling consume me, I decided to do something about it.
In the early 90s, I made a decision that would change the course of my life: I joined a “serious” training gym. It was intimidating at first, being surrounded by people who seemed so confident and strong. But I felt something inside me stir — a new sense of determination, a spark. I wasn’t just going to lift weights; I was going to transform my body. It wasn’t about building muscle overnight or chasing some impossible standard; it was about discovering my strength and challenging myself.
The journey wasn’t easy. I struggled with the physical and mental demands of strength training, but I loved it. I loved pushing my limits, feeling my muscles grow, and seeing the results — not just in the mirror, but in how I felt. My body started to change. I went from 38% body fat to competing in my first bodybuilding competition, 25 kilograms lighter and at just 8% body fat. It was the start of a transformation, not just in my body, but in my life.
In 1995, I achieved something I hadn’t thought possible. I became the first Australian to qualify for IFBB professional status — a dream come true. That year, I represented Australia at the inaugural Ms. Olympia Fitness Competition in New York City. It was an incredible moment, walking on the same stage as some of the greatest athletes, including those I’d been aspiring to for years in fitness magazines. I felt a deep sense of pride, not just for myself, but for the path I had forged from an unfit teenager to someone who had earned a place at the pinnacle of my sport.
My journey didn’t stop there. Over the next several years, I continued to push myself, competing in over 35 competitions throughout my career. One of the highlights was being a finalist in the 1999 Ms. Universe Body Shaping competition. It wasn’t just about the trophies or the titles, or the aesthetics; it was about the years of dedication, discipline, and resilience that got me there.
Today, I share my story with you, not to boast about my achievements, but to let you know that I understand what it takes to build and maintain strength. I know how challenging it can be to transform your body — to see results, to break through plateaus, and to develop that level of strength and stamina that seems so elusive.
I know there are not many people who have the desire to take strength training to this extreme, but I want you to know that I respect the process. I respect the hard work it takes to gain muscle, to lose fat, and to maintain that balance. I’ve been through the highs and lows, the victories and setbacks, and I understand how important it is to approach every aspect of training with care and strategy. That’s why I’ve tailored your program to optimise your metabolic flexibility and insulin sensitivity, both crucial components of supporting muscle and maintaining strength over time.
Building muscle is more than just lifting weights and eating protein; it’s about understanding how your body works, how it responds to the right kind of fuel, and how to train it to adapt and grow stronger. Muscle isn't just about aesthetics — it’s about performance, healthy, and physical and mental resilience. It's about longevity. It's about feeling empowered in your body every day.
So trust the program. Trust the process. I’ve walked the path before you, and I know that with the right approach, dedication, and patience, you can achieve the results you’re aiming for. This journey isn’t just about looking better — it’s about feeling better, being stronger, and mastering the process of becoming the best version of yourself, inside and out.
