inspiring women

Each Wednesday morning for the past six weeks I have been going to a 'Group Power" class (basically the same as "Pump") at the "Toughen up Princess" studio in Mansfield. The studio was opened six weeks ago by a lovely lady called Karen Christopher at the back of her home in their converted shearing shed. As you can see from the photo it's a gorgeous new space - light, bright, airy with views of their swimming pool and the surrounding farmlands. This is a view of the pool from the studio...

And of the studio from the pool...

My greatest disappointment is that I only get to go to one class per week! I can't tell you how much I LOVE going - it really has been the highlight of my weeks. The best thing is that by simply adding more weight to your bar you can really increase the intensity of your workout and in 6 weeks I am noticeably stronger and fitter. Not only are the exercises great, the other highlight is our instructor, Karen, who is so motivating and inspiring. She's a person who exudes kindness and care for others and who is so clearly very passionate about what she is doing. And - it's infectious!! She very kindly agreed to let me take some photos and ask her some questions about how she came to be doing what she is doing now. It's an inspiring story...

Karen is now 41 years old and is married to Bo, with four boys aged 13 down to 6 years old. She said that for the first half of her life she really didn't know what she wanted to do. She started a Physical Education degree at University, completing the first year, but decided not to continue and, instead, to go out and see the world. She spent two and a half years travelling, unfortunately almost dying of cerebral malaria in Africa and eventually came home to Mansfield to fully recover. Despite the illness, Karen said she came home feeling that she now knew who she was and felt far more comfortable within herself.

On her return to Mansfield, she promptly fell in love with an old school friend, Bo, and they married, started a plumbing business and went on to have their four children. After son number two was born Karen took up walking and then running, to find some time to herself - we all know how important that is for mothers in order for them to keep doing the best they can. Exercise became her "time out" and she says that her husband, Bo, understood that and helped make it happen for her. 

Possibly as a result of the malaria, Karen became very sick about 5 years ago, developing a cyst on her brain that had to be removed. She was unable to run for a period of time and it was this experience that helped her to realise what is most important in her life. She said "I never makes excuses not to exercise any more - my health is the most important thing to me as it enables me to be the best mother, wife, daughter, friend and person that I can be!" 

It was after this that Karen started to entertain the idea of becoming a personal trainer as she wanted to help others also achieve their best in health and fitness. When she told her husband about her dream he was totally supportive and encouraging. So, with their youngest son going off to school this year, it was the time to start making the dream come true.

Karen spent 6 months travelling to Melbourne for two days a week to complete her full time course in Certificate 3 and 4 Fitness, allowing her to become a Personal Trainer and Gym Instructor. As well as attending classes, there were weekly tests and assignments to study for, around managing a busy household and a business. Karen said she often left home in tears feeling that she hadn't done enough to prepare the family for her absence, but the sacrifices were worth it in the end.

She was daunted by the idea of doing the course - says she lacked confidence and felt self-conscious (hard to believe!!) "It was a huge thing for me and I put everyting I had into it, tried my absolute best. I felt so passionate and it was so important to me that I wasn't going to waste my time with a half-hearted effort." The hard work paid off as Karen was awarded the "Institute Champion" by the instructors, out of all the participants in her course.

Karen says she felt so self-conscious at first that even the idea of putting on a microphone was completely embarassing. She has clearly grown used to it as she has no trouble waking us up with comments like "What's your core doing?? Turn it on!" or "Don't think about what you're going to do for the rest of the day - focus and engage the muscle!" My favourite - "Squeeze your butt - you should be shaking - if you want results, you need to feel that pain!" It certainly works - we all "make every second count".

I asked Karen "What simple pleasures in life make you happy?" to which she replied, "My kids make me happy. I love the little people that they're becoming. I've always been a Mum who did everything for my kids, because it was easier, but this year they've had to step up and become far more independent. They're proud of me too and see me differently than they used to. They're interested in what I'm doing, ask about my day, how the classes went and try to help when I'm tired. My husband tells me how proud of me he is too and he taught me, when I came across obstacles, to find another angle and keep trying to overcome them." (Oooh he sounds like a lovely guy doesn't he!)

Karen says "It also makes me so happy when people tell me about the improvements they're feeling in their fitness. I'm so grateful that people are enjoying what I'm doing and taking it on... Chocolate makes me happy too."  Of course I expressed a little surprise that she eats chocolate, to which she replied, "Oh yes, it's all about balance. I have more balance in my life as a whole now. I do the bookwork for our plumbing business, which I hate and find very boring. These days, instead of labouring through it, I do it quickly without a hassle, so I can get on with doing the things I love."

I asked "What makes your home a happy one?" Karen said that her idea of a happy home has changed. It used to be cleanliness and order - but with more children and less time she had to let it go. Now, she says, her home is happy when the children are laughing and having fun together. "I'm happiest when we're all together having fun - like in Bali on holiday this year - we all learnt to surf together."

About living in a small country town, Karen says "Great friendships happen - people really look out for you. We couldn't have started this fitness studio without the help of our friends and family, who assisted with renovations, dropped off meals, picked up kids etc. We're very grateful to them. But really I could live anywhere as long as I've got my family with me. The two most important things in my life are my health and my family."

Needless to say, Karen's next 6 week block of "Group Power" classes is already fully booked and you won't be surprised to hear that I secured my place very early on! Thank you Karen for inspiring me to be fitter and healthier and making it so much fun...