I'M STILL ALIVE!

I just realised how long it's been since I've posted on this blog and I miss it and need to get started again!!!

WOW though - SOOO much has happened since July I don't even know where to start!

First of all and maybe most significant is that I actually completed my Certificate III and IV in Personal Training through the Australian Institute of Fitness so I am now a fully qualified trainer which is amazing! I've learnt so much through the course and it's not only developed my skills to help other people but it's given me such a good understanding of how to achieve your fitness related goals. 

Something else that happened that's probably the most amazing thing to happen to me is that I've gotten a job with Bondi Vixen!!! For those who aren't familiar with Bondi Vixe, it's an outdoor training group for women right on Bondi Beach run by the incredible Vix Erber, one of the greatest trainers in Australia! I will make a separate post all about it very soon!

Those are the two big things that have happened but other than those I've had lots of smaller achievements. I'm really into my weight training now and I have such a better understanding and confidence around the gym now. Now more getting intimidated by all the big guys in the gym - I'm right next to them now doing my own thing and it's awesome :)

Miss Bondi 2013 Finals

I was also lucky enough to compete in the Miss Bondi 2013 competition at the Beach Roach Hotel and I made it in the finals which was incredible! Such a fun experience and got some cool stuff out of it too ;)

Anyway, keep checking back for updates, I'll definitely be making the time to be updating hopefully more than ever now that my life is really taking off in an amazing direction!

Danni

x

Long Time, No Post!

Hello everyone!

I just remembered that I haven't updated my blog in almost a month! What an outrage!

A lot has happened in that month. Biggest of all - I turned 18! Yay! 

Another thing that's happened is that the Gold Coast half marathon has been very quickly creeping up on me and my tendinitis-ankle... and now there's only 5 DAYS TO GO. WHAT!?

This is extra crazy because I haven't run in about 7 weeks. Yesterday was my first outdoor run in about 8 weeks... So I'm gonna say there's probably a fairly big chance I won't be able to finish.

It's not like I haven't been keeping my fitness up though - I was taking regular spin classes multiple times a week in addition to hitting the gym 5 - 6 days a week. The good thing about spending time in the gym was that I got to really build the strength of my leg muscles which was often my main weakness when running - my muscles would often start to let me down way before my actually cardio fitness levels would, so hopefully that helps me out.

My run yesterday was a little challenging - probably more in my mind than my body. I eased back into running with just a quick 5km yesterday and I'm about to head out today for 10km (hopefully can do that in about an hour). I have a bad habit of stressing out/panicking/doubting myself when big events come up and I did shed a few tears yesterday because I'm not 100% sure I'll cross the finish line, OR that my ankle is going to keep working throughout the whole length of the race. However, my mother reassured me that just entering is an achievement and that the fact that I'll be giving it a go even with an injury that's prohibited training is great. So I will attempt it and whatever happens, happens.

Also I'm sure that the race environment will be far more encouraging than running 5 laps of the promenade at Bondi Beach haha! It's all about the atmosphere I guess :) I was also pretty excited to learn yesterday that the course passes Cav's Steakhouse in the Gold Coast which has fake cows outside which always brighten my day hahaha :) So hopefully the cows will cheer me on a little.

I'm pretty happy to be attempting my first half marathon at 18 years and 2 weeks when most people will go their whole lives without doing one so I just have to stay positive, get rid of the tears, and focus on the next 5 days to make the most out of this event!

Danni
x

The Ride East Coast

Hey everyone,

So this post isn't going to be much like the usual things I post but it's something important that I really want to bring attention to.

This blog is centred around fitness and health, but just as physical health is important, so is mental health, and it's often an issue that doesn't get looked at as much as it seriously needs to be.

Bondi Lifeguards Maxi and Jesse are embarking on a mission called "The Ride: East Coast", where they'll be riding jet skis from Sydney to Cairns to raise awareness and money for the mental health charity Headspace. It's something that I think is so amazing and if you're wondering why I care so much about this cause in particular, it's because it's something that's very close to me and that I have been very effected by, and not something that I ever like to speak about at all, but Maxi and Jesse are helping to bring this issue into the open and to encourage people to accept that these problems exist, and to make these issues easier to talk about with everybody, instead of just hiding them and letting them get worse. I and I'm sure many of you have experienced some dark times in life and to know that there are people out there to help, that will help and want to help is just so important for individuals facing mental health issues that make an individual feel so lonely, such as depression. I think that these two are inspirational and using their public profiles to help make a change and raise awareness for such an important issue is really amazing. 

What they need from you is support. They need to reach their goal of $100,000 by June 22nd to cover costs needed to make the journey possible. Even just a small donation can go along way - every dollar counts. There are even prizes up for grabs if you donate certain amounts such as a signed photo, lifeguard shirt, even a day at the beach hanging out with Maxi and Jesse, or dinner and drinks with them! Just remember that every dollar counts, and your direct action will play a big role in making such an amazing thing happen! To make a pledge head on over to here, which explains everything in more detail as well.

For more information on "The Ride: East Coast", see the links below:

Donation Page:
http://www.pozible.com/project/23546

Lifeguard Maxi Twitter & Instagram Pages:
https://twitter.com/lifeguardmaxi
http://instagram.com/lifeguardmaxi

Lifeguard Jesse Twitter & Instagram Pages:
https://twitter.com/jessepolock
http://instagram.com/jessepolock