Courtney Phillips

Living and learning....
 

I haven’t always been into health and fitness. In fact there was a time where I was overweight, unmotivated and lived off takeaway.

I had always been a half hearted gym goer... Going to a few classes every month and then falling back into the slump that I seemed to be in.

I cannot tell you exactly what prompted me to get off that couch and never look back but whatever it was, I am truly grateful.

I always used to be the girl walking on the treadmill, admiring all of the gorgeous, confident and strong women in the weights room. I am sure we have all seen her. I decided that I wanted to be one of those girls, even they had to of started somewhere.

So with the help of a PT I gradually worked my way around a weights room, confidence built and results we seen.

I caught the bug! Soon I was confident enough that I could fly solo in the weights room.

I was still shy and kept to myself.

Soon enough though, competitors started coming up to me (these were the men and woman I admired and unbeknown to them, they inspired me) and asking me which 'comp' I was prepping for.

At first I laughed these off, until more and more people at my gym started telling me it was something I really need to look into. So I did.

To this day I still cannot believe that me, a once overweight girl with nil confidence has competed in a figure competition and will continue to do so.

I first competed in April 2011 (INBA) in Novice Figure and placed 3rd, but whatever my outcome, I was so proud of what I had achieved.

Today I am prepping for my second comp to be held in Sept 2011 in my hometown, Launceston, but this time in Sports Model section.

I plan to continue reaching my goals, one by one and who knows where this beautiful partnership I have with health and fitness will take me. There are just so many inspiring athletes out there who, unknown to them inspire me every day.

I am also a Les Mills BodyCombat Instructor at my gym, once again something that I thought I'd NEVER do.

I love being able to help others reach their potential and to lead them onto the path of health and fitness.

I feel very blessed that I get to pass on my experiences (good and bad) to others that are committed to changing their lives.

There are days when I get an inbox from someone telling me how inspired they are by me, how I have helped them or even just asking me for some tips.

This makes all my hard work, dedication and transformation truly worth every minute.

If I could pass on anything, I want it to be to the wonderful mothers out there who put themselves last, run around after their children and dedicate their lives to raising a family, that yes YOU can have the best of both worlds.

Life is all about perfect balance, it may take a little while to figure it out, but once you have, you will never look back.

The only thing I regret is not finding it sooner.

Make no excuses.

"Shoot for the moon.

Even if you miss it you will land among the stars."

-  Les Brown