Hi, hey, hello, how are you?
My name is Nat & I make dreams come true. (Seriously, when you knew my story you’ll believe dreams come true too).
I’ve lost over 55kg in weight, compete as a National & Invitational Level Powerlifter. I was a Chef for 9 years & currently studying a Bachelors in Food & Nutrition to become a Qualified Nutritionist. I love that I get to live & breathe strength training & competing in my own space & around Australia.
I worked my ass off in the gym to work to lose the weight I’d gained. 5kg, then 10kg, next thing I know 30kg gone.
After months of consistency I hit 45kg loss! Now 55kg.
Being vulnerable became a strength to inspire others to come on board & challenge themselves to transform their lives!
TRIGGER WARNING: Sexual abuse / Assault / Rape
In one moment my life changed forever. I had a full career ahead of me as a Chef, with plans to work overseas in Hawaii. Then my Head Chef for months sexually abused, assaulted then attempted to rape me because of my sexuality. My sexuality was used as an excuse to assault me, my employers then Terminating my employment once finding out I wasn’t straight.
It nearly killed me. It left me defeated & feeling extreme depression. That moment destroyed my career & it left me bed ridden & mute for 12 months, living off junk food & fast food delivery.
I became dependent on medication to sleep, to wake up, to function & to be out in public without anxiety. I was diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety & depression. I gained over 40kg, ate junk food every single day & couldn’t even get off the couch to walk down the street with my dog. My health deteriorated to the point my hair fell out from the stress, skin broke out in rashes & my body embodied the pain of what I’d experienced. The scales were 130kg one day, then 140kg & I was in total shock.
Then one morning at 3:30am driving through a fast food drive through to order my usual order for x2 Large Fries, One Large Burger Meal with a large drink, they said they weren’t serving burgers moving onto breakfast I cancelled my order. I drove home. Enough was enough. I wanted to do life.
I wanted change.
I was strength training at that point once a week & decided to dedicate my life to it. I committed to the process of change. So my friend began coaching me, giving me a program to follow in the gym. I had accountability. I then wanted to inspire others like me to take their power back, to empower their lives. So I began Powerlifting. Everything changed. Everything.
I TRANSFORMED MY LIFE
Strength Training gave me purpose to get out of bed in the morning & do something to empower myself for the day. It gave me accountability, energy & focus.
My depression, anxiety, ability to sleep, ability to function completely improved. My mental health, physical health - everything began changing. I was more alert, focused & ready to up-skill & study into a new profession.
I then learnt that the moment that broke me, was the moment that was the spark for change.
I wanted to be a Personal Trainer, I wanted to help, train & inspire others that they can change their lives. Some people laughed at me in my face, literally laughed in my face. Joked because of how I looked how could I possibly train someone? So I studied anyway & listened & learned from the best in the industry. In 2017/18 I started Photographing Athletes & Powerlifting Events around Australia with my Camera & from the Platform side learnt so much about strength being more than just how much you load on a bar. Education became a big focus for me, learning about Body Building, Powerlifting, Pilates, Yoga - the works because I wanted to be able to completely change not just my life, but clients. Be able to share knowledge. Truly change lives & walk this path with incredible people beside me.
Over the years I have Competed in multiple local Competitions, State Level Competitions, National Competitions & now ProRaw Invitational. My favorite moment in Powerlifting was competing with the best at the 2019 GPC Australia Nationals which was the most incredible day of my life. With National & Invitational events under my belt, this still is a highlight moment.
In this photo I had just squatted 172.5kg - this moment was incredible.
I then became an Assistant Manager for x3 University Gyms & that taught me W O R L D S about about vulnerability, culture, pride, inclusion & most of all - kindness. Experiences in life, no matter what, give you the biggest lessons on perspective that shape us in the greatest ways. Goals were always set, ticked off & suddenly life was completely different.
I wanted to turn my Unicorn into something truly magical.
So Stone Strength PT went from being a Personal Training business, to a Private Personal Training Studio Gym. I am proud to have filled two rooms with equipment from all over the world that makes my heart pound so hard I can’t wait to lift with my clients every day! I get to make training & exercise is accessible to everyone. Everything & anything is possible. You just have to believe in yourself.
My biggest mantra:
It’s not how you look, but what you do that defines you.
No matter what happened, no matter the hurt, the burn, the obstacles thrown my way over the last few years - not once did I back down from my dreams. I got out of bed because I knew that that barbell was the most reliable thing in my life. It inspired me, motivated me & made me dedicate to my health.
ProRaw 12
Stepping onto the podium at ProRaw 12, the biggest & toughest Powerlifting event in Australia, was a clear example that if you want it bad enough, if you let go of the hurt that you’re experiencing & just use it, you can & will make a dream happen.
ProRaw 13
I worked harder than ever for another 12 months & took Podium again at ProRaw 13 with my coach & beautiful friend in strength Helene!!
Now I am here for you, to empower you, to help you, to make your life flourish in strength.
We do this together x
Qualifications & Certifications:
Qualified Personal Trainer: Certificate 3 & 4 in Personal Training
Qualified Pre & Post Natal Trainer
Group Fitness Instructor
Spin Class Instructor
Current First Aid & CPR
Current Working with Childrens Check
Qualified Child Safe Officer
Police Clearance Check
PBTR - Harassment & Discrimination Course Completed
PBTR - Child Protection Course Completed
South Australian COVID-19 Marshall Training Completed