1. CFNZ turned 10 this year!! How long have YOU been training here?
I’ve been with CFNZ since Friday 19 January 2018.
2. What’s going on with you right now? Work, hobbies, projects etc..
Work is massive for me this year. I trained as a midwife in Australia, graduated at the end of last year and moved here for a graduate programme with Women’s Health at Auckland City Hospital plus a big life adventure in NZ!
So this grad programme is oomphy to say the least, with a learning curve so vertical that sometimes it bends back on itself. Plus as an internationally trained midwife, there’s extra education I have to do to meet my practicing standards here for that in this first year too…it’s all getting to the pointy end and there is LOTS of work I’m in the midst of getting completed! But it’s fine, it’s fine, it’s fiiiiiiiiine!
3. How about training? Hit any recent goals, milestones recently?
Ummm…I’m feeling pretty happy about my Conan effort on baseline testing week for this block we’ve just started.
Plus I’m generally feeling stronger more of the time after having a few episodes of recurring back grievances in this first 9 months of training at CFNZ, that have impacted my bar work a lot.
4. We’re a pretty social bunch at CFNZ. If you were having a dinner party, which 3 people would you invite, living or dead, but just to make it more difficult, NOT a member of CNFZ…
Hands down, first person, with no hesitation whatsoever would be Sir David Attenborough – he sparked my passion and fascination of animals and the natural world as a young girl and that has never diminished.
My second person would be the Dalai Lama – he is the representation of Buddhism, it’s values and traditions, which resonate with me and align with some of the life philosophies I have developed during my little journey on this planet so far.
And my third person would be Sheila Kitzinger who was a famous British social anthropologist and campaigner on childbirth. She was a prolific researcher and author who spent much of her career talking and listening to women’s experiences of childbirth across many different cultures – 100% my cuppa tea!!
5. And what would you serve for dinner? Got a signature dish you are famous for?
I tend to think a bit about what different people like, as I like to be thoughtful and show people I care through cooking.
But really, I generally don’t get complaints from lamb roast or lamb shanks with all the roasted hassleback potatoes, veg and jus…topped off with homemade chocolate mousse, tirimasu or citron tart.
6. And how about a signature move? What movement at the gym are you awesome at, or makes you feel awesome?
Any of the strong woman stuff is a part of training that I love.
But I’m also a big fan of handstands and flexi yoga bridge ups too.
7. Performing something you are good at is pretty empowering, but if you could have an actual superpower, what would it be?
Lol, the ability to be a thesaurus and use ALL of the big words ALL of the time??
8. Superheroes need a sidekick, aka a workout buddy. Who is the person who is always at your class time, the one you partner up with on the squat rack, and maybe have some friendly rivalry with when the clock starts……
Leigh Osborne…we have great fun inside and outside the gym, she is warm, generous, makes me laugh A LOT and she loves it when I practice my amazingly authentic Irish accent with her!
9. What is your biggest achievement since becoming a member of CFNZ?
The choice to show up each day and make my time and work at CFNZ a priority, without question and regardless of what is going on in my life.
10. What do you want to cross off your goals list in 12 months from now?
Work goals, I want to have completed my grad programme and done a stint working as a community midwife, having long term continuity of care women that I care for.
Travel goals, visit at least 6 places in NZ that I have not been to yet.
CFNZ goals, freehand handstand and progress all of my lifting skill and technique to really bed down those neural pathways and move with strength and confidence.
11. If you could travel anywhere right now, where would you choose?
Scotland – the beauty of the wilderness there, the culture, the history are all huge draw cards for me.
12. Interesting fact that people may not know about you…?
In another life I would so happily be an ornithologist…I love birds and especially the albatross.
13. In 3 words explain why you train.
Mind
Body
Strength