Catherine’s Epic Adventure

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Have you ever wondered what it would be like to walk the Camino de Santiage trail? We sat down with Barefooter Catherine to hear all about her incredible travels and adventures, and where she would like to hike next!

You walked the Camino Trail last year. Can you tell us a little about what this was like, what inspired you to do it, and why you want to do it again? 

The Camino de Santiago (route Frances) was an epic journey! In a month I walked a little over 500 km starting with 27 km straight up the Pyrenees. From there it was down into Spain through vineyards, farms, the unending golden meseta, meadows, mountains, villages, towns, cities and even eucalyptus plantations! The camaraderie and friendships are a really important part of the Camino and so is the spiritual and personal growth that comes from this adventure – definitely motivations to return for a second go. It’s also amazing to leave the concerns of everyday life and to spend a month with no more possessions than what you carry on your back. I went with a group of friends from home. We’re Catholic and it was amazing for us to consider the thousands and thousands of pilgrims who have also walked the way of St James over such a long time, to visit so many amazing churches and cathedrals along the way, and to finally arrive at the tomb of St James the Apostle.

What is your most favourite part about being a teacher? Have you got any funny stories for us?

Working with children! I love their joy, especially as they set and reach academic goals. I love laughing with them,  reading stories with them, chatting to them, and helping them develop strategies and skills to overcome challenges and have a growth mindset. I love how passionate they are about life and how this reflects in their work. A little guy in my year two class recently wrote a story about a family of cats who played video games all the day and how bad it was for them. How great is that? I also really enjoy working with parents and the intellectual challenge of planning and delivering lessons. Funny stories…hmm. I did show them a photo from a recent bushwalk where my hair was in double braids and I was wearing a fluro pink top. The girls were amazed that I had braids and one boy said, “You always wear black to school but on the weekend you wear colours!” NB: I don’t always wear black to school!

Where is your favourite walking trail in South East Queensland that is a MUST DO for any of our Barefooters out there who love bush walking?

The Coomera Circuit in Lamington National Park is spectacular. It’s about 17 km, not too arduous and the trail passes waterfall after waterfall. Keep your eyes peeled for blue crayfish! Other favourites are walking out to Hell’s Gates at Noosa, Mt Mitchell, and Flinder’s Peak. I haven’t done much interstate walking but for an experienced hiker, I would recommend the Warrumbungles (NSW) and the Heysen Trail (SA) in a heartbeat.

We love hearing about the incredible things our Barefooters get up to, here at Barefoot we call this living your “Barefoot Lifestyle”. We believe that your body should not hold you back from doing what you love. Rather than simply treating the symptoms of acute or persistent pain or injury, at Barefoot Physiotherapy we utilise our unique Treatment System to find the root cause of your problem, so you can get back to living your life to the full.

To find out more, or to book an appointment, click here.

Cheerleading and all that comes with it

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Milly’s incredible Barefoot adventures!

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Milly took the plunge and moved from her hometown of Brisbane to 100km out of Mt Isa. Cherelle recently sat down with Barefooter Milly, to see what has changed & how life is in the country!

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What is it like living there?
Every morning I walk outside and think of a line from a Dixie Chicks song that goes “I wanna look at the horizon and not see a building standing tall, I wanna be the only one, for miles and miles”. After years of living in the city with your neighbours right on top of you its surreal being so remote that there are literally no buildings on the horizon and no-one for miles!

We live roughly 100km from Mt Isa, which makes life much easier than many people on remote properties. We head into town each Saturday for fresh groceries and collect regular mail, and weekend sport. I am very lucky that I am able to enjoy these simply luxuries, whilst still reaping the rewards of remote living.

Why is the best decision I ever made?
For about 10 years now I’ve had a “weird” (as I was always told!) fascination with the country lifestyle. After finishing year 12 I considered taking a gap year to be a jillaroo, but decided to throw myself into university life instead. Five years and two (failed) attempts at a uni degree later, I finally bit the bullet and moved out bush!

Knee injuries prevented me from being a Jillaroo, so instead I took a position working as a governess teaching two beautiful girls and I’m so glad I did! As a governess I am able to get the best of both worlds. On days where there is mustering or yard work to be done we take the day off school and I get to become the student! The photo on the right was taken just before we all started working in the cattle yards (the first time ever for me!).

‘Follow Your Arrow’ is a song by country singer Kasey Musgraves. It is basically about following what your heart tells you. The reason that moving to the bush is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made is because I finally started following my arrow! (Cheesy, but true!) Following my arrow out to this far-flung corner of the country has made amazing differences to my health, my happiness, and my overall wellbeing.

We know you love dressing up for the races and that you even make your own fascinators! What’s some of the best fashion advice you follow when it comes to a day at the races?

Wear whatever makes you feel like you! Every outfit I make and wear for the races is quintessentially me. Ultimately, if you wear something that makes you feel amazing inside and out, it is going to make you stand out much more to the judges than something that is “on trend” Milly 2and almost the same as the person standing next to you.

One of my favourite photos is of the top ten finalists from last year at the Cairns Amateurs. I am front and centre, in a neon (was not “current-in-style” colours), knee length (technically too short according to FOTF rules) dress I bought years ago (not “current-in-season” style) that I refashioned with bright DKNY lace, and a homemade fascinator. The outfit is bright, bubbly, and above all – very different! Quintessentially me! Which goes to show that you don’t need to fill the FOTF criterion to wow the judges if what you’re wearing makes you feel amazing.

Stay tuned for next weeks blog post, where we discuss Cheerleading with Milly and what the training regime looks like. To read our previous Barefooter stories, click here!

Training, perseverance and knowledge!

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Ever wondered what the training regime was like for an athlete? We recently sat down with Nick Fadden to hear about his training regime and what he does to ensure his body is able to perform at the highest level.

Nick Fadden 4Interview with Nick Fadden:

Q: You have previously competed in 800m, 400m and 400m hurdles but have recently made the switch to the decathlon, competing in 10 events over 2 days. Tell us what your training schedule looks like and what inspired you to change events.

A: My training schedule is a bit of a funny one with work. My day starts with a 7am gym session 3-4 times a week. This incorporates programs that work my entire body due to such a variety in my events. I will try and squeeze in a quick 5-7km run at lunch time every day, I like to keep the pace for the overall run below 4min per km, it help flush my legs from gym in the morning. In the afternoon I have two track sessions during the work week and one on the weekend, so Monday will be my toughest session for the week with heavy lactic session – long reps up around 300-400m per rep at a high intensity. Wednesday will generally be my speed session for the week and can be 60m -200m reps looking to really sit at the 90-95% effort range (favourite session because it’s shorter). Wednesday usually includes hurdles depending on how the legs are feeling. Tuesday is plyometrics, shot put and high jump, I can be at training until 9pm if I really working on particular aspects of shot put or high jump. Thursday is pole vault and long jump with another long run. I like to do it in an interval fashion that my mate showed me: 90secs on 60 off, 60 on 30 off, 30 on 15 off 15 on etc. It’s great for my technique do this. I get Friday off track so I love to go rock climbing as a bit of cross training with a quick plyometric session. Saturday is my biggest day with high jump, shot put, javelin, discus, pole vault, and my last track session which is a longer one. My bread and butter (training involves) either 10x200m or 10x400m, they are all about maintaining my pace through the entire set. Sunday is a long jog and my day to go do some more adventurous sports.

So welcome to my silly training week!

Q: What lead you to switch to Decathalon?

A: My inspiration to do the switch to decathlon was my good friend and training partner Cedric Dubler and coach, Eric. After watching Cedric qualify for the Rio Olympics I thought it’d be fun to switch up what I was doing and my coach thought Cedric would need more training partners for all of the events.

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Q: Outside of athletics, you are regularly chasing adrenaline in some other way. Tell us more about your other favourite activities and why you’re passionate about them.

A: My favourite sports outside of athletics would have to be climbing, white-water kayaking, snow skiing, surfing, wake boarding, sailing and cycling (road and MTB). Each of these give me new challenges and an escape from normal training and work. With such a busy training schedule I’m always looking for something different which I can go to new places to experiences. I get to meet lots people who are passionate about the same sports and guidance on how to really get the most out of each of the sports.

Q: You are almost finished studying your musculoskeletal therapy degree – how does this help you take care of your body with all the full-on activities you put it through?

A: Having learnt about the body it has allowed me to understand when my body has had enough and how to make the most of it when I’m training (although I still push it to its limits). I’ve learnt how to increase my range of movements and decrease any restrictions that I may have from prior injuries and from training. This allows me to do such a different range of activities. From studying this degree it allows me to understand and appreciate the treatment, advice and homework I get from sessions with Barefoot Physiotherapy and other health practitioners I see.

If you would like to learn more or book in an appointment with one of our physio’s click here!

Barefooter Aidan has his ABC’s down pat – Ambos, Bikes and Coffee

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Healthy Lifestyle PhysiotherapyAidan Jeffes is a true Barefooter. He leans in to all areas of his life; be it his passion for motorbike riding, perfecting latte art or becoming a paramedic. Not to mention he spends almost as much time at the Red Brick House as we do! He is always early to his appointments to allow lots of chill out time in the Lounge Room. Aidan is continually improving his bike, his life and the lives of those around him. We sat down with him, to learn more about what makes this Barefooter tick.

  1. You have spent time as part of the St John’s Ambulance service and have also just been accepted into Paramedics and Nursing course. Tell us more about your adventures with St John’s and what you are most looking forward to in your new degree?
    I’ve been part of the volunteer first aid side of St. John since about the middle of 2013. At the time I didn’t really have an interest in the health field, and my friend convinced me it would be a fun, fulfilling, and interesting hobby. She was 110% correct.Aidan Jeffes 4On one occasion, I was doing first aid with St. John at the annual army cadet camp up in Tin Can Bay. While they were shooting, they asked us to be there just in case something happened. As my colleague and I were sitting there watching we were debating if we should ask to have a go, at that exact point the detachment commander came up and asked if we wanted to shoot. So we did. I scored pretty high, 93/100, and my colleague scored 78/100 from memory.After about the first year with St Johns, I decided I wanted to pursue a career in the health field, particularly Paramedicine and Emergency Nursing. In December 2016 I finally received an offer to study the dual degree. I think I am most looking forward to the challenge that can be presented by this field, especially because every patient I will see will be different. I also look forward to meeting so many new people and hearing about what drew them into the health field.
  2. Most weekends you can be found motorbike riding all over Queensland. Tell us about some of your favourite rides and what it is you love about getting out on the bike?Aidan Jeffes 2Just about every weekend I can be found out in the Gold Coast Hinterland riding with my neighbour. Our usual Sunday route is up Tambourine Mountain, then along Beechmont, then out towards Natural Bridge. The final part towards Natural Bridge is my favourite riding road that I’ve come across so far. I think my other favourite ride is a big day long adventure I had with my friend a few months ago, it was basically all off road all through D’Aguilar National Park, it was hard work, but so much fun exploring, and the scenery was just incredible too. The thing that draws me to motorcycling is the freedom. There is nothing between you and the outside world and you get to experience everything about every journey (Even if it means getting wet in the rain… NOT FUN!), and I also find it a really good stress relief because it focuses your mind on one thing, riding.
  3. You currently work at Starbucks- what is your favourite order to make and your favourite order to drink and why?I actually really enjoy making lattes, there is just something about getting the perfect milk texture combined with really well poured shots that is just so satisfying. Plus then you get to do some fancy latte art, which in my case is usually just a heart because I don’t know how to do anything else yet. My personal favourite drink to have myself is super specific, it is a Iced Quad Ristretto half Single Origin roast, half Normal Espresso, Hazelnut Latte. Needless to say I usually just make it myself.Aidan Jeffes 3

Lauren – Beachy Speechie Legend!

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Lauren is a Barefooter from way back. Born and bred in America and now living the great Australian dream (she lives so close to the beach she waves to whales from the verandah) Lauren loves life… with such passion that sometimes you can’t help adopting a bit of an American accent when you talk to her.

Lauren thank you for helping us highlight the amazingness of our clients by answering these questions.
As someone who lives a rich and fulfilling Barefoot Lifestyle we want to know more about you (and our Barefooters will be so keen to hear!).

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So Miss Lauren Buonomo (B-U-O-N-O-M-O!) where do we start…

As the eldest of 8 sisters I know you have to answer questions about that all the time but can you share with us what growing up with that many siblings is like? And tell us about what Saturday morning at the Buonomo household (in AMERICA!) was like growing up.

Growing up with all of my sisters was a lot of fun. The house was always full of people, including the family and the random assortment of friends. Our place was the place everyone came to. There was food always cooking and many a great conversation took place over the island bench or at the kitchen table. For visual effect, it is important to know that our extra long table was flanked by two extra long bench seats. That way there was always a way to squeeze more bottoms on to join in all the food and fun.

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The first time Blair came home to meet my family I think he started to fear what he had gotten himself into. Blair is the eldest of two boys and this was a very big contrast. Conversations are always going to be loud when there are 10 people at the dinner table. One time we were driving in the car and Blair goes “Why are you yelling at me?”, as I had maintained my American-family volume as we drove into the city.

Happy USA family

Saturday mornings were often spent at soccer matches but on the weekends and the Saturday mornings where leaving the house at 6 am to drive for 3 hours for a soccer game wasn’t on the cards, my mom had something else to monopolize her beautiful children’s day. It was CHORES. Now my mom had an absolutely ingenious way of organising her children to do their chores. She simply wrote a list of all the things that needed doing on a yellow legal pad and would leave it on the kitchen bench. Chores were a first in best dressed sort of thing. Sign up when you wake up! We learned about cost-benefit analysis quite early. Was having a sleep in more beneficial to having to spend 4 hours cleaning the garage? (If you are wondering what the answer is… the answer is NO! Always No when cleaning the garage of 8 children’s worth of things in the garage which no longer has space of actual cars.)

We know you are an extremely talented and passionate Paediatric Speech Pathologist and your eyes light up whenever you are around children. What drew you to working with little people initially? And do you have a funny story from working with one of the kids that you can share?

I guess growing up in the family I described above made working with kids a natural progression for me. Kids are fun and who wouldn’t want to play everyday for work  In saying that, there is also something really special about helping a child to do something or say something for the first time.

Now I have more than a few funny stories to share but there is one in particular which always makes me smile. I was doing speech therapy with a little girl who had a pretty strong lisp. All /s/ sounds were pronounced with a rather strong /th/. I was only new to work and still had a rather strong American accent. This little girl and I were sitting at the table doing some fun /s/ speech sound therapy with picture cards of /s/ words. We happened across a picture card of a sailor and I said “Look, it’s a Sailor” stressing the /s/ and exaggerating the word to demonstrate placement of her articulators. This little girl without missing a beat goes “It’s not a thailor; it’s a thal-ah”. She was calling out my American accent and the/r/ at the end of the word. To this day I make sure I “butt-ah my bread” and know “sail-ahs go to sea”.

Who is someone you really look up to and why?

This is a really hard question, because I have two someones I look up to – Kathleen and Louis Buonomo. They are my parents. Each has taught me and shown me something different. (I am realising I am doing a lot of talk about my family but I really think the way I grew up shaped me more than any of my other more varied life experiences.)

Both of my parents were the first of their families to get a college degree. They showed me the importance of getting an education. They instilled a very strong work ethic when it came to school. School work always came first and always trying to do better and learn more came next.

My mother, Kathleen, is a nurse anaesthetist and got her masters degree while working and had three young children at home (and I am pretty sure she was pregnant with the fourth). She works harder than anyone I have ever met. She is driven and focused. My mother is unwavering in her commitment to her family and is so self-sacrificing. She leaves for work before any of us are up yet and has already done two loads of laundry, made breakfast and organised dinner before first light. My mother taught me that if I want something then hard work and education are the ways to get it. I always knew my mother was mentally strong and driven. This was a picture of my mother that never waivered.

Barefoot Lifestyle

But only since I have been working in the hospital with very young babies and considering having children myself, do I realize how physically strong my mother is. In fact, I would say I am in awe of this newly recognised character trait. I guess if you are going raise 8 intelligent, strong and independent women you need someone as special as Kathleen Buonomo to blaze that trail and lead the way by example. I hope one day to be half the woman she is with perhaps a quarter of the children 

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My father, Louis, runs the family business and is a wholesaler of all things shoe related. He dreams of working part-time, which he defines at 40hours a week. More than his strong work ethic my father has taught me how to be compassionate. He is kind and always doing things for others. When my dad had just finished college, he travelled to the Philippines to teach and travelled all over. My dad also recently sent a shipping container full of musical instruments over to a school in Uganda so they could have a music program. He showed me that traveling is an important part of learning who we are and sharing ourselves with the world. He is part of the reason why I felt brave enough to leave my home at 22 to experience something new and to get my masters degree overseas. (He also indulged me in 4 years of an English Literature degree saying “That’s how people got their educations in the old days… by reading books”).

He has shown me what it means to listen and how sitting down for meals is an important part of that process. And even more than that, he has shown me how to make much from little. He jokes that being a short-order cook was the best training he ever had to be a father. And on top of that he has taken up running triathlons for fun!
We recently had the Olympics, a fantastic celebration of nations… who do you cheer in international sport?

When the Olympics were on we had them playing non stop in our place from opening to closing ceremony. Blair and I both got right into following our favourite sports as well as learning about a few more we didn’t know about (like handball! How awesome is that game?!).

If Australia is ever competing I have to cheer for the good ol’ green and gold. But I will always be an American at heart (loud, competitive and big fan of stripes ). If an Aus vs USA match is happening, then I have to cheer on my home country. Although, just between you and me, I feel great pride in whichever team takes the win!

Barefoot Lifestyle
Beachy speechie life!

Thank you Lauren! Enjoy the sunshine! Sal and the Barefoot team

Caitlin’s Rio Olympics Adventure

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olympics

Our fastest physio, Caitlin, has just returned from the 2016 Rio Olympic Games!

Caitlin and her team ran in the women’s 4x400m relay and smashed their personal best in the heats to qualify for the finals. Woohoo, well done girls!

This was an awesome effort as our girls were the first women’s team to compete in the 4x400m finals since the 2000 Sydney Games with Cathy Freeman. And we could not have been more proud of our star athlete and her teammates!

Caitlin is passionate about encouraging and enabling people to live healthy and active lives, and in this interview she reveals how she personally approaches it.

Plus, she talks about the nerve-wracking moments before being selected, her amazing experience in Rio, whilst also uncovering how she prepares herself for such big occasions.

So with that in mind, let’s get stuck into it…

Q: Where were you and what was your reaction when you found out that you were going to the Rio Olympics?

A: I was actually on my lunch break at Barefoot! I didn’t know exactly when we would find out, so I had been sneakily checking my phone between clients for a call or text all day.

And then when I checked my email on my lunch break there was a very formal email saying I had been selected! It was a massive relief and a weight lifted off my shoulders to know I was definitely going. Then it was quite overwhelming and emotional to know I had achieved something I had been working towards for so long. I had to keep it a secret until the team was officially announced the next day… but I still called my coach, mum and husband.

 

Q: How long and hard have you been training for this? (ie what’s your training schedule, when did you discover you were a runner, and what else do you do to increase your ability?)

A: I have been training with my coach for 12 years now (yes, half my life!). When I was younger I adored my brother so I played AFL like him. And then when I went to primary school athletics day, my PE teacher suggested I try some athletics programs out at UQ.

Throughout school I always just ran because it was fun and I was good at it. When people asked me if I was going to go to the Olympics one day, I didn’t really have an answer for them because I knew that would be an incredible achievement. And I didn’t know if that’s where I’d end up in the future. I made my first Australian team (Junior) in 2010, when I was 18. And that was when I first thought that maybe I could actually go to the Olympics.

My training has obviously changed quite a bit over the 12 years I have been with my coach, Eric Brown. He was very good at holding me back when I was younger, and not burning me out. We have gone from 2 track sessions a week to gradually adding sessions, as well as building the intensity of training.

At the moment I am on the track 3 times a week, plus running on the road. On top of this, I do 2 gym sessions a week and I’ve just added in a specific Pilate’s session. I also spend time doing self-releases, working on maintaining appropriate muscle activation, good posture and running technique under extreme fatigue. Plus, I also ensure I recover well which means wholesome nutritious food, appropriate sleep and even ice baths!

Q: The training after you found out you had qualified for the Olympics must have been intense – how did you make sure your nerves and body wasn’t holding onto the stress and pressure you were under?

A: I have been having regular physio check ups and maintenance treatment for the past 8 years (approximately). So my body was already in good shape. It was just a matter of continuing to be vigilant with my self-testing, and addressing any issues that came up ASAP. I also continued with my self-releases and increased the frequency of my massage and acupuncture treatments.

 

Q: We don’t say ‘good luck’ here at Barefoot, because if you’re working hard enough, luck doesn’t come into it – but do you have any rituals before a race?

A: My ‘race rituals’ are mostly about doing things that make me feel comfortable and at my ‘best self’. So I like to have fancy nails that match my uniform and hair ribbons that match my uniform too. I almost always eat a chicken and salad sandwich, as I know this sits well in my stomach when I have a few butterflies.

Then there are more performance related things- so I have beetroot juice 2 hours before (it helps improve the ability to access oxygen in the blood), caffeine 1 hour before, and I start warming up 45 minutes before I need to be ready

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Caitlin and the Women’s 4 x 400m Relay Team

Q: How do you deal with nerves the day of a competition so that you can focus and run your best?

A: I have been working with a sports psych recently and he gave me some really great advice. It is completely normal to be nervous and have self-doubting thoughts. So I try not to necessarily stop these thoughts, but rather acknowledge them and move on. If I am really focusing all my energy on the here and now and executing everything properly, then my brain doesn’t have time to take notice of those negative thoughts.

 

Q: Rio got a lot of negative feedback from the media. And we’re all dying to know, what was it really like in the Olympic Stadiums and the Village?

A: I had a great time in Rio. There are always going to be some logistical hassles when you are co-ordinating that many people and so many different sports, cultures, venues etc. I have seen that at almost every big competition I have been to.

So there were definitely a few hiccups (like our toilet seat sliding sideways every time you sat on it!). But overall I thought they did a good job. They certainly put in a lot of effort to make the village very aesthetically pleasing. My room looked out onto a lovely man-made lake and fountain!

The stadium was quite small compared to other major internationals I have been to. However, it was still very loud and had a great atmosphere for both my races. We had Brazil in our heat which was great- it’s always good when you have the home crowd noise!

 

Q: What’s the future hold for you at the Olympics and other events?

A: The next really exciting thing is the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in April 2018. I am so excited to compete in front of a home crowd!! That is going to be really awesome. Our 4x400m is still young and developing so we are really aiming to medal by the time the Comms come around. I would also like to run the individual 400m at the Gold Coast. It’s going to be tough competition to make the team, but that’s what makes our relay so strong!

Before all that though, we have World Relay championships (May 2017 in Bahamas), which is also a great meet. The crowd is always really loud and excited and it was at that meet that the Aussie girls qualified our team for Rio, so I definitely have fond memories from there.

We also have world championships in London (August 2017). I would love to run the individual 400m there too. It’s in the London 2012 Olympic stadium, so that will also be really cool. Then after the Gold Coast, we have world champs in Qatar (2019) and the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

I am definitely keen to continue running until Tokyo, as I think they will put on a really fantastic games. At the moment I am currently back into hard off-season base training trying to make all of these future goals happen! It’s a tough time of the year, as it’s when we do our most physically punishing training. So it’s important to remember why I love the sport, and to have goals to focus on, and get me through the tough training!

 

Not many people get to achieve their childhood dreams like that. But it just goes to show how focus and commitment over the long term pays off.

And keep in mind, it’s through her elite experience as an athlete, that Caitlin can see firsthand the difference that quality physiotherapy can make to performance and injury-prevention.

She enthusiastically utilises her skill-set to show people how great their bodies can and should feel. And she thrives on the challenge of helping people who have been suffering from prolonged pain and stiffness.

So if you’d like to benefit from Caitlin’s physiotherapy sessions to achieve a healthier and stronger body, you can make a booking online to see her by visiting the link here.

 

Cathy Thomson – Engineer of the world

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Cathy Thomson is many things… fun, inspiring, wickedly smart and a bit of a nutter… just our kind of person! A true Barefooter. It’s funny because when you’re talking with Cathy (sometimes asking her to repeat herself because when she talks quickly her Scottish accent can get the better of you) you’ll be discussing something like the awesome new local cafe, how it’s so great to be able to catch up with friends there and how much you miss your mates when you’re in the jungle… wait what?! The jungle? Oh yeah that’s right, Cathy travels round the world for work, family and friends but still is 100% grounded in the day to day. The norm for her is not really the norm for most but she makes you feel like it is! We asked her some questions we wanted to know more about, and we thought you’d be interested in.

You have spent some time working in “the jungle” – can you tell us more about what this was like?

CATHY JUNGLE WORK

When I tell people I worked in the jungle they generally respond “the jungle?” with disbelief in their voice and I say, yes, the middle of the jungle, in Guyana in South America.

I worked there for 5 months from April to September last year in some of the most challenging conditions I’m likely to ever have the pleasure of experiencing.  To put some context around it before flying to Guyana I had just finished up on a project in rural NSW where I had a decent size room to myself in a camp off site, a nearby pub with tap beer and decent food, an IGA, an air conditioned modern gym and a 10 days on, 4 days off roster with a charter flight up and down from Brisbane.

Guyana could not have been more different. The typical journey was Brisbane to Los Angeles to New York to Georgetown, Guyana and the same to return. From Georgetown it was a 45 minute flight in a single engine 12 seater plane onto a dirt airstrip and then into the back of the troop trucks with suitcases!  I shared a room with another girl and there was one bathroom between two rooms. I spent 30 days at a time on site with 10 days off and once you were there that was it…there was no local pub (although there was a recreation room that sold beer and had pool tables) no IGA and a very basic gym!

When I first arrived the gym was basic, a small wooden shed with a dusty floor.  There were 2 benches, 2 barbells, some dumbbells…which was enough for me to do something! My gym sessions when I was there focused on bench press, deadlift and squat and I put together some training sessions round those lifts.  I chucked in a couple of circuit type body weight workouts too. The guys on site were pretty interested in the little Scottish woman who lifted weights…some offered tips, some helped me load the bar and others just nodded in approval!  I also took my trusty tennis balls with me and spent time doing my releases.

CATHY EXERCISE

When I got back for my second roster there was a full on gym with treadmills and bikes and loads more weights…it was gym junkie heaven except there was still no air con and it was much busier than the first little gym.  I managed to keep up some sort of training most of the time I was there. From time to time things would slip, fatigue would set in after long days at work and also towards the end of a 30 day roster just about all I could manage was dinner and bed…I learned to train as much as I could early in the roster!

I was lucky to work with some good people there too…there was a diverse mixture from Australia, Peru, Chile, Venezuela and Guyana. There was lots of Spanish spoken and unfortunately not much of it understood by me!

I also took advantage of my time there to embrace some other aspects of the “Barefoot Lifestyle” by using one break to visit my family in Scotland, another to visit the Caribbean exploring islands and scuba diving and another to visit Brazil.  Time spent in beautiful places with family and good friends is perfect medicine for the soul!

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My time in the jungle is a perfect demonstration of the idea that “Every situation is both good and bad at the same time, what changes is your perception of it”. Taking a moment every day to be grateful for the little things, like a pretty sunrise or chips with dinner or being able to lift weights, helped shift my attitude from grumpy to grateful and meant I embraced the adventure and have some fabulous memories! This is a photo montage of my Grateful 365 project.

Grateful Cathyl

I’d love to say that 5 months there didn’t take its toll on my body, unfortunately it did.  Lots of plane time, long work days and a pretty uncomfortable mattress means I’ve been in recovery mode since I got back. So that leads me to my “list”…

Your daily “list” of activities you do to take care of yourself is inspiring – would you mind sharing all or a few (& why you believe it’s beneficial)?

I started back with Monday to Friday life in October last year and I was struggling to get back into a good routine, it was like starting all over again. My first step was to think what works for me…well that’s actually a lie…my first step was to do nothing, or not much anyway. I was going to PT sessions and not doing anything else in between, going to Physio and “maybe” doing my releases in between, I was drinking beer on the balcony because it was Tuesday (if you’d seen my view you’d understand!) so then I started thinking “how can I set myself some small, achievable things to do that will help me live the “healthy” life I value.”  I’ve always got “to do” lists on the go for mundane things in life like car insurance, cleaning etc. so I decided to start one with my health goals in mind.

I kept it simple…small things that I was going to aim to do in the coming week, it looked a little something like this:

  1. Green smoothie every day
  2. Stick to bed time and wake up time (9.30PM and 5.30AM)
  3. 10 minute yoga practice every morning
  4. 2 PT sessions (with the fabulous Emma)
  5. 2 x 5km walks
  6. Pack lunch every day
  7. No alcohol until weekend
  8. Physio releases every day
  9. Sunday nature/outdoor time

My inner critic thinks that people will read that list and wonder why it was hard…then I tell her to be quiet.  I spent a long time (2 years on projects in total) living a very different life so even getting back into small things has been difficult. I’ve found that simplicity and routine are two things that are important to help me live my “barefoot life”. It has helped me to introduce a consistency that I was struggling to achieve without it, I’m excited to build on it and introduce a few new things!  I went to Scotland, Ireland and Vietnam for 3 weeks over the holidays so things were a bit different although I still wrote a list and packed my release balls and a gym band…I’m determined do my best to keep my body happy no matter where I am.

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We hear that you have started a Leadership course – how exciting! What made you want to do this?

Now that I’m back into the routine I’ve been threatening to do a Masters for a while and never found the right time or the right Masters. Now I think I’ve found the right course I’ve started it off having realised that there’s never the right time, there’s only ever right now!

I found a Masters that combines Organisational Coaching and Leadership. Some of the most influential people in my life to date have been coaches I’ve worked with…it is very powerful when someone helps you realise you actually have potential and then goes on to help you realise it. So I did my first 3 days Organisational Coaching training this month and loved it!

In my industry (construction and engineering) we can become very focused on getting the job done and sometimes forget “who” does the job. I think by changing that we end up with a more engaged and motivated worker who gets the job done because they want to, not because they have to.  I came up with my definition of Organisational Coaching during the training, my sell point if you like, “Realise the potential of the people in your business and you will realise the potential of your business”. I believe this applies to any business and it’s a definite passion of mine to share this potential with individuals and organisations.

The whole thing takes around 3 years, first step is a Graduate Certificate in Coaching and Leadership, hopefully before the end of 2016…so watch this space!

Thanks Cathy, loved reading your answers! Much love Sal and Cherelle

Col Webb – Lifting, family and fishing – What more could you want

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We have the pleasure of being part of Powerlifter Col Webb’s team that keep him on track lifting weights… big weights. Well known as the nice guy of powerlifting, the guy that has moved more fridges in his time than a removal company,  we thought we’d ask a few more questions to find out more about what it takes and why.

What does it take to do what you do? 

Currently, I’m training 5 days a week for about 2-3 hours per session. Averaging about 10,000kg-11,000kg per session or 53,000kg per week. I probably spend at least 30 minutes per session mobilising or releasing tight areas plus try to get an hour a day outside of the gym, to release more problematic areas. I eat 5 meals per day, all of them except breakfast from Paleo Café. Pretty much meat and veg for four meals and usually eggs for breakfast… If I can eat them before my girls steal them.

So far in the U83kg class my best lifts are a 272.5kg squat, 155kg bench and a 290kg deadlift. At my first worlds in Russia I won bronze in the deadlift and at my second worlds in South Africa I won a bronze in the squat. This year I’m staying local and aiming to compete a little less so I can put together some bigger training blocks and hopefully higher totals.

deadlift at iu

How did it come about?  How did you get started?

Almost through necessity. I’d given up rugby league and was going a little stir crazy. Then after a session with a powerlifter at his gym I squatted 200kg and was told that was pretty good, and that I should powerlift. I went home and googled powerlifting and thought it looked like fun. Signed up, lifted some stuff and had a ball. My competitive side kicked in as it always does and I haven’t looked back since.

Why do you do it?

Hahaha, I’m not really sure. I spend hours in the gym where I could be fishing or kitesurfing. I eat because I have to not because I’m hungry. I don’t drink through the year just so I can recover faster. Fatigue never leaves and if it does it’s because there is a comp coming which will leave you feeling like you’ve been hit by a mack truck. The things I wouldn’t do for a nap or for 10 blocks of chocolate.

I think at the end of the day it just comes down to wanting to see just how far I can actually push my body without breaking. Being arrogant enough to think I have the potential to be the best, and competitive enough to not want to stop until I’m there. But most importantly I want to make my family and the people who support me proud, and to perform well enough to deserve the praise they so readily send my way. And if I get big and strong enough to scare any potential boyfriends away from my girls, that would be a much appreciated bonus.

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Who do you look up to?

In powerlifting, I’d have to say Mike Tuchscherer. He’s been world champion multiple times with multiple world record lifts. Is an absolute technician with his training and always looks in control on the platform. Coaches a bucket load of lifters, myself included for 1.5yrs. But still has all the time in the world to help new lifters and fans out. He’s a real gentleman of our sport and to this day I haven’t heard him utter a negative word about anyone. If I could be half the coach that he is I’d be a happy man.

What about outside of powerlifting, who do you look up to?

 I don’t have to look far for this one. My beautiful wife Jen sacrifices heaps for me to be able to do what I do, and never bats an eyelid. Amongst working full time, studying for her second masters and being Mum to two beautiful girls she still finds the time to be there for us. I’m fairly laid back (lazy) and wouldn’t push for much if it wasn’t for her backing and having enough drive for the both of us.

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Thanks Col, Jen, Tals and Chantelle!

Sal