It's been around 8-10 years since I ever touched a dumbbell in my life. The very first photo I remember distinctly. Obvious from my facial expression, I wasn't very happy with the way I looked. I had a bulging stomach, scrawny arms, a sunken chest, and was very very pale. I didn't want to get "swole" or build a tonne of muscle unlike most young men/boys. The main reason I started working out was to escape the cycle I found myself in. A cycle of smoking, drinking, partying/raving, taking drugs, with no purpose at all. Something inside me told me I needed to change or else I would end up as a nobody. Self improvement circles online told me to start working out so that's exactly what I did. I signed up to the nearest gym and started educating myself about self improvement and fitness. I started to journal, cook, and go to the gym. In all honesty, I did this in a very secretive manner in the beginning. I didn't really want anyone to know that I was making these changes. It was a very personal project of mine. I didn't know at that time but this was a very pivotal moment in my life. It changed the way I navigated the world. It influenced the work I do, the way I carried myself, my interests, and most importantly it gave me clarity. I continue to use the momentum today to evolve and without this pivotal moment I wouldn't be where I am today. Along the year the confidence and self-esteem that I gained has allowed me to: - study abroad in Europe - solo backpack over South America - Live in South East Asia as a digital nomad - travel to 16+ countries - make several career transitions (escaped corporate rat race) - create meaningful relationships - start my own business It's truly given me the strength to expand my comfort zone in many ways. Currently, I'm a Personal Trainer and Nutritionist working out of Anytime Fitness Ashfield. I'm also a full-time student at UNSW studying Dietetics and Food Innovation. For now, my goal's to run my own practice and work in the food industry one day. My current interests are health, spirituality in the form of buddhism, and most things nature (I love camping).