Meet 4 inspiring individuals who you may have seen pushing out some impressive sets in the gym, collecting some serious kilometres in the cardio and spin room or balancing their way through a Pilates or yoga class. Let us introduce you to some inspirational women and members of the Dolphins Health Precinct. All four ladies love diverse training to maintain their healthy lifestyle and sporting endeavours and they all share a little zero at the end of their age this year. All four ladies are celebrating a decade related birthday in 2017 and they all have a story to share.
[dt_sc_hr_invisible]Meet the ladies:
Maggie Smith (70)
Maggie is a valued Member of Dolphins Health Precinct and has been with us for many years. This fit and inspiring 70 year old is a regular here at the health precinct particularly in our Balance Mind & Body studio. Maggie is 70 this year and our team see her almost every day looking fantastic and wearing that beautiful smile that she has. “Being a member of the Dolphins gym keeps me busy while getting fit, strong and healthy. I have made lots of new friends and enjoy the positive happy atmosphere. I regularly attend Purely Barre, Pilates, yoga, spin class and I enjoy weight training in the gym. The instructors are first class and the staff are caring and friendly” Maggie said.
[dt_sc_hr]Robyn Symons (60)
Robyn is always seen in the facility working out as hard as anyone you see. She is regular with her training and incorporates functional elements, cardio and weights training to keep her fit for Dragon Boat racing competition. Like Maggie above, you would not know that Robyn is the age she is. This year Robyn reaches 60 and you would never guess. Robyn shared her story with us and it is an inspirational reminder that we are as great as we train to be.“I have been a Registered Nurse since I was 17 years old and health has always been a priority in my life. From the age of 5 I played netball in winter and swam in summer. I still swim however I gave netball away in my late 40’s (I thought I should try and keep my knees intact).”
[dt_sc_hr_invisible]“Working shift work and raising our four kids did make it difficult to exercise and it wouldn’t be unusual to see me out late at night going for a run. Sometimes that run would make the difference between coping and not coping. I have had some very exciting sporting opportunities racing in Dragon Boats at State, National and World levels. As a team we medalled consistently which resulted in a draw full of bling. I don’t look at those medals but I frequently remember the excitement of winning and the friendship we shared as a team. The most memorable was an invitational tour racing through China, at one race we had over 110 thousand people yelling “Jai You” which means “fight team fight, do your best” we didn’t win that day but what an exciting experience.”
[dt_sc_hr_invisible]“I’ve been at Dolphins since it opened and I really like the inclusive nature of the gym. No matter your fitness level, age or ability the staff and personal trainers are always willing to help out. For me friendship is a motivator to exercise and I’ve been lucky to have met some wonderful people at the gym who are always ready to laugh at me and with me. Health is different for all of us but as I constantly ask my 87 year old mum, ‘what’s the 3 criteria for good health?’ Mum says ‘eat good food, keep active and be social’.”
“They say wisdom comes with age and a wise elderly man shared his wisdom with me one day. He said, ‘I swim by the calendar now not the clock’. I like his approach to health and I hope I’m still swimming at his age.”
Katherine Dixon (50)
Katherine is a quiet achiever. Like Robyn, Katherine is a competing Dragon Boat competitor who has recently represented Queensland in the State championships coming home with 2 gold medals. Katherine has been a valued Member of Dolphins Health Precinct since 2013 and always brings with her a friendly smile and a determination to train hard. Katherine shares a little about herself with us. “My name is Katherine (Kat) Dixon and I turn 50 this year. I have been married for nearly 20 years and have two children aged 17 and 13. I have been going to the gym since I was 16, taking a long break in my mid 20’s until I was 40 to have kids and establish a number of businesses with my husband. We recently spent 4 years in the USA and were lucky enough to travel for 4 months around the country before returning home.” “The gym is my second home, work and life permitting, I try to get there 5 days a week. Going to the gym can lead to so many different things; friendship, confidence, fitness, strength, weight loss and social connections. Through the Dolphins Gym I met Robyn Symons (Mrs 60) who introduced to me to Dragon Boat Racing. It is a sport I love and compete in regularly. I have met many people and have made some very dear friends. This year through hard work and training I was selected to represent Queensland, where we competed in Albury in April, returning with 2 gold medals. I intend to continue training hard both on the water and at the gym to be selected again for next year’s team.”
[dt_sc_hr]Michelle Culibrk (40)
Meet Michelle, one of the most regular and hardest training people in the gym and a member of Dolphins Health Precinct since 2014. You would have seen Michelle on the cardio machines pushing out some decent kilometres whilst chatting to her work-out mates. Michelle spends plenty of time on the floor with her own functional training routines which keeps her training diverse and fun. She is always challenging herself. Michelle shared a little about herself with us. “Hi my name is Michelle and I’ve just turned 40. I lived in Sydney all my life up until 3 years ago when as a family we decided to move to Queensland. I have 3 boys that I want to grow up with self-confidence and a sense of worth. It’s a priority for me they know when to stand up and be a leader but to also know when it’s right to support others to achieve their goals.”
[dt_sc_hr_invisible]“Health and good nutrition is also a priority for me and recently I became the owner of a global wholefood nutrition business. My business enables women and men to make an income from home. Anyone with small kids knows how important and difficult it is to balance family life while trying to work. I like to think through my coaching parents, they are able to do work while caring for a family.I have always loved exercising whether it be 1 or 2 hrs a day, I do this for my own wellbeing but I also I hope I am setting a great example for my children to follow. For me Inspiring healthy living is about good nutrition, exercise and being part of a bigger community.” Michelle said.
[dt_sc_hr_invisible]Michelle is running to raise money for Sarcoma research and her aim is to reach 100km in 7 days in June 2017. Michelle is keen to raise $500 so Dolphins would like to help by reminding everyone to jump onto the link below and help Michelle to raise much needed funds for research. https://www.mycause.com.au/page/151469/run-for-a-cause
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