Getting to know your members and clients is part of being a coach.  Since being at TF I have gotten to know many of them closely and have had the chance to see and learn of many inner meanings of their goals, understand where they’ve come from and the successes and struggles they’ve had. 

 

Soon after joining the TF team, I got to know Cathy, one of the longest serving members, from the classes she attended and even better since she decided to take up personal training with me. 

 

It’s a relationship now that has continued for about 8 months, and I’ve watch Cathy grow and develop herself through the guidance and journey of strength training.  It’s been a pleasure showing Cathy the techniques of lifting, pushing, pulling, everything about doing the heavy stuff.  

 

She started deadlifting 35kg, now she deadlifts 75kg, more than her body weight.  I’ve gotten to know what she likes and what she doesn’t like, and I’ve helped her focus on how to get the best out of her efforts, to make a difference and benefit to herself to build a aura of confidence, that gives her a feeling of wanting to come back to continue that growth. 

 

Like I mentioned before, its been a pleasure to do this because it seems my guidance is in perfect alignment with what she wants to do. 

 

• Coach Stephen

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Cathy, you have trained with TF for 9 years almost and you are like fine wine, getting better and better with each year! So proud of you babe! You are one of the most dedicated people I know. You come in to train but always have a ton of fun in the process. Such a pleasure to have in the TF family. An inspiration to everyone around you!!!! Congratulations on your amazing achievements and learning to really make the most out of your life! Love you to bits hun!!!

 

PS – Giving your business a plug: Cathy is the Co-Owner of The Cheescake Shop on High St Epping! Head on down for all your sweat treats! Yes, we still enjoy fun food at TF! Life is living!!!!

 

• Coach Terri

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Cathy continues to build in many ways.  This is what she has to say on how she started and how she continues:

 

“I started Terrific fitness many years ago, I don’t even remember when I started I just remember Terri running classes outside at a school in Mill Park. [October 2012 😉]

 

My sister was going to her, I lost count how many times she tried to convince me to go with her. Back then I remember, I didn’t want to do any form of exercise at all. I just refused to join a gym.

The thought of me working out would make me sick.

 

Anyway, somehow one day she managed to convince me to go. I still remember my first class like it was yesterday. I literally died the first round and threw up; I was light headed and all.

 

I remember Terri and my sister saying it gets easier and just go at you own pace. I had no idea what I was doing, couldn’t even do a push up or burpee. Didn’t understand any of it. I couldn’t even get my breathing right. I was so unfit, ate a lot of junk food, didn’t like water. Pretty much was doing everything wrong.

 

Back then I started with one class a week and that was plenty for me. Over the years, I started doing a few extra classes, I started to love the energy it would give me. At that stage I still didn’t get my nutrition side of things right, I was working out to balance out my food intake. I own a Cheesecake shop, so I basically couldn’t end my meal without having something sweet. So I would literally eat cheesecake every day, even for breakfast some days.

 

So from 1 class went to 3, then I went platinum. Once I went platinum, that’s when things changed a little more; I aimed to work out 4-5 classes a week, doing a mixture of classes, seeing what I liked. I learnt so much as I worked out. Any coach you have will teach you the right technique. If you couldn’t do something it wasn’t an issue, there were always options.

 

That’s when I realized I loved strength classes and loved to push myself.

 

So I decided to start PT, with the one and only Coach Stephen. I did many of his classes, and as he comes from a military background, I thought he’s the one that will take me to the next level where I want to be.

 

Since starting PT with Coach Stephen, I have come so far, there is not a class or PT session that I won’t push myself further. My whole mindset has changed. I’ve learnt a lot about nutrition and how to fuel your body. The most important thing I’ve learnt is the breathing through exercises and getting your breath back between sets.

 

I’m lifting weights and doing exercises that I never thought I would ever do. Every time I do a push up, I remember my first push up and makes me think how far I have come.

 

I absolutely love everything about Terrific Fitness, and this is because Terri has created and built an amazing coaching team. The whole team of staff are amazing and all so dedicated. They continue to learn more techniques and always give educated advise for all things fitness and nutrition.

 

All you guys are second to none, the support available for us to achieve our health & fitness goals is incredible and I personally can’t thank you all enough. I adore you all and so grateful that my sister forced me to try it out and then I decided to join many years ago.

 

I feel my strongest and most confident version of myself and can’t wait to see my fitness journey grow.

 

I’m so amazed with how far I have come and how much my mindset has changed.

It’s funny when I first started I couldn’t care if I missed a class and now there is nothing getting in the way of it (maybe sometimes work but I’ll make it up if I do).

 

I just hit 85kg on my deadlifts last week and I was stoked! My mission is to hit 100kg and progress from there. I also want to be the first women Stephen has trained to lift heavy.

What an accomplishment it would be for both 😊” – Cathy Fotinos