Fitness and Chronic Illness

What were you doing at 17 years of age?

Had you finished school? Were you dating your current partner? Annoying your siblings? or all of the above? 

At age 17 I asked my mother if she would take me to the Australian Institute of Fitness in Adelaide to apply for study.

This was a HUGE shock to my family, as I'd always despised exercise due to the pain of it all and the lack of motivation due to it. I could understand and control my Juvenile Arthritis more by this age and wanted to learn how to help others through health and fitness.

Sure enough we headed from the Adelaide Hills to the big smoke, hopped on the new Adelaide trams (for the Adelaide residents among you) and headed to the Institute. After a few hours we walked out and I was accepted to gain a Health and Fitness Qualification.

Due to completing Year 11 and 12 at the time, I had to take on the study as part of my SACE. This was a challenge as not only did I need to juggle school subjects, but this qualification and my Juvenile Arthritis. 

During the study there was many practical parts involving intense exercise, but I always managed to complete and pass just in my own little Sarah's Way. If you have a child living with Juvenile Arthritis, you know what I'm talking about. 

12 months later I was a qualified health and fitness specialist. 

At age 18 years my first job was at a local gym and from there I began my own business. This was a fun and rewarding experience. I met many people with different goals out of life and this was always the best part. People would come to me with all walks of life. I ran many weekly exercise classes, even one in a Pub. Many days were spent in my gym creating personalised programs and making memories with everyone who walked through the door.

Earlier this year it became a little too much running a small business (that wasn't quite small anymore) and a large national organisation. After 6 years in the industry I focused more on Kids Arthritis Australia.

People who have read my other posts would know that each day I exercise with heavy weights, as it's the most effective, natural way to help the Juvenile Arthritis stiffness and pain to cease for the day.

Don't get me wrong some days it's just too much to exercise, but you'll still find me battling on lifting those weights to make the day that little bit easier.