From Struggle to Strength - The Personal Journey of Community Member Ryan

We took this great opportunity to interview one of our community members, Ryan, and find out more about his current journey with fitness as well as dive into his experiences, motivations, and the lessons he’s learned along the way.

What has your fitness journey looked like?
I have had an amazing fitness journey so far. I’ve learnt so much about myself. Just looking back the past 3-4 years, I can say that I have made a lot of improvements on myself, not only in terms of my physical well-being but, more importantly, in my mental state. I have developed greater discipline and embraced the practice of delayed gratification.

Why did you start training?
I started training around 10-15 years ago, but my true fitness journey only started about 3-4 years ago when my ex and I were going through a separation/divorce. The emotional toll was significant, and I found myself struggling mentally. I often share with others that this experience turned out to be one of the best things that could have happened to me because it set me on the path I'm on today. Through exercise, workouts, and prioritising my well-being with activities like yoga, meditation, and breathing exercises, I have been able to overcome and continue healing from it.

What is your personal training philosophy?
For me, it all comes down to being consistent and practicing a bit of discipline. I'm not aiming to be the biggest or the strongest; it's more of a lifestyle choice for me.

If you could talk to yourself when you first started your fitness journey what advice would you give your younger self?
Ask yourself what you truly want to achieve. While others, such as people or personal trainers, may offer suggestions, the ultimate truth is that we must discover it for ourselves—what we truly want for ourselves. Everything we require is already within us; we simply need to acknowledge it and take action. We should trust the process because it’s a marathon, not a sprint.

"Nothing happens overnight, so let's enjoy, love, and respect the journey."

Who/what inspires you and why?
Truth be told, I could mention so many people, but to be honest, there's only one true inspiration in my life, and that's myself. And, of course, hearing and learning from other people's life experiences. I always say that we can learn so much just by sharing each other's life experiences/journeys.

What personal attribute do you give the most credit to your success?
Genuinely embracing my authentic self, living in alignment with my values, and accepting responsibility for my actions.