I normally cringe at a lot of what I see in gyms, poor form, ego’s getting in the way, people trying to lift weights clearly beyond their capabilities, young kids jacked up on pre-workouts charging around like they are in a nightclub. I do however remember one day at the gym seeing this incredibly sculpted physique in the corner of my eye and was quite intrigued to see how she trained. So I did as probably many have done pretending to mind my own business and snuck a cheeky gaze over every so often and was checking out her training. It was pretty obvious after a few sneaky peeks this was someone who took their training very seriously & respected their body by training smartly. I must say I was actually a little bit intimidated by Danae and never introduced myself for some time however we crossed paths in the gym one day and I did eventually introduce myself and had a bit of a chat and soon realised there was nothing to be intimidated by. Danae is a very talented individual across many diverse walks of life (as you will see in this interview), and one of the most humble and genuine individuals I have had the pleasure of meeting.

So Danae you are an ANB/UFE Pro & have competed at high levels in the fitness category of bodybuilding can you tell us how you came about to get involved in that sport?I have always been a very active person and moved from sports based training into the gym after leaving high school. I enjoyed Les Mills classes, particularly Body Pump – the weights based fitness class. From here I wanted to extend on the basics and got a Personal Trainer to write me a program focused on my goals. I loved the changes I started seeing within my body from weight lifting and the improvement in my general strength. A few gym friends suggested I give competing a go and the rest is history! I trained with a friend who had competed in the mens bodybuilding category and helped me learn a lot about the sport, especially the training it required. I also joined a group called the Southwest Hot Bodz (still an active group) who helped me learn about stage presence, including posing and routines. I payed to have a nutrition plan written to make the necessary changes for a ‘stage body’.

Correct me if I’m wrong but did I hear that you qualified to earn an entry to compete in Canada, and can you tell us a bit about that experience?Yes, that’s right. I qualified entry to compete in Toronto, Canada as a UFE Professional Fitness Model after winning the overall Fitness Model Title at the ANB Sydney National Championships in 2014. That was a life changing experience for me where I felt like I had a lot of personal growth in a short time. I flew to Canada on my own, and competed without any family or friend support like I had with previous competitions. The international competition was so different because instead of competing in front of a live audience, it was in front of a judging panel and a camera crew who were broadcasting the event on TV. It completely changed the energetic and electric vibe that normally goes with stepping on stage and that was certainly a mental challenge! I came away a much stronger and independent person, with a realisation that I had the capabilities of achieving anything I put my mind to. That is the most life changing and wonderful feeling I could ever have found.

You’ve obviously seen a lot being involved in competitive fitness modelling which amongst society has a bit of a ‘toxic’ stigma attached to it. I’m sure you have seen some pretty horrendous eating habits and body dysmorphic tendencies can you share with the readers what you personally learnt from being in and around that industry and how it has impacted on your own health journey?My competing journey taught me more about health and fitness than any other field of study I have completed. This is mostly because I was using my own body as the ‘dummy’ where I learnt through application and results what worked and what didn’t with diet and nutrition for my body. Sadly, that doesn’t mean the things you trial with to achieve results are healthy or safe for your body. When you compete nutrition plays a massive role, much bigger than training, as it requires an intense level of discipline, persistence and commitment. Food must be weighed and macro nutrients measured to fit caloric needs set to reach a particular body composition.Admittedly I was very naïve beginning this journey and trusted the information given to me from others. I learnt how dangerous this can be, as the critical thing to remember, is how extremely different each of our bodies are, and how rapid changes to existing habits can be so detrimental to our long term health mentally and physically. I was lucky that I already ate a healthy diet so the main changes were related to portion sizes. However, the obsessive nature of set weighed meals, body analysis (weekly skinfold checks, etc), and comparison (the competitive environment) definitely took a toll on my mental health. When you’re in the competing cycle you are focused and driven because you have a goal in sight of reaching the stage. What people often forget is what happens after the competition is done. Life returns back to normal and suddenly you feel like you have no goal or purpose that is motivating you to eat a certain way or train to a schedule. That loss of focus luckily motivated me in a positive way to reflect on what my life purpose was and to re-focus my energy on new goals. Others get lost in a viscious binge cycle of all the foods they restricted, and can develop self- hate as their body starts to change back to pre-comp condition. Funnily enough I was discussing this with some fellow gym friends who have recently competed and we were saying how the biggest thing people forget to take from competing is the ability to apply the skills of the journey to everyday life and goals – Goal setting, discipline, commitment, focus, self-analysis/reflection, energy...If people applied the same energy they do in a competing journey to all other aspects of their life, they would achieve so much more!

Are you still competing or have you moved on from that sport?I’ve moved on from competing now. I feel like it has taught me all that I need to move onto the other goals in my life. My focus now is on living a healthy and active life and inspiring others to do the same. I still weight lift, I do cardio when I feel like it and because I enjoy it, not because I have to. I eat out with my friends and family and enjoy a glass of red. I am more than ever enjoying the balance that can be found in a healthy lifestyle. I feel this message is a much more positive one to put out there than the competing lifestyle.

What advice would you give readers who struggle with getting motivated to exercise?Motivation is something you have to find within yourself for it to be maintained. Firstly, I would suggest trying lots of different types of exercise to see what you enjoy the most. There is no one size fits all approach to exercising! Some people prefer morning training, others like finishing off their day with exercise. Some people like working out on their own and others like the energy of a group atmosphere. Try different types, times, venues and see what works for you. Get a workout buddy! That always makes training more enjoyable and also makes you less likely to bail out of a session if you know your friend will be there waiting for you :) Make sure you set achievable goals with any training you do – goals can be strength, lifestyle, or mental health focused! Monitor your goals every week and reward yourself when you see you on track to achieving them.Most importantly, keep your motivation high by constantly changing things up and trying new things. Nothing is more boring than doing the same thing everyday!

Do you follow any particular diet?I follow what most would consider a Paleo diet, although I am flexible and certainly have some things I still include that aren’t necessarily Paleofied like wine and coffee :) I enjoy wholefoods – vegetables, fruits, nuts, and mostly lean meats like turkey, chicken and kangaroo. I love to eat organic where I can, and enjoy how good I feel for including foods that promote gut health J I try to be balanced with my diet and remove anything that creates a restrictive mindset.

I have to ask seeing as I am passionate about fermented foods, are these part of your diet and if so do you have a favourite fermented food?I LOVE fermented foods! I eat sauerkraut everyday so that would be a favourite. I love kombucha tea and my sister and I quite often make our own. So far the best fermented food I have had the pleasure of trying was in fact the Fermented cashew cheese you made me Jeremy! Absolutely Ahhhmazing – somebody hand me the self control spoon :)

Now I believe prior to your fitness modelling you also were a competitive dancer can you give us the story there?I started Ballroom Dancing when I was 13, taking classes and completing my medals in Latin, Standard and New Vogue styles. I had always wanted to compete, but the opportunity of a partner never came until I was 22. I auditioned with a male dancer from my studio and was lucky enough to be chosen. We competed in all 3 styles at a state and national level for over 3 years. As well as it being an incredible sport for fitness, it also taught me life skills that I will always value. It was an incredible part of my life that I still enjoy doing socially.

On top of all this competing, training, training clients & taking F45 classes you are actually a school teacher!! How do you manage to fit all of that in?Sometimes I don’t actually know myself how I manage to fit it all in but somehow I do. I have a great balance of work hours that fit in well with each other. F45 is normally early morning and evening sessions, school teaching hours start after morning session times and finish at 3pm, giving me enough time to see clients in the afternoon. I love that I can create a working lifestyle that includes pieces of all the things I am passionate about!

Who are some of your inspirations in life?I have so many! To answer it simply, I am inspired by anyone who has the courage to chase their dreams and live life with purpose and meaning. I respect the strength and persistence it takes. That can be the person starting out a new business, the mum at home looking after the kids while her husband works away (like my sister), the local community member pushing for positive change, or the educated health guru spreading a message of health, kindness and positivity (that one was you Jeremy :)). I am inspired by people who have good values and morals, a positive mindset, and a drive to leave their imprint on the World.

Now rumour has it you are quite the musician… Can you share with us your music background and what part music has played in your life?I don’t know where you have been hearing these rumours :) But yes, I love music and it is another huge passion of mine. My love of music has been fostered from a young age by my Mum who is an incredibly talented musician! She plays and teaches piano, guitar, accordion and organ. At age 4 I was up on stage singing the rainbow song, and this little light of mine. I loved being on the stage! When I was 13 I started playing the guitar which made my love of performing grow even more! I joined a singing group called the ‘Young Guns of Country Music’ and we toured WA playing at many different locations. I also won a scholarship to Tamworth where I spent a week being completely inspired by other very talented musicians and learning to song write. I have played at peoples weddings and funerals, busked, and performed many a Sunday session. I now play for my own enjoyment and do a lot of songwriting. Every family catch up is an excuse to pull out the guitar and sing the many requests that my grandad has at the ready :) (I must confess I have heard Danae play the acoustic and sing and indeed the rumours are true, she is a very talented musician.)

Danae has quite the inspiring Instagram account, highly recommend you take a look: @happywhenfitYou can also find her teaching classes at F45 Bunbury & F45 Treendale

MINT PROTEIN BALLS RECIPE

Ingredients

2 cups cashews
2 cups almonds
½ cup pepita seeds
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 scoop Prana Himalayan Salted Caramel Protein Powder OR flavoured protein of choice
16 pitted medijool dates (soften in hot water for 10 minutes prior to processing)
1 tsp vanilla extract
Mint Oil or Peppermint extract (I haven’t put an amount here as it can be quite a strong flavour, so I would suggest starting with a few drops and tasting as you go to your liking)
Juice and rind of 1 orange

Method

Combine all dry ingredients in a good quality food processor. Blitz to a consistency you like – I enjoy leaving mine with a granola type texture, so I don’t process for as long. Pour into a large mixing bowl.

Add dates, vanilla extract, mint oil and orange juice/rind to food processor. Blitz into a paste.

Add paste mixture to mixing bowl with dry ingredients and prepare to get your hands dirty :) Massage all ingredients together until you have a nice consistency to roll into balls.

Roll into small balls and place in a glass container in the fridge. Recipe should make approximately 20 small sized balls if you don’t eat too many before they make it to the fridge :)