COVER MODEL INTERVIEW ATHLETE: STEPHANIE SANZO, stephaniesanzo.com // @stephaniesanzo HAIR & MAKEUP: CYNTHIA SMYTH, cynthiasmythmakeup.com.au // @cynthiasmyth_makeup PHOTOGRAPHER: JESSICA APAP, jessicaapap.com // jessicaapap_photographer
buildING AN EMPIRE
Our foundation cover model, mother and SWEAT trainer Stephanie Sanzo is not only strong in body, but also strong in mind – but it has taken sheer determination and years of hard work to get there. She talked to STRONG Australia about losing 25 kilos and gaining 1.4 million Instagram followers, why she swapped her runners for barbells, steak and spinach breakfasts, and building an impressive 160kg deadlift. MY ROAD TO FITNESS Eight years ago, I would have laughed if you’d told me I would be in the fitness industry. Fitness was never a part of my upbringing, so the idea of exercise was an intimidating concept. My fitness journey began after my first pregnancy, when I gained 25kg! I had very little knowledge about nutrition and gave in to all my cravings. I also went from working full time to being a stay-at-home mum, so my body and my lifestyle went through a massive change. It was the most unsettled and unhappy I had ever felt in terms of overall health. 4
STRONGFITNESSMAG.COM.AU
Those feelings of inadequacy were strong enough for me to finally make a change. I educated myself and incorporated running into my routine, which I quickly began to appreciate as an outlet for any negative feelings and a source of meditation. Pregnancy was even more challenging the second time around – I experienced a prolapse in my bladder during birth, which ruled out running in the future. I was devastated, but also driven to find an alternative mode of exercise. I started weight training, and quickly fell in love with the strength and confidence I gained. October/November 2019
