COVER MODEL INTERVIEW ATHLETE: SOPHIE GUIDOLIN sophieguidolin.com.au // @sophie_guidolin HAIR & MAKEUP: EFI TZAGARAKIS efitzagarakismakeup.com // @efi_t_makeup PHOTOGRAPHER: JESSICA APAP jessicaapap.com // jessicaapap_photographer
Bullies and
Barbells
Nutritionist, Trainer and mother of four, Sophie Guidolin has made a life-changing transformation over the past 12 months – and it had nothing to do with her body. STRONG Australia’s Editor-in-Chief, Katelyn Swallow, caught up with her to ask one ‘simple’ question: how did she manage to get so happy and how can we all do the same in 2020? MY ROAD TO FITNESS
After having my sons and gaining a lot of weight, I fell in love with the way exercise and proper nutrition could transform my body and mind. I wanted to help others to feel the best they could, too, so I studied the necessary credentials and began competing in bikini and fitness competitions – where, to my surprise, I won every federation I competed in. One of my most significant career highlights would have to include being awarded my IFBB Bikini Pro Card after 10 years of hard work and despite being told to take steroids and switch coaches, as well as giving birth to my twins in that time, too. Turning pro proved that you don’t have to buy into the politics or be coached by anyone special – you just need to show up and do the hard work, again and again. I think finding my purpose has also been a highlight. Throughout my career I have evolved from a 22-year-old mum to a 30-year-old boss babe. I’ve spent the past year reflecting on what success means to me and aligning my lifestyle to my own values and what I want from my life. This has brought immense happiness internally – I feel more in charge of my life and decisions. I no longer feel stuck, and I now embrace change: life happens for me, not to me. 4
STRONGFITNESSMAG.COM.AU
December/January 2020
