Editor’s Note

STRONG FITNESS MAGAZINE AUSTRALIA VOLUME 1, ISSUE 3

CONTENT WARNING: THIS EDITOR’S NOTE DISCUSSES THE RECENT BUSHFIRES AND MAY BE TRIGGERING FOR SOME READERS.

As this issue is going to print, a large portion of Australia is on fire. And I, like many people, feel as though it’s almost a crime to talk about anything else – especially when so many of our own readers’ mental and physical health are suffering.

Houses, possessions and memories are being reduced to piles of black ash. Soot-tinged koalas are just beginning to crawl their way down a painful road of rehabilitation. Crops, farms and livestock – a lifetime of work – are being engulfed in flames. Lives and livelihoods are being lost. It’s brought with it a lot of tears and feelings of helplessness, but also, perhaps, perspective. And, hopefully, change.

I for one have never been so proud to be an Australian. I have watched as so many people, organisations, influencers and celebrities have banded together to help where and how they can – be it through monetary donations, offering of their time, skills or knowledge to those in need, using their spending power to help stimulate the economy of impacted areas or their simple heartfelt empathy.

I wept as I watched and read stories that I will remember for the rest of my life. Cyclists letting thirsty koalas drink from their own water bottles and grandmothers knitting pouches for motherless baby joeys; a firie trying to lighten the mood of his weary camp with a dance rendition to the song Two Step; inner-city Sydney-siders’ wolf whistles piercing the night sky when it finally rained, cheering it on. We have a long road ahead of us as a nation – once the winter rain comes and the fires are finally out, that’s when the hard work to rebuild really begins. When that time comes, we must remember those impacted communities just as fiercely, and give our time, money and support just as generously.

From the entire team here at STRONG Australia, we would like to thank our hard-working fire and emergency services – both career and volunteer – for all the risks they have taken and the hardwork they have put in to help their fellow countrymen and women. They are heroes, in the true sense of the word.

And we send our thoughts and prayers to all of our readers and their families who may be feeling pain and loss right now. I hope flicking through our magazine offers you just a little respite from your current realities. And I hope you know you are not alone – there’s a whole country behind you, including us.

Stay strong,

Katelyn

Katelyn Swallow EDITOR-IN-CHIEF @deadlift.to.deadline

Ways you can help

Here are just some of the Instagram accounts you can visit for more information on how to donate and help those in need: @redcrossau @salvosau @wireswildliferescue @spendwiththem @nswrfs

You can also visit these websites: vic.gov.au/bushfireappeal cfsfoundation.org.au cfa.vic.gov.au

If you’re experiencing a hard time, need someone to talk to or are in crisis, there is always help available through these national 24/7 support lines: Lifeline: 13 11 14 Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467

PHOTO CREDIT: JESSICA APAP