MY JOURNEY TO WELLNESS

I’ve always been active. I started dancing at the age of five, and have spent much of my time playing sports or being outdoors ever since.

My father was the chef of the house and loved making food from scratch using wholesome ingredients, so I learned the importance of healthy eating from a young age. I went through high school being very focused on academics, and playing hockey as my main sport. After school, I knew that I wanted to keep active, so I signed up to my local gym.

I had no previous experience with gyms, so I spent a lot of time watching YouTube videos to learn how to use all the equipment. It was during this time that I discovered Natacha Océane’s YouTube channel. Natacha studied biophysics and now translates scientific research on

the human body into video content for her YouTube subscribers. Being a big science nerd myself (I’d just started my Mechanical Engineering degree), I was very inspired by her knowledge and outlook on fitness.

I quickly realised that the way I was going about being fit and ‘healthy’ (eating less and exercising more) wasn’t actually that good for me. I didn’t understand why I was ‘doing everything right’ yet feeling weaker and more tired than ever before. Towards the end of my first year of studying, I decided to really focus on myself. I wanted to become stronger and - most importantly - I wanted to feel confident from the inside out.

I learned how to support my goals through nutrition and working out. I ventured into the male-dominated weights section of the gym and started to eat in a way that supported my lifestyle. I immediately felt more energised, had more stamina at gym, and stayed fuller for longer. I’d never had an unhealthy relationship with food, but this change in my life transformed the relationship I did have with food into a friendship. I still eat all my favourite foods, but I know that wholefoods help me perform my best, so those make up most of my diet.

I’ll never forget the day I realised that these changes were working. We were doing a physics practical at uni about levers, and it required us to hold weights to check the torque production of our biceps. I remember picking up the same weight as the men in my class and feeling so immensely proud of myself. Being in a male-dominated field and then meeting them where they were physically was an instant ‘woman power’ moment for me. Going to the gym is now an ingrained part of my routine. I have gained insane amounts of confidence, along with physical and mental strength. I’ve never been as muscular as I am now, but I have also never felt as comfortable and feminine.

I eventually realised that I wanted to pursue a career in health and fitness, so I enrolled in a nutrition diploma and personal training course. I also began to share my journey on Instagram. I know what a powerful tool fitness can be, and want other women to know that the number on the scale cannot measure their health and happiness. You do not need hours in a gym or extreme diets, and exercise should never be a chore. You need to find a style of movement that you enjoy and look forward to.

My hope is that by sharing my wellness journey, I can encourage others to start their own. Whether they choose to train at home, outdoors or in a gym, I want to encourage people to begin to move their bodies and uncover their inner power.

Follow my journey at @embodii on Instagram, @embodii_ on TikTok and Embodii on YouTube.