By RUSSELL BENNETT
A 20-year-old barista and a 40-year-old mother of two by day … body sculptors by night.
Pakenham Voyage Fitness members Lauren Johnson and Anita Hynes are furiously training for the Natural Mania Fitness and Bodybuilding Championships in Bundoora on 25 May.
Both are trained by Voyage personal trainer Bec McSweeny, who later this year will run in Melbourne’s Tan Ultra marathon, so they’re not exactly short of motivation.
But Johnson, also a law student, said the sport was an individual one – where the desire to succeed must come from within.
While she’s not sure how far she’ll take her fitness modelling, one thing is for sure – Johnson’s rigorous physical training and competitive mindset can only serve her well in whatever she turns her mind to next.
The Berwick resident only decided to compete around 12 weeks ago but has noticed a rapid change in her body due to her recent training.
Johnson will be up against an experienced field in the Fitness Model category but – while she’s not sure how she’ll fare in next month’s competition – she loves having a completely different aspect to her life.
“I’m not a personal trainer and I think if I was I wouldn’t be doing the competition but because I’m a barista and I’m studying law, I really like it,” she said.
Hynes, who qualified as a personal trainer about a year ago, said competing in the Masters Figure Model and Novice categories was something she could call her own.
The Pakenham mother of a 14-year-old and a 10-year-old also works at Pakenham Aged Care.
She has always had a keen interest in fitness, although she said: “I haven’t always been fit.
“I’ve had my ups and downs over the years but it came to the point where I really wanted to do something for myself.”
After conquering Melbourne’s Tough Mudder, she decided it was time for a new physical challenge – the Australian Natural Bodybuilding (ANB) competition.
“I really enjoy the weight training side of working out and I thought what better goal to have than to do a fitness competition,” she said.
“I was always goal-oriented but never had the confidence to go and achieve those goals.
“I don’t know whether it’s turning 40 – just getting older and more life-wise, or setting an example to my own kids that I found so important but there’s more to this (competition) than the tan and looking good in a bikini.”
For more about the ANB competition, call Bec on 0415 271 735 or stop by Voyage Fitness – Lot 2 Doherty Street, Pakenham.
