Meet Jess, Our Spring Into Action Challenge Winner!
Since joining 23W in November 2023, Jess has transformed her fitness journey, overcoming the chaos of post-lockdown life and the demands of motherhood to reclaim her health and confidence.
Starting with no specific goals other than attending three classes a week, Jess has progressed to losing 6.5% body fat and now boasts an impressive 85kg deadlift! More importantly, she’s gained the confidence to tackle challenges and prioritize her well-being, demonstrating the power of persistence and community support.
Jess’s journey reminds us that it’s never too late to start, and sometimes, the biggest challenge is showing up. Her story is a testament to running your own race and the incredible support system here at 23W, where we focus on women’s health and empowerment at every stage.
How long have you been working with 23W?
Since November 2023.
What got you started on this journey?
I was fairly fit and active in my 20s. After 2 kids and COVID lockdowns, I got out of the habit of exercising and taking care of myself. I didn’t look like me or feel like me anymore. I liked group classes and was looking for a women’s gym. Several friends recommended 23W!
What was your biggest challenge at the start?
My biggest challenge was just turning up. Both my kids have issues with sleeping, I was struggling to juggle work and home life, my body didn’t do what it used to… everything felt pretty chaotic at the start. It took me 2 years to even get back to the gym after my second kid.
What was your initial goal?
I had no real goals at first, except to get to 3 classes a week. I didn’t always make it, but I kept going! After a while, I got interested in challenging myself with heavier weights. Seeing so many other women doing amazing things was pretty inspiring and I started to wonder if I could get there myself.
What result did you achieve?
I lost 6.5% body fat during the Spring into Action challenge! But really, I got the confidence to make lasting changes to my health and fitness – especially my mindset. And I can now deadlift 85kg.
How have you changed?
Being consistent with exercise has had a massive impact on my self-esteem and confidence. I feel like I can do hard things. I look like myself again. I am making space in my life for what makes me happy. I am not asking for permission.
What was your biggest challenge going through the process?
Doing the Spring Challenge really forced me to prioritise myself, something that I have traditionally been very bad at (and which only got worse after kids). It was hard to get to those 6am classes, bring my lunch to work, make healthy choices during the party season. But it has been worth it.
What were your biggest learnings?
I’ve learnt so much from the awesome coaches, tracking my progress and some Reddit deep dives. The most important thing is to run your own race – focus on what you really want to achieve and don’t compare yourself to others. Everyone is on their own path. Doing the challenge was really intimidating at first – everyone seemed fitter than me! But I stuck to my plan and I’m very happy with my results.
How would you describe your journey?
Probably a pretty bumpy one! My progress has not been linear, but it is still progress. Consistency is really hard for me, so keeping myself accountable has been key.
What was it like working with the 23W and the other girls in the community?
I really love the coaches at 23W – the team is friendly, down-to-earth and encourages you to challenge yourself. There is also a very clear focus on women’s health, which is so important for those of us in our 40s and above. The nanny support is fantastic.
I really enjoy the group atmosphere as everyone is so welcoming and I feel comfortable asking other members how to do something or what’s next if I’m not sure.
What’s next for you?
Now I’m building on my results to help ensure my long-term health as my hormones start working against me!
