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Tori SmithAustralian personal trainer
Country:
 Australia |
Content:
- Battling Weight Gain, Finding Yoga and a Twist of Fate
- A Mirror Moment and a Vow to Change
- Embracing Exercise, Overcoming Fear
- Gradual Progress, Setbacks and Support
- Discovering a Passion for Personal Training
- Holistic Approach: Mind, Body, and Nutrition
- Today: Thriving as a Personal Trainer and Role Model
Rise from Candy-Lover to Personal Trainer: Tori Smith's Transformation Journey
Tori Smith, a 24-year-old Australian personal trainer, once indulged in a nightly pack of gummy bears. However, a serendipitous gym class led her on an incredible journey of self-discovery and weight loss, resulting in a 20-kg transformation.
Battling Weight Gain, Finding Yoga and a Twist of Fate
Tori's weight issues emerged at 18 when she stopped participating in team sports that had kept her active during childhood. "I continued eating as if I was training hard," she recalled. "Over a couple of years, I had gained the weight."
Living in Melbourne, Tori developed an "atrocious" relationship with food, binging on pasta, baked potatoes, and chips. "I'd get my housemate to get me a packet of gummy bears for when I came home," she explained. "Every second night, I'd just sit on the couch and eat."
Physical activity became scarce, limited to a 200-meter walk to the train station. By age 20, Tori's weight had reached 87.8 kg.
A Mirror Moment and a Vow to Change
One evening, staring at her reflection in the mirror, Tori realized it was time for a change. "I was just so unhappy," she said. "My confidence was terrible. I was too embarrassed to drink or eat out with friends."
"It was coming up to my 21st birthday, and I was like, 'I've had enough of this.' I wanted to feel better, and I wanted to look better."
Embracing Exercise, Overcoming Fear
Waking up early each morning, 24-year-old Tori embarked on a daily running routine around her neighborhood. She had also signed up for yoga but initially avoided the gym's other offerings.
"I didn't do any of the classes because I was so intimidated," the Melbourne native recalled. "I thought I wasn't fit enough."
Fate, however, had a different plan when Tori accidentally stumbled into the wrong class one day. Feeling too embarrassed to leave, she decided to stay.
"I told myself I'd just do what everyone else was doing, and I wouldn't quit," Smith said. "And I actually loved it. I felt amazing."
"There were girls similar to my size, and they were all really encouraging rather than judgmental."
Gradual Progress, Setbacks and Support
The first two weeks in her new class were challenging, but losing the first 5 kg gave Tori an unparalleled sense of accomplishment.
Gradually building her confidence, Tori began envisioning her future transformed self. "There were ups and downs," said the Australian. "You have that excitement when you step on the scales and you've lost 5 kg, but there were definitely times when I would get down on myself."
During those challenging moments, Tori sought support from a personal trainer who helped her shift her mindset.
"He taught me the 'why' behind what I was doing and how it was affecting my body," Smith said. "It took the vanity out of it, and it was more about making decisions out of self-care rather than ego."
Discovering a Passion for Personal Training
Tori's interest in becoming a personal trainer grew as she delved into research at home.
"It was like a snowball effect," Smith said. "The more I read, the more I wanted to learn."
After losing 20 kg, Tori's personal trainer approached her after six months, asking if she would consider following in his footsteps. He offered to mentor her and provide a job upon completion of the certification.
Overjoyed, Tori dedicated herself to the task, completing the six-month correspondence course in just eight weeks.
"I was so excited about the prospect of helping other people feel the way I felt," Smith said. "I would learn three units a night when I got home. It was pretty relentless, but I thrived on it."
Holistic Approach: Mind, Body, and Nutrition
Tori's training program taught her the fundamental truth that movement heals the body, and that loving your body is essential.
"I got into fitness because I hated my body," she admitted. "The reason I hated my body was because I hadn't looked after it."
"I wasn't kind to my body when I first started trying to lose weight. I was so negative. I would give up. I would not focus on the positives, like how I had actually come a long way, and get scared about how far I had to go."
Over four years of her health journey, Tori discovered that a holistic approach was paramount.
"I don't miss going out for drinks with friends, or having birthday cake," Smith affirmed. "Those are not deprivations for me anymore."
Today: Thriving as a Personal Trainer and Role Model
Today, the Australian follows a plant-based diet and uses herbs and spices liberally instead of calorie-laden sauces to flavor her food.
Tori's workouts are as diverse as her nutrition. She takes advantage of ClassPass, enjoying a variety of classes ranging from high-intensity interval training to Pilates and boxing.
Smith currently offers one-on-one personal training sessions and runs two beginner group fitness programs. She also plans to launch an online program worldwide soon.
"I think I'm just your average person, but my clients tell me, 'You're so inspiring,'" Tori remarked.
"You never get sick of doing it, because you know you're making a difference in someone's life."
