Hi my name is Stephanie Annand and I am a mobile personal trainer with Fitness Inside Out in Newcastle.

I completed my cert III & IV in Fitness back in 2009 when I was in my mid 20's. Exercise had always been a way for me to manage my mental health, it isn't often you'll finish a workout - be it a walk, a Crossfit sesh or anywhere in between - and not feel those immediate endorphins! So, I wanted to share that experience with people who maybe struggled to feel comfortable in mainstream gyms or felt anxious about exercising as they weren't sure how to start. 

The positive effects of exercise on mental health are my driving force to be in this industry. I have seen firsthand the shift in so many beautiful humans when exercise becomes about loving and looking after themselves as opposed to punishing or changing their bodies.  

It's awesome to see clients mastering a movement they were unable to do or ever thought they would be able to do at the start of their training, and it's even more fantastic to witness clients whose journey into movement takes them through the healing of previous injuries, chronic pain and/or Trauma. This can be life changing for many and one that can take much perseverance and patience, so I'm always honoured to bear witness to this experience and proud to be a part of their journey. 

My journey in this industry hasn't stopped since getting my Fitness certificates in 2009!! - I had 2 wild and wonderful kids in 2013 & 14 and following that found adjusting to my new sense of body and self I was drawn to studying my Pilates Matwork Instructor certifications - Pilates Anatomy,Beginner, Intermediate & Advanced Matwork Pilates, as well as Pre & Post Natal and Pilates small equipment including Ball and Bands.  

I started volunteering with an amazing group called MEGA - Mums Exercise Groups Australia - which led me to meeting so many beautiful Mummas and opened the door to working in some varied small personal gyms around Newcastle teaching group classes, bootcamp style and Pilates, as well as personal training before feeling brave enough to start my own home gym training clients and group classes - and then Covid happened!!  

I have conducted numerous personal training sessions at netball courts, parks, and various other locations. My experience includes teaching swimming classes to children, guiding women through their first Sprint Triathlon, and training in Crossfit, Fusion Pilates & Yoga, and Pole Dancing. Additionally, I have led strength sessions specifically tailored for Pole, Silks & Lyra, as well as circus pre- and post-rehabilitation. One of my most preferred areas of focus is running. 

In the years after having my babies, I shifted to Women-specific Strength Coaching and Menopause-specific Coaching. I also earned certifications in Trauma Informed Weight Lifting and Trauma and Somatics foundations to better train my clients.  

I started a fundraiser, RUN4LOZ, raising money for Bowel cancer Australia after the devastating loss of one of my best friends aged just 39. I processed a large amount of grief and past trauma through taking on the massive challenge of Ultra running, deciding to go from someone who only ever ran 5km to attempting to run 170km nonstop for charity. I made it 156km, yes! Soooo close ! And the experience gave me so much knowledge on strength training for running, running programs and such an appreciation for the mental and emotional side of striving to achieve something you never dreamed possible while processing grief and loss.