Kristy asked me what I thought of the Elitesportz programs. Can I be a little biased here and say that they have changed my life?
I began my journey in 2004 with a 12 week challenge. I won’t mention the business I did it through as I don’t want anything I write here to reflect badly on it and some people might read what I am about to say in a negative light. I don’t view my 12-week challenge in a negative light… far from it. It helped me to see what I was capable of achieving and set me on this pathway to figure competing. I don’t regret doing it for a second.
But at the end of the challenge I wanted to compete in figure… take the next step and step it up a notch. In wanting to take it that step further, I needed to have someone in charge of my fitness who I aspired to be, rather than someone I could relate to. Does that make sense? I didn’t want to have someone who faced the same struggles as I did so it made me feel better about myself and my own perceived limitations. I didn’t want to have the excuse of any mistakes I made were OK because they were also making the same ones. That would have meant I was continuing to do the same thing over and over again and not learning anything at all. When I first started out, someone I could relate to was what I needed at the time, but as time went on my needs changed.
I wanted to develop more and needed someone who lived the clean and healthy lifestyle I so desperately wanted to live day in and day out. Someone who had no issues or struggles with food, dieting and training, and someone who had the “give it everything it takes, no excuses” mental outlook so that I could learn off them. I needed to be pushed, guided and taught. I am by no means there yet, but I have come a long way. As Joyce Meyers says “I may not be where I want to be, but thank God I am no longer where I used to be.”
I found that person in Andrew Ivey. Instead of “That’s great you’ve achieved everything, now you can rest,” he is more of the “That’s a great achievement, now time to improve and be better next time.” Instead of “That’s OK you splurged on your diet because you’re only human,” it is more like “We are only human, but you need to try harder. Cheating on your diet won’t help you achieve your dreams.” He pushes me harder than I ever thought I could go and gives me the tools to do so. My mindset now is so much stronger and totally different to when I first started with him. If you want a soft approach, he is not the person for you. He will call it as he sees it, and you can always count on getting the truth from him, even if it can be brutal at times. I for one however appreciate his sarcasm and the things he says and does that nurtures my drive and focus… LOL!!
He is as keen for me to achieve what I want to achieve as I am. As he always says, “Aside from me, nobody else really cares if you achieve your sporting dreams, so why keep trying to please them?” He is right. If someone talks me into eating off-plan it ain’t gonna end up on their thighs and butt… it will end up on mine!! If they talk me into skipping out of a training session, it’s not them onstage regretting that wasted opportunity to present in a better condition. They are not the ones standing there about to go on wondering if they have done all they can do to be the best that they can be… THAT PERSON IS ME!!
A couple of people have also asked for progress shots to see how I have developed over the years, so here are those…
At the end of the 12-week challenge October 2004
My first Nationals comp October 2005
All Female Comp 2006
Nationals Comp 2007
My last comp July 2008
I have never taken an extended break from training, only a short break from cardio and diet which in hindsight has not always been the best thing. Again I can chalk this up to a lesson learned. This is part of the reason my muscle has increased in density. This shows that you can totally change your body shape and physique through hard work and consistency… consistency in training being one of the most important things.
In signing off, I want to leave everyone with this thought… The fact of the matter is that excuses and reasons as to why you can’t do something is exactly what got you into the shape you are trying to change. Looking for an excuse or reason is not the answer… developing and nurturing your mental strength is.
This is one of the greatest gifts that my Coach has given to me… developing my mental muscle. Just this morning he sat down with me as I had my breakfast after training and I got so much out of just a chat. I left the gym feeling really fired up and ready for the next stage… he has a way of doing that to me!!
Kristy’s question and Coach’s talk this morning is what kicked off this post. If only I can impart some of the teaching he has given me over the past nearly 5 years, then it will be invaluable to anyone wanting to change their life and physique. I won’t ever be able to give you exactly what he has given me, nor teach you everything that he has taught me. Only he can do that. All I can do is impart some of the gems that come out of his mouth and some of the wisdom he has shared with me from time to time on my blog and hope it can inspire others the way he has inspired me.
Have a great day everyone… train hard and eat well!!
Love Rae xxx
“If the coach cannot do it,
he cannot ‘teach’ it —
only talk about it.”
~Percy Cerutty
22 Users Responded In This Article
Thank you Rae, this post is fantastic, but now I need to work out what I want and how hard I am willing to work.
Do you think I can do it alone or do I need a hand? How long would I need to commit to?
I am really confused what to do, what is best for me, I am trying to work out what and how I can make training and good eating a part of my life. As you said consistent training is the key. Do I do another 12 week program or just a nutrition program?
I’m not sure…, but thankyou Rae your post is helpful and you have come so far and look hot in your photos!
I love seeing progress pics. Thanks Rae – awesome work!
WOW – that was a great read. Thanks Rae.
Love all your pics too. You look amazing.
Rae, you have always been a beacon of light and hope for me. I thank you for being a guide in helping me out on the road of ‘betterness’. I aspire to always make improvments with myself; not to be in contest with anyone else but me.
It was a great post Rae. Speak soon darl Trudsx
You’re most welcome Frankie, and it’s comments like yours that keep me blogging and imparting words of wisdom from my coach!!
First things first Kristy. You need to work out what it is you want… without knowing that there is no way the other questions can be answered. So search your heart and let me know what it is that you want. If there was a genie standing in front of you and he said “I will grant you one wish with regards to your health and fitness,” what would your wish be? Don’t worry about how foolish it may sound, nothing is foolish if it is truly what you want. Then when you come up with that answer, leave me a comment (or an email) and I will try and answer the other questions for you.
I love progress pics too Charlotte… am aiming for an improvement on the next lot.
You are most welcome Shelly and I am glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for your lovely compliment on my progress 
If I can give back to some people something of what others have given to me, then I am only too happy Trudi. Your aspirations are exactly what life is all about.
Have a great night everyone xxx
What I want Rae is to lose 10 kg’s (under 65 kg’s) and maintain and cut out the emotional eating
btw can I add one last thing, I want to look like I am a run or cycle. I want to look fit!
SMOKIN’ HOT BABE!
I’m glad that everything you have done has worked for you. You are one of lifes true shining lights.
Take care and best wishes.
.
Matt
Thanks very much for writing this post Rae- you’ve spoken to and inspired many people!
The main thing I am taking away from reading it is to treat myself well and have high expectations of myself- no one else is going to do the work for me! Thanks.
Oh and how sexy are girls with muscles? woo hoo!!!
Great post. I needed to read this one today. Love seeing where you were and how you got to where you are today. One thing you mention that I also agree with — these comments that are meant to be supportive but just really continue the enabling lifecycle. You know “It’s okay you slipped on your diet, you’re only human.”
While it’s “kind” – it does nothing toward helping push you to get better and meet your goals. I should know – I am the Queen of Excuses.
Wow Rae, you can see how much muscle you have gained over the years. What hard and consistent work you have done, you look great. Seems you have always been a good poser too.
Oh Rae, I have lost so much muscle since having my baby. I intend to work for it after a few months after baby #2 arrives. Thanks for the inspiration.
I enjoy reading honest posts, thanks Rae.
The photos are great, well done!!
Totally agree with your thoughts, sometimes though, for me being on a DIET 24/7 is not the healthiest approach, however when you have a goal of competition, then a try harder and pull your finger out approach is definitely warranted. This is the kind of relationship between competitor and coach that is priceless. I am so glad you have Andrew, he sounds brilliant! He must be, each of your shots just keeps getting better every year! Congrats Rae, you really are an amazing chickadee!
Lindy xx
Thankyou so much for this post Rae. A little lightbulb just appeared over my head
I’d love to find a coach like yours locally. I know this is what I need in my life right now!
Rae, just wanted to say, WOW, those before and after shots are truly amazing. They show you CAN reach your goals with hard work, determination and dedication. A coach who is also your biggest supporter doesn’t hurt either! You are a real inspiration, thanks!
Nicky
Well then Kristy, what I would suggest is to first buy the “Individual Fitness Consultation” and have a chat to Coach. From that consultation he will be able to get a feel for where you are at with regards to what you are currently doing and your headspace when it comes to nutrition. I would suggest signing up for the bronze program as the minimum term is 3 months, which is 12 weeks anyway. He does offer the 12-week service, mainly because people have asked for it. He prefers ongoing as he doens’t believe 12 weeks is the be-all-and-end-all. He believes that at the end of one 12 week block you should be reassessing your goals for the next achievement. If you find the program doesn’t suit you after this time you can always cancel it. Your first wish is definitely achievable, I have seen nearly all of his clients achieve this. The emotional eating takes a a bit longer to get around, but that can also be done… especially with his coaching. He can most certainly help you with writing a program with a view to you completing a triathlon down the track and has quite a few triathletes as clients. Your third wish will be a lovely by-product of your first 2 wishes. So my advice is to contact him via his website and have a chat to him.
Thank you Matt. What may work for me with a Coach may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I certainly found a good fit with him.
You are most welcome Steph and I am so glad that you got what you did out of this post. And hell yeah… nothing sexier than a girl with muscles!!
There is only so much “enabling” one can do Jacey. I’ve been very soft with some people in the past and all it has done is given them a reason to keep repeating the same mistakes over and over. I always thought gentle kindness would help them overcome their own stumbling blocks, but it’s just like Dr Phil says… nobody keeps repeating a behaviour, even one detrimental to themselves, if they don’t get a payoff of some kind out of it. Some people seem to thrive in a victim role and putting themselves down because of the attention they get from it, especially if everyone clamours about disagreeing with them. Unfortunately for them, their friends get really exhausted from constantly trying to lift their spirits and encourage them along when they don’t help themselves. I have found this especially true since going through the grief over the loss of my Mum, and I have no doubt you have been through the same thing. There are some days I barely have enough energy to get myself through the day let alone someone else. However I do count myself very blessed that most of my friends are sensitive of this and don’t place any unnecessary demands on me during those times.
LOL… you are right about the posing Susan… when the guys I work with first heard I was attending “posing practise” with my coach in the leadup to my first comp their reaction was “WHAT??? You of all people actually need to learn how to pose??? You will get your beautiful muscle back Susan. Muscle memory is a wonderful thing!!
I’m glad you enjoyed it Java. I really enjoyed writing it as you can probably tell… I got a little carried away… LOL!!
He most certainly is priceless Lindy. He’s always pretty much said to us that we don’t need to ever go without treats, but he has worked hard drumming it into us that eating clean most of the time isn’t a diet, but a lifestyle. He wouldn’t DARE try and take my dark chocolate and red wine off me for the rest of my life… that is part of my lifestyle… LOL!!
You certainly can Nicky. Anything is possible if you have the drive and focus toward a goal. I am so glad you were inspired.
Have an awesome night everyone,
Love Rae xxx
Thank you Rae, I am definitely going to consider Andrew’s program.
Love this quote Rae. 
) xxx
Rae, the photos are incredible. I am always so blown away by how much you’ve achieved and how committed you are, both to your sport and to inspiring others.
Thank you so much Phil for your lovely comment. I hope you are well? It was great to get a comment from you xxx
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Thanks Rae, I needed to hear this post. I feel the same right now..partly why I ended up at Lindy’s forum and don’t spend so much time on the other forum I was on. Still love my bloggy girls from there but needed more.