Stef Hanson Personal Training - Client Testimonials

INSPIRATIONAL CLIENTS

I am regularly motivated by the courage and determination of people around me and my clients are a constant source of inspiration.

My longest -standing client of 4.5 years, 64 year old Julia Connell showed enormous strength and selflessness by donating a kidney to her twin brother Rupert Wilson in 2006. A decision, as I’m sure you can all appreciate, not made lightly. The testing process took almost five years, and finally on October 26, 2006 Jules and Rupert both underwent (painful) keyhole surgery. Six days later Jules was back at home enquiring with (pestering) the doctors as to when she could get back to exercising. She began by walking to the end of her street and back, two days later it was around the block, within three weeks she was back to walking five kilometers and on December 3rd, she walked the Sussan Women’s Fun Run of five kilometers Check out the fun run information

The years of testing that Jules endured was to ensure that she was fit and healthy enough to undergo the surgery, but also recover fully from the operation and survive just as well on one kidney. Her physicians were very skeptical about her decision for several reasons. Their main concern was the level of health of a 63 year old. Enter “Jules The Mad Exercise Woman”.

Let me take a step back for a second. When Jules first came to see me her main goal was to lose weight. Jules is a manager at Brumby’s Bakery, and so as you can imagine, has all sorts of goodies right at her fingertips. Goodies you could say, that had taken the better of her for several years. Additionally, Jules is one of those caring people who put everyone else’s needs before her own. So working overtime, babysitting, covering shifts, looking after her family etc all took precedent over her health. Exercise and even more importantly, diet were going to play leading roles in her pursuit of weight loss. It didn’t take too long for Jules to get stuck into a regular exercising routine. Not only that, she managed to wean herself of those baked treats at work. We began with two sessions per week, plus regular walks for the rest of the week. Soon Jules wanted more challenges. She now does a bit of running, cycling and cross training at home, and boxing became a personal favourite of hers (look out for her right uppercut!)

When Jules told me she wanted to donate her kidney to her brother, Rupert, I was amazed. Again, not thinking about herself, just wanting to do whatever she could to help him. We focused a lot harder on her general health and well being to prove to her physicians that she could go through with the operation and come out on the other side fine. Over the weeks of training Jules lost weight, gained muscle, improved her bone density and lowered her cholesterol and blood pressure. Jules also refused to take blood pressure medication as she was determined to get to a healthy range on her own, “I’m so glad I refused the tablets! HA! Proved them wrong!”

So how is Jules doing 18months down the track? Apart from being one of the popular, regular faces at the studio (especially popular with the trainers at Easter time when she brings us all hot cross buns from the bakery – but that’s just a secret between you and I), Jules is still managing Brumby’s, is a proud Grandmother of eight, a die hard St Kilda fan and mad footy tipper (and winner), and she is still a consistent exerciser. How many people do you know who go on holiday and LOSE weight, not gain weight? This morning was the first time I had seen Jules since she had spent almost four weeks in Brunei, Malaysia with her Son and his family. I had written a program for her to do while she was away, and she stuck to it (and then some). She text me last Friday wanting to come to the gym this morning (Wednesday) to get stuck back into her training. She flew in LAST NIGHT!!! I walked into the studio to find her slugging away on the stationery bike looking tanned, fabulous, and four kilograms lighter!

Jules you are an absolute inspiration, and one of the loveliest people I know! Glad you had a fantastic holiday, and lets hope for your sake that the Sainters get up there this year (go Bombers!) xxx
View Herald Sun article.

I have been training with Stef for approximately 18 months and can genuinely say it is one of the best decisions I have made in my life! I still find making such a statement surprising, particularly when I consider my initial mindset—I openly loathed most forms of exercise. But how things have changed…

On a physical level I love seeing my body do the things a fitter body should. I marvel at seeing muscles where there was previously wobble and get a thrill from lifting a heavier weight or performing day to day activities with ease (I recently purchased a new tv and was wrapped I could easily carry it by myself, in one go, up a set of stairs and into my flat!).

On a mental note, I created so many barriers that stopped me starting, let alone leading a healthy and active life. However as I have progressed with Stef I have broken these down, taken responsibility for myself and embraced fitness as an integral and enjoyable part of my life. As a result, the journey has been, and continues to be, an incredibly empowering experience that carries an over-riding sense of achievement that ‘I did this!!!’

And whilst much of what I have written has been about myself rather than Stef, I couldn’t have achieved what I have without her. I don’t believe all trainers are created equal and it is her strengths (such as her compassion, commitment and motivation) that have enabled me to fall in love with training. Every time I turn up for a session she is there with a big smile and amazingly positive attitude. She will always push me that little bit further and I will give that little bit more as I know she is genuinely supporting me, therefore I must be able to do it and I want to do it.

But at the end of the day what makes Stef stand out for me is she takes training very seriously, however she doesn’t take herself too seriously. I know I will have to work hard however I also know I will have a great laugh at each session and benefit from her wicked sense of humour!

Shari
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Her nutritional guidance and exercise programme/advise has been completely professional, exciting and rewarding. Stef combines understanding, flexibility and a personal approach to offer a complete service that I am more than happy to recommend.

As hard as it is to jump out of bed at 5.30am - just knowing her warm smile and encouraging words will be waiting for me at the gym make it all worthwhile!

Tiffany Knowles
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As a person with Multiple Sclerosis it was hard to find a trainer who could balance an understanding of the disease and the knowledge of how much to push me. I have been seeing Stef for a year and feel she is respectful of my abilities and is flexible in her response to my needs. Stef always has a smile and can always manage to make me laugh. Couldn't recommend her highly enough.

Nic Telfer
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My wife and I came to Stef in order to get in shape before our wedding. We had goals that we wanted to achieve and with the expert help of Stef we were able to achieve our goals. In fact we still go twice a week have been trained by Stef twice a week for almost 2 years.

Mick & Silv
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I began training with Stef over a year ago. I would recommend her to anyone considering personal training – she's a great person to work with – positive, outgoing, loads of fun. She keeps the training interesting and has been great with helping me to set goals and achieve them. She's genuinely interested and involved in her clients' training and I can’t recommend her highly enough!!

Kath Pelletti
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I can now walk 1.5 km without a break - it takes me a little while and it might not seem much to others but for someone with Multiple Sclerosis this is a wonderful achievement. That such a seemingly simple program can achieve such results is amazing. Thank you, Stef for your encouragement, patience and willingness to modify exercises to suit my fluctuating abilities.

Gael Cresp
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Thank you so much for all of your help in getting me in good shape for my wedding day. Your motivation and support during this time was outstanding! I received many compliments on the day on how good I looked. Thanks again for being such a fantastic trainer and making the session’s good fun too!!

Love Nina (Thomas)
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I am 50 years of age and prior to seeing Stef I had a medial condition that left me with partial damage to one of my lungs. This along with 30 years of smoking made the idea of any type of physical exertion out of the question. I gave up smoking, lost some weight and decided to go one step further and get involved in a fitness program. I chose Stef because she was close to my place of employment and several other work mates were attending. I could see the results they were achieving and was impressed.

The improvement in my health, weight and fitness levels since seeing Stef was nothing short of amazing. I look better and feel better. Now a 10km walk is a twice weekly event. The major fact contributing to this turn around is having a Personal Trainer of the caliber of Stef Hanson. Her energy, friendly manner, encouragement and humour are a deciding factor in my continuing custom.

Stef varies the program for each session assuring that it’s never boring and that the activities are geared toward what the client wants to achieve. At the same time she ensures that she never pushes you past what you can do. Stef tailors her sessions for her clients.

Thanks Stef. You’re the best.

Colleen Williamson
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Since December 2006, I have been training twice a week with Stef. Although I was fit from triathlon and cross country racing, I recognised I had lost a lot of strength from years of little weight bearing exercise.

With the help of Stef’s expertise, fantastic exercises and encouragement, I have rapidly gained strength from my core through to the larger muscle groups. I am visibly more toned and my other sports training such as running, riding and swimming have benefited greatly from my improved strength.

Stef is fun, professional, motivating, knowledgeable and a stickler for correct form. Every session is unique and challenging, however always enjoyable. The gym is very clean and well maintained, with up-to-date equipment.

I would recommend Stef to anyone who wants to achieve results while having a good time in a comfortable environment.

Kathryn Farr
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