Litiana Inspiring Women
Litiana Miller needs no introduction. The former national track queen, now a professional fitness trainer, is truly an inspiration for women athletes.
She continued to pursue her dreams after a successful sporting career.
The Natua, Seaqaqa native is the wife of the former national athletics rep and coach Albert Miller.
The proud mother of three sons, set a new record in the 100 metres (11.92 secs) during the 1999 Pacific Games in Guam which stood for eight years.
Miller shares her work, life experiences, achievements and challenges.
1. Overview of what you do in your work
I’m a fitness instructor and have been since 2000. As a fitness instructor, we help and guide people to exercise.
I set training programmes and sometimes give out sample meal plans to help those that want to keep themselves fit and healthy. I also hold mass fitness classes like zumba and boot camp.
2. What would you say most motivates you to do what you do? What are your most excited or passionate about? What are the goals you most want to accomplish in your work?
3.As a former track athlete since primary school and then representing Fiji in high school right through until after I had my third and last child, my parents have been my source of motivation. W
When I reached high school is when I met my husband who was my coach. He basically continued the trend that my parents started. So basically as I developed from being a child to becoming an adult, the one and only thing I knew was to play sports and I’ve never regretted it because it made me who I am today. It seemed like my future was already set from birth.
My goal is to continue to influence and motivate people into living a healthy life. To love and be proud of whom they are.
4. What motivated you to become a fitness trainer?
Playing sports and staying in shape especially through having children has motivated me to become a fitness instructor and I just can’t see myself sitting behind a desk eight hours a day
5. Where did you grow up, countries visited
I grew up in Bagasau, Toorak. Attended Annesley Infant School, Dudley High School.
I have never been to any country for work other than to compete and I’ve been as far as Spain competing for Fiji in athletics.
6. Key mentors or people who deeply influenced who you are, what you believe in and what you’re committed to in your work and life
My parents and my husband are my mentors and have been very influential in my life.
7. Did you have any life-changing experiences and challenges that put you on the path that led you to be doing what you’re doing today?
My life experience that led me into becoming a fitness instructor is basically through playing sports and finding out that it’s a passion that I could turn into a job.
8. As an active woman involved in sports, how do you see or analyse the role of women
in sports in Fiji and how important is it to encourage more women taking up roles in various sporting federations?
I hope that women will recognise my work and achievements and become motivated into taking up fitness or roles in sports because I believe that women being in this industry will add more value to the industry and also to the community.
9. When you think of the future of the kind of work you’ve talked about here, what gives you a sense of hope?
I’m hopeful that more women will involve themselves into fitness not only as participants but also as leaders even though it is a male dominant industry.
10. What’s next for you in your work? What are you looking forward to? Advice to the young women out there.
I look forward to continuing and to better the work that I do.
My advice to young women is to be proud of who you are and be influential in what you’re passionate about. Don’t let anyone dictate what you believe in.