MEET AUSTRALIA’S STRONG WOMEN
AFTER SOME CHALLENGING EXPERIENCES, THESE DAUGHTERS, MOTHERS AND WIVES SHARE HOW ONE SPORT IS HELPING THEM REBUILD THEMSELVES INSIDE AND OUT
It’s not exactly a secret that women are sometimes a little hesitant to enter the gym. Between the grunting, the groaning, the flexing and the flaunting, it’s no wonder the weight room, in particular, can often feel like a forbidden zone for females. But for these four women, and many others who have taken up the sport of Strongman, the gym is where they feel most at ease – and they’re determined to break down the stigma and encourage others to give it a try. After all, why should men have all the fun?!
In ABC iview’s new documentary series Strong Women, female athletes Kerryn Taylor, Mariko Whyte, Alira Verity and Leigh Holland-Keen let viewers into their gyms, their competitions, and their lives. It’s there we find out that not only have these women smashed incredible physical barriers, but also overcome mental and emotional ones.
Taylor was first introduced to the sport through her personal trainer, who saw potential in the 33-year-old’s physical ability. “I knew that I had been through some mentally challenging times and that I had to be resilient at times, but I had never really considered my physical capabilities,” she tells WHO. “I was already enjoying lifting weights ... so being told there was a way to further explore my physical strength was really cool!”
A recovering drug and alcohol addict, Taylor has found solace and support through her training. “When I was younger, I was more drawn to unhealthy coping mechanisms like alcohol and drugs to deal with the hard times in my life,” she explains. “When I started lifting and competing, I found that I used that as my coping mechanism when challenges arose … it gave me time to focus on something other than what was going on.”
It was a similar feeling for fellow Strongwoman Verity, 35, who used strength training to build her self-confidence after dealing with domestic abuse from a former partner. “I’ve been in some pretty scary, life-threatening moments in my life. So when I’m training or competing and I feel strong, I know how I can defend myself and I feel confident in my abilities,” she shares.
While many are quick to assume the sport is similar to bodybuilding, Strongwomen aren’t focused on what their bodies look like or a number on a scale – they care about what their bodies can achieve. Lifting cement balls, tossing tyres and running with heavy equipment across the gym floor, training for the sport requires not just incredible strength but also speed, balance and stamina.
The difference between the two sports is massive for Whyte, who developed bulimia as a competitive bodybuilder. It’s only when the 29-year-old discovered the Strongman community that she was able to continue her love of strength training, but with the added bonus of self-empowerment. Similarly, Verity admits it’s alsotransformed the way she looks at her body. “I went from wanting to be skinny to now loving how healthy and strong my body is,” she says.
With the sport becoming increasingly popular in Australia, all four athletes hope to spread the word about the healing power of sport for women’s mental and physical health by sharing their inspiring stories. “To see a women challenge herself, grow, step into her uniqueness, find her selfconfidence and start choosing herself is one of the most empowering things in the world,” Taylor adds.
“I feel confident in my abilities” VERITY