After servering her Archilles tendon in a freak accident, Nikki Brown found her way back to fitness with the help of Fernwood Belconnen.
The accident
Two days before Christmas in 2012 I was unpacking the full festive season grocery shop I’d just completed – in sweltering heat – in my garage when a glass bottle exploded and ripped up the side of my leg. I spent Christmas in hospital, and it wasn’t until seven days later they finally realised what was wrong – I’d severed my Achilles tendon. Thankfully the operation to repair it went very smoothly, but then began the recovery.
What was already a very busy time in my life just got busier! I was on the organising committee for the Australian Women’s Golf Open Championships as well as being on the committee to organise the Mother’s Day Classic in Canberra. Not one to be caught sitting quietly to myself, this injury was quite a challenge. I had no independence whatsoever, I was unable to drive and had to learn how to walk all over again. It was thanks to the wonderful support from friends and family that I got around – and I even managed to fulfil my duties on both organising committees!
Going from a very fit, upbeat healthy person to not being able to do much at all for at least six months was a big change. I became very depressed, withdrawn and unhappy. I turned to my old-time favourite comfort foods, chocolate bullets and diet coke, to keep me going. But they also helped me to put on the kilos, in turn making me feel even more down, and all the while I was not able to exercise. I was at the physio twice a week and did go to the pool for rehab, but I wasn’t going to be running a marathon any time soon.
I missed the exercise more than I thought I would. Life was depressing, I felt sorry for myself but didn’t know how to do anything about it. I became home bound and very lazy. My partner would say I would get up at the “crack of noon” which was not far from the truth.
The road to recovery
After speaking to a few people about how I was feeling, a light bulb struck. I decided I needed to do something ... anything! Not only to try and see the world again but also to try and get my health, fitness and happiness back. This is when I joined Fernwood Belconnen.
In June last year I walked into the gym and I haven’t looked back. I’ve had fantastic support from Kellie Toohey and her team. Kellie started by helping me with my rehab – no more trips to the physio for me! She also trained me and gave me a rehab training program that I could follow, even if I couldn’t make it to the gym. I was progressing well and decided to take the next step and do group personal training and more one-on-one personal training. I was lucky enough to find not only a trainer but a mentor, health coach and personal shopper – the lengths these trainers go to! Without Carina Sciberras I wouldn’t have made it to the position I am in today – she’s been full of encouragement, support and positivity and has definitely been my rock. She’s gone way above and beyond in helping me move forward.
Every week since my accident has been such a journey, not only with my new healthy lifestyle, but noticing how my training has come along in leaps and bounds. I have seen consistent progress since I joined Fernwood Belconnen, taking small steps each week with my leg, so I don’t go backwards. In the last four months I have lost 17.6 kilograms (but who is counting!) and over 180 centimetres, and I’m running again, too. But more importantly I’ve become much healthier, happier, stronger and fitter, and found my love of life (and golf) again.
While I know I still have a long way to go, Fernwood Belconnen has helped me come back from virtually rock bottom to somewhere I never ever dreamed of being. The support that I have received, not only from Carina and Kellie, but from everyone else at the gym has been amazing. I walk through the door and it’s like coming home. There is just such a great vibe, not only from the wonderful staff but also the members who continually turn up at 6am with smiles on their faces.
Given the journey I have been on, what I have learnt, and what I have accomplished in my short time there, I now believe that if you do ever have an illness or injury, you can come back. Know you have options, and know you can always take those steps forward to improving your lifestyle and fitness.
*Fernwood client testimonial was achieved as part of an overall healthy diet and exercise plan. Regular exercise and proper diet are necessary to achieve and maintain weight loss. Consult your healthcare professional before beginning any diet or fitness program.