YOUR local
YOUR GOOD-NEWS PAPER
www.yourlocalwaggaweekly.com.au
ISSUE 013 FRIDAY, 2 MARCH, 2018
Michelle Bridges: the person behind the brand pennie scott IT is hard to imagine what one thousand tonnes of human blubber would look like; and an extraordinary item to think of in the first place. However, all this adipose is the combined loss of thousands of people who have undertaken a Michelle Bridges body training regime since she started her business at just 14-years-old. “As a child, I was mad on sport and remember learning when I was six and seven, about winning and losing. And if I wanted to avoid the disappointment of losing, I had to discipline myself to train,” Michelle explained. “As a child I wasn’t confident, but was secure in my home life. Mum told me I could do anything or be anyone I wanted to be, and she really sold that message to me. I went to many schools, which resulted in being an easy target to being bullied, which rocked any confidence. “I found solace in sport and training to believe in myself again as these activities were under MY control. This was when I had space, I could breathe and be kind to myself.” “When I was 14, I noticed some kids at school weren’t interested in playing competitive sport, so they didn’t do any exercise at all. I pitched an idea to my school mistress to run some fitness classes for them, and, to my surprise, she agreed,” Michelle laughed. “The first classes were mainly girls but soon, the boys joined in and there was such demand, I booked an empty squash court at the sports centre. I look back and wonder, gratefully, that an adult let a 14-year-old loose on the unsuspecting public! “Being a trainer on the (TV program) Biggest Loser was a great learning curve, and incredibly satisfying seeing people’s lives change. “Most of the contestants were on medications for high blood pressure, diabetes or depression, or all three, and once they started exercising and eating well, their confidence started increasing,” she said. “When you are in a dark hole, it is hard to see the light, yet there is no shame in reaching out to someone to seek help. “Equally, if you think someone may be struggling, just go to them; loving and empathetic support can be a life-turner for another person,” Michelle said. “The evidence demonstrating that exercise is an antidote to depression is everywhere, plus slowing the onset of Alzheimer’s and dementia. “Alcohol is a poison yet deeply embedded in the Australian culture but the consumption of it is completely out of hand. When drinking at home, we pour way more than a standard drink, which can put us in the ‘heavy drinker’ category very quickly, yet most people would not see themselves as one. “Alcohol also is a depressant even though it is the most widely consumed party-drug and incredibly detrimental to health. Many people will not drink through the week then have benders on the weekend. This is so injurious to brains and bodies yet deemed acceptable behaviour,” Michelle said. She explained that, how people make decisions has so many influences, especially the company people keep. “If you have negativity around you, that will be your mindset and reality. Alternatively, the opposite is true and being with people who love challenges and believe in themselves is inspirational. Simply being around and within this energy changes lives. “When I speak to groups I want them to leave with three tools they turn into ACTION so they can change their situation. Which language you use is critical to how you see your possibilities and positives words change perspectives,” Michelle concluded. Michelle Bridges is the guest speaker of Wagga Women in Business on 1st March. Major sponsors include Papel (paper) and Billy Tea Furniture who are styling the stage for this sell-out event.
“Be consistent in everything – Moving often and regularly, being kind to yourself, eating well, enjoying your family and living life to the fullest.” - Michelle Bridges.
• Mountaineering - page 6 • Destination Riverina Murray - page 8 •Racing Guide is back - page 9 • Sport - page 23
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