Pressure!

Do you think we put to much pressure on ourselves.

Do you take time out for yourself?

In today's society we can very easily get caught up in the day to day grind of everything. In doing so we forget to take a deep breathe and just enjoy life. Humans tend to be quite time poor working longer hours plus traveling further to get to their jobs. Because of these and other factors we forget to take some time out for ourselves, it's either work, family, money ... The list goes on and this can lead to serious amounts of stress. Stress is such a powerful emotion which can be very detrimental to our health and can cause such health conditions like anxiety.

We all need some time to ourselves from time to time. We spend so much time trying to set up a good life for ourselves, we forget to enjoy it.

How do you like to enjoy yourself?

Below are a list of top 5 things I like to do which makes me enjoy life.

1. Playing or watching football - love my footy!

2. Spend a weekend away with my young family - it's good to get away from the hussle and bustle sometimes

3. Listen to Coldplay - I find I just tune out when listening to them

4. Sit down and enjoy watching a DVD with my wife - with a little one we don't get much time to ourselves but this is something we try and do a couple of times a month

5. Catching up with friends - always great to see friends

Hopefully it’s given you a few ideas but if not, when you are feeling overwhelmed and under pressure – take a deep breathe to help you relax – I guarantee when you start to relax – your mind will relax and you’ll be more productive at whatever you are doing.

Tristan Simmons
Healthy Living Director at Mill Park Leisure

New Health Club - Official Launch Party

We were super excited with the turn out at our Official Launch Party on the 27th February, at which everyone had a great night! A special thanks to Mayor Mary Lalios for officially launching it!

The enormous amount of positive feedback about the new Health Club is great to hear - we love it as much as you guys do!

Health Club Redevelopment Timeline

Are you excited about the BRAND NEW Health Club launching Thursday 13th February? Us too!

Please see below for the timeline of the redevelopment and installation of equipment, taking note of all changes to hours and access.

Tuesday 4^th February
During this time, workers will relocate old equipment to form temporary gym

Health Club CLOSED from 6.00am – 4.00pm

Temporary Gym OPEN from 4.00pm -10.00pm in Program Room

Located behind reception with selected pin loaded and cardio equipment.


Wednesday 5^th February until Tuesday 11^th February
During this time works on floors, walls and electrical/data setup will take place in the Health Club.
 
Temporary Gym OPEN during regular hours in Program Room
Located behind reception with selected pin loaded and cardio equipment.
 
Temporary Free Weights Section OPEN during regular hours
Located in a small section of the Health Club where works will not take place.


Wednesday 12^th February
During this time old equipment will be removed and the installation of the new equipment will take place.

Temporary Gym OPEN from 6.00am – 12.00pm

Located behind reception with selected pin loaded and cardio equipment.
 
Temporary Gym CLOSED from 12.00pm – 10.00pm

Temporary Free Weights Section CLOSED from 6.00am – 10.00pm

Thursday 13^th February
Health Club Relaunch occurs.

BRAND NEW Health Club Open from 6.00am – 10.00pm

Health Club hours and access return to normal.



Stay Tuned for details: 

NEW Health Club exclusive Launch Party event for members.

BRAND NEW Health Club Launching Thursday 13th February!

 

 

 

The date is finally here...

 

Our BRAND NEW Health Club is launching Thursday 13th February!

 

Take a SNEAK PEEK below at just how awesome it will be...

 



 

 

 

 

 

Interview: Pausha Mosley - Personal Trainer at Mill Park Leisure

Born the 29th of March 1991 I was born 3months premature, I was the average size of a male’s hand. 

 

I come from a family of 5 - I’m the baby sister of two older brothers.

 

I attended Mill Park Heights Primary School and finished up my schooling at Mill Park Secondary. This was a successful time for me in my life - it was one of my goals in life that I wanted to achieve - schooling wasn’t my favourite thing to do. I completed year 12 in 2009, also accepting the Mill Park Secondary Sports Award. 

 

What do you do?

 

I studied my diploma in sport with SEDA which is also where I completed my cert 3 & 4 in fitness I first took on gym work at Contours in Epping. I now work as a PT / Fitness Instructor at the YMCA, I have currently been working for the company for 2 years. I also have a passion for working with children of all needs; I work on school holiday programs both with main stream children and special needs along with working after school care, and also work on reception a couple of days a week.
 

What is your definition of success?

My definition of success is setting yourself a goal and working towards achieving it whether its big or small it can be anything that’s going to make you a happy person or more successful in your life.
 

What do you think has enabled you to achieve success with the health and fitness industry?

 

I believe my success has come from growing up as a tom boy with two older brothers, also loving playing sport weather it was until the street lights turned on in the court or for a team or club. This would be a reason why I’m involved in the fitness industry.
 

What are 5 top tips you’d give the average person wanting to improve business performance?

• Set yourself the goal first
• Be organised
• Make it a life style change, rather than a time for just now
• Never give up on what you want
• Set yourself a time frame

After a great result, how do you celebrate?

I would spend time with either my family or friends on a night out for a dance or a dinner.

What’s the most satisfying thing you’ve ever done and why?

 

One of the most satisfying things I have done was to jump out of a plane, because I always wanted to do it but I definitely had to build up the courage to do so.

What do you do outside of work to relax and wind down?

I catch up with my friends or family, spend time visiting my nanna to talk about all the Goss, I play indoor soccer on a Thursday night.

Now’s the time for what we call the turbo 10. Ten quick questions...

• What is your favourite song? World’s Greatest
• Favourite athlete? Nathan Buckley
• Movie? Sister act
• Food? Lollies
• Holiday destination? I want to travel the world
• Most recent read book? The secret
• What really annoys you? People chewing with their mouth open or blowing bubble with chewy
• If you could do anything you wanted; what would it be? Participate in the amazing race
• The one thing you’d change in the world right now? Inequality in the world
• Where would like your life to be in 5 years? I would like to start my own family, and working in something I love doing. 

Interview: Krystal Guerra - Personal Trainer at Mill Park Leisure

I was born on the 6^th of November 1991, here in Melbourne. I grew up in Mill Park and still live in Mill Park with my parents Joe, Helen, also my two brothers - Jason (24) and Cameron (19) whom I share the same birthday with but we are three years apart.

When I was just 5 years old I used to snore, it was so loud my parents could hear me from the other end of the house, even with my bedroom door closed. In the end I was in need of an operation to get my tonsils and adenoids out, so that I breathe properly due to my small airways. Post operation I had a few complications leading to me being back in hospital multiple times. At one point my parents were told that they may lose me; thankfully I overcome the situation and slowly recovered.

I went to primary school at St Francis of Assisi and then moved on the high school at St Monica’s College. Through my whole schooling period I was always a tomboy - while all the other girls were off doing cartwheels and handstands, I would be out on the oval with the boys playing footy or soccer. Still to this day, I rather be outside playing sports than doing my hair or my nails. I love watching all footy, but most of all I love my boys down at Carlton. GO BLUES!

I completed my Diploma in Fitness at Victoria University and after finishing my Diploma I went into running a successful Personal Training franchise at Fitness First in Epping. I was there for a year and just before they closed down I left. This now brings me to Mill Park Leisure, where I have learnt so much and worked in most areas of the centre. I have made many lifelong friends and I look forward to helping everyone here at Mill Park Leisure to achieve their goals - no matter how big or small we all work together to get the results that each individual is looking for.

1. What do you do?
I work in a few different areas at Mill Park Leisure - in the Gym as a Gym Instructor and a Personal Trainer, I work  in Customer Service and also in Disability Services. I have also worked previously as a Swim Teacher.

2. What is your definition of success?
Success to me is achieving results, big or small, moving in a forward motion in a happy and healthy manner.

3. I think we can sometimes learn from the mistakes we make. What are some of the biggest mistakes you’ve made along the way? What did you learn from this?
I have made mistakes along the way - I think that everyone makes mistakes, but this is good because you learn from them and then grow with what you have learnt. My biggest mistake so far would have to be that fact that I have trouble saying “NO”, by me trying to please everyone and fit everyone in when it suits them it was taking a toll on my body. By giving them a few different options that worked for me gave them enough of a chance to pick what suited them also. I was working too long of a day and not getting the down time my body needed. I now know only to do what I can handle.

4. What are the top 5 tips you’d give the average person wanting to improve business performance?

• Never give up
• Up-skill all the time
• Check out the competition
• Be organised
• Have goals in place

5. What do you think has enabled you to achieve success with the health and fitness industry?
The main reason for my success would have to be my love for the sport and fitness industry, secondly a great support system from my teachers at school through to work colleagues and most importantly my family and friends at home.

6. Who has the greatest influence on your career and what lessons did they teach you?
The greatest influence for my career would have to be my exercise prescription teacher when I was doing my Diploma. He taught me almost everything I know about the industry, but he also gave me the little tips for my sessions that make the difference. I still think of things that he says to this day in every one of my personal training sessions, it could be for anything about training to building rapport with clients.  

7. After a great result, how do you celebrate?
I would usually celebrate with family and friends with a dinner or a night out.

8. What do you do outside of work to relax and wind down?
Outside of work I catch up with friends, relax with family (having cooking days with my Nonna). I also play soccer so train on Tuesdays and Thursdays and then game day Sundays.

9. Now’s the time for what we call turbo 10. Ten quick questions….
What your favourite song? Pink, so what.

• Favourite athlete? Andrew Walker
• Movie? Step Brothers
• Food? Fairy Floss
• Holiday destination? Europe, I am going in 2014!!!
• Most recently read book? I haven’t read a book since high school, I do read the paper.
• What really annoys you? When people scratch their fork or knife on the plate and make the screeching sound.
• If you could do anything that you wanted; what would it be? I would be a Personal Trainer for a singer or some kind of famous person - that way I could travel around the world while working a job that I love!
• The one thing you would like to change in the world right now? For everyone to pass away old and peacefully in their sleep.
• Where would you like to be in 5 years? All I want is to  be happy and healthy making a living of something I love to do.
   

Push Up Competition Results

On Tuesday 15th October our very own Tas and Michelle ran a competition to see who was Mill Park’s Push Up King and Queen. We had 3 categories that participants could enter.

Male – Traditional Push Ups
Female – Traditional Push Ups
Female – Knee Push Ups

On the night we had a great turn out with everyone keen to show their stuff.
Our top 3 for each category were:

Male – Traditional Push Ups1. Tom - 67
2. Kristian - 57
3. Rick - 54

Female – Traditional Push Ups
1. Alison - 50
2. Mary - 34
3. Gayle - 26
Female – Knee Push Ups
1. Mary - 100
2. Erica - 52
3. Brooke – 20

Well done to everyone who participated and great effort by all!

Interview: Michelle Fisicaro - Personal Trainer at Mill Park Leisure

Hi all, my name is Michelle I'm one of the new trainers on the gym floor, but an old face as I have been a member at Mill Park Leisure for 10 years before doing my Fitness Certificates in 2012. But lets wind it back a bit…


I was born in Parkdale so have a penchant for the beach and I don’t like winter at all!!!!!

I met my gorgeous hubby 21 years ago. After we got married, we moved to Sydney for a couple of years where I was diagnosed with Cervical Cancer. I find myself very fortunate to have gone through this process and have a clear health history in that area now, but it did lead to a couple of problems when we fell pregnant with triplets naturally. I delivered my first little boy Cooper at 21 weeks, sadly we lost him. We hung on tight to our other 2 babies who were born at 24 weeks, another boy and a girl. We lost Tyson at 8 weeks of age, but I have an amazing 14 year old daughter Mackenzie with a clear health history, so we are extremely lucky. It was an ordeal but I wouldn’t have had it any other way. Within the next 2 years we decided to have another baby, this is with much decision as it meant I was to have an Trans Abdominal Suture through my uterus, to be able to carry another pregnancy. So cut a long story short, there was a joke should we put a zip in my abdominal region, for having had 9 operations in a matter of a few years.

Of course you giggle and laugh at it now but it took a toll on my exercising - this is why I like to keep in shape, as you never know what is around the corner. We also now have a gorgeous hazel eyed son Dante who is very cheeky and full of character. I wouldn’t change anything about my life…

Having had a few hiccups over the years, I have always known I wanted to be a Personal Trainer and so I decided to take myself back to school last year, after not having been at school for 30 years. I found this very daunting but it was last year or never…

So here I am at my second home! Instead of being a member I'm now here to help all our members with any health issues they may have or if its just to have a chat get something off their chest…  

1. What do you do?
I also work on Reception as well as Gym floor and Personal Trainer.

2. What is your definition of success?
Success is to see my clients walking out of here happy but knowing they have had an awesome workout and how we are training is working specifically for them and their needs.

3. What do you think has enabled you to achieve success with the health and fitness industry?
Being of a mature age has given me life skills to be able to talk to all types of people from all levels.

4. After a great result, how do you celebrate?
I spend time with my family because they are my greatest influence.

5. What’s the most satisfying thing you’ve ever done and why?
Having my children is the most satisfying as there was a stage we though we may not have children but also going back to school has helped me overcome some of my own hurdles with which I put up…

6. What do you do outside of work to relax and wind down?
Spending time with family and friends we like to be social on the weekends and especially when the warm weather comes….

7. Where do you see opportunity in the health and fitness industry in the next 5 years?
My goal is to learn as much as I can about the industry and to turn this into helpful information for our patrons…
 
8. Now’s the time for what we call the Turbo 10. Ten quick questions…

• What is your favourite song? Over The Rainbow- Judy Garland
• Favourite athlete? Cory Everson                                            
• Movie? The Way We Were                                                    
• Food?  Everything - Chocolate                                              
• Holiday destination? Bali                                                      
• Most recently read book? Women's Health                              
• What really annoys you?  Housework                                    
• If you could do anything you wanted; what would it be? I'm doing it!!!!!!!
• The one thing you’d like to change in the world right now? A cure for cancer!    
• Where would you like to be in 5 years time?  Still here having a wonderful time with my friends at Mill Park……      

Interview: Tristan Simmons - Healthy Living Director at Mill Park Leisure

I am a true Northern suburbs boy. I was born in Preston back in 1984 before my parents moved to Wallan. We were only there a short time before we moved to Bundoora where my parents still live now. I’m the eldest of 4 boys…poor mum, with the youngest being 10 years old.

Growing up I wasn’t one to sit down and study, I loved playing sports right throughout primary and high school. Instead of studying I was playing footy or cricket with my mates. Throughout my schooling I played a number of schools sports which included football, cricket, golf, table tennis, volleyball and hockey.

Outside of school I started playing junior football when I was 8 years old and finally hung up the boots when I was 26 , winning 3 premierships along the way with Bundoora. I had some tough times during my career after sustaining certain injuries -  the worst was being diagnosed with a bulging disc at 21 years of age. I endured months of rehab before I was able to return playing. I think overcoming these injuries have made me a stronger person. I’m still involved with the club to date, finals are about to start so hopefully we can bring home the big one.

In 2011 I was lucky enough to marry the girl of my dreams, Sharon, in Hurstbridge. I first met Sharon back in 2004 at my cousins wedding. We bought our first house together in 2009 and recently bought ¼ acre where we’ll build our new home. Earlier this year our beautiful daughter Emerson was born and words can’t describe what she means to both of us.  I also have 2 dogs which make up the rest of the family. Maddie is maltese terrier cross which we adopted because she wasn’t being treated well and Sam is a Kelpie we got from the Whittlesea show.

Both Sharon and I love to get away whenever we can. We have been lucky enough to travel overseas a few times. We’ve been to Thailand and Malaysia twice plus we went to Mauritius for our Honeymoon. If we don’t travel overseas we love to head down the coast for weekends away. We have a family beach house down Phillip Island which her grandfather built himself 50 years ago. Both Sharon and I holidayed down the island when we were kids and now Emerson will get to experience it as well.

I’ve been in the industry for over 8 years now and met so many wonderful people. Getting up in the morning knowing I’m helping individuals change their lives forever is a great feeling and that’s why I love what I do.

 1. What do you do?
I’m the Healthy Living Director for Whittlesea YMCA at Mill Park Leisure

2. What is your definition of success?
To me achieving goals you set is success. It doesn’t matter if the goal is small or large, a goal is a goal. 

3. What are your thoughts on the parallels between business and sport?
When I was playing sport, I had a hunger to improve myself to succeed on the field. The same goes for business – there are different measures for success but the principles are the same. In sport the drive was to win a premiership, in business its to lead a successful team in changing the lives of other people.

4. I think we can sometimes learn more from the mistakes we make. What are some of the biggest mistakes you’ve made along the way? And what did you learn from this?  I’ve made numerous mistakes over my life but the biggest one for me was not trusting my own judgement in a certain situation. I learnt a lesson that day and now I back my instincts (also one of my tips below).

5. What are the 5 top tips you’d give the average person wanting to improve business performance?
- Trust your instincts
- Set goals
- Continue to develop yourself
- Be a sponge and learn off others along the journey
- Take a risk

6. How do you consistently sustain performance in your business/career?
I always look to develop myself – whether it’s as a trainer or a leader – you never stop developing and if you choose not to develop yourself unfortunately you’ll miss out.

7. And your thoughts on how to turn a mix of different people and personalities into a world class team?
A great team has a diverse group of instructors, everyone is on the bus but to turn them into a world class team – my job is to make sure everyone is in the right seats.

8. Who has had the greatest influence on your career and what lessons did they teach you?
Two people have influenced my career:
First is my wife Sharon – she has been so supportive in everything I’ve wanted to do and helped me out where possible – she gives me the confidence to go after my dreams.
Secondly my dad – When I was young, he and my mother had just built there first house and he was working 3 jobs to support us. I know he was up 5am and didn’t get home till 10pm Monday – Friday plus he worked both Saturday and Sunday. It taught me to work hard and support my family but also find a balance between family and work life.

9. After a great result, how do you celebrate? 
A nice relaxing day out with the family.

10. What’s the most satisfying thing you’ve ever done and why?
Helping clients achieve their goals because I walk away knowing I’ve changed their lives forever.

11. What do you do outside of work to relax and wind down?
There are a couple of things I like to do – either spending time with my beautiful wife and 5 month old daughter or I love my footy so sitting down and watching a good game of AFL footy.

12. Where do you see opportunity in the health and fitness industry in the next 5 years?
I see more opportunity in local sporting clubs, especially local football – AFL and VFL football is becoming more and more professional which is slowing filtering down to local clubs employing fitness coaches. There will be more opportunities to work with local clubs but also the possibilities of more sports training facilities opening up.

13. Now’s the time for what we call the Turbo 10. Ten quick questions…

• What is your favourite song? Mr Brightside – The killers   
• Favourite athlete? Simon Black                          
• Movie? Forgetting Sarah Marshall                                          
• Food? Thai/Mauritian Food                                                   
• Holiday destination? Grand Baie - Mauritius                             
• Most recently read book? A decade of Pride – History of the Brisbane Lions           
• What really annoys you? Election advertisements                    
• If you could do anything you wanted; what would it be? Play AFL football 
• The one thing you’d like to change in the world right now? Childhood obesity
• Where would you like to be in 5 years time? Definitely still in the fitness industry – maybe managing my own club and continuing to help young PT’s achieve their business goals.    

 

When was the last time you had to challenge yourself... mentally?

When people talk about health and fitness, the first thing they think about is the physical challenge of exercise.

During our lives we come across numerous mental challenges – some are small and take minimal time to work through, while others require much more thought. I recently came up against a significant mental challenge, different to anything I had experienced before. For those who don’t know I have a 4 month old daughter. My wife and daughter mean everything to me and I haven’t spent an evening away from them since my daughter was born.

Last week the Y conducted a winter sleep out to raise funds for our charity Open Doors. It was a fantastic idea but for me the challenge wasn’t the physical aspect of sleeping outside in the cold wintery weather. It was the mentality of spending the night away from my family for the first time.

Mental challenges also apply to your health and fitness. The biggest mental challenge most people face is getting to the gym. We sit at home umming and arring whether we should go to the gym or not and by the time a decision is made it’s too late. Physically there aren’t any issues, it’s just having that mental challenge of getting up off the couch and going to the gym. 

Does this sound like you?

If you answered yes then read on. If this was you, but not any longer, well done on making the change.

For those reading on there are a few strategies you can put it place to help you get over those mental challenges.

1)    Pencil your workouts in your diary – treat your workouts just like any other appointment, write it down and stick to it

2)    Find a workout buddy – training with a partner or friend has so many benefits. You’ll be able to motivate each other to get to the gym and during your workouts

3)    Try Personal Training – Having a PT will keep you motivated and accountable to your workouts – plus they make it fun!

Now you have some strategies, go about implementing them and let me know how you go, I’d love to hear your feedback.

By the way - I did make it to the sleep out...

Healthy Regards

Tristan Simmons

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" - Confucius

Your health and fitness goals are a journey and will be journey for as long as it takes for you to reach them. Every time you walk out your front door to come to the centre, that is another step of your journey.

Some steps will be harder than others, some steps will make you want to give up, sometimes you’ll feel like your stepping backwards but if you stick to your journey and continue taking those steps, it will be one of the most rewarding achievements of your life.

So what is your goal? How far along the journey are you? Do you have a goal?
If you haven’t set any health and fitness goals, now is a great time.

Goal setting isn’t hard or time consuming, however it is a must. It gives us all a target to work towards which is extremely important in health and fitness. I bet you didn’t just join up for the sake of joining a gym, I bet you had a goal in your mind when you when first walked through the door.

As I mentioned earlier, your goals will change along the journey and you must continue to set new ones. Some will be big, some small, nevertheless it gives us the motivation to get off the couch, hop in the car and drive to the gym. We invest time every day to set and evaluate goals in other parts of our life, now take that little bit of time and look at your fitness goals.

Where do you want to be in 6 months?
Many people love to look great and feel good for the warmer months. The only problem is, majority of people wait until those warmer months are upon us to start exercising and by then it’s too late.
Just remember life is a journey, when one ends, another begins. You’ll never stop taking those steps, but it’s up to you how you want to take those steps.
My advice to you is to set your goal and make every step towards that goal count!

- Tristan Simmons