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Friday 1 January 2016

Inspirational Interview - Becc Pritchard: Personal Trainer

Hello, it's Megan here. A few weeks back I shared with you my personal journey about finding a healthier, happier version of myself (you can catch up here if you missed it.) The post was really just a way of keeping myself accountable because if I've told an entire audience about my healthy journey then I'd better bloody stick to it huh!

Anyway...not only did I receive some lovely encouragement from you all, I also received multiple private messages from friends saying how inspirational I was (Say What?!!) and that it was the kick up the bum they needed to start their own healthy journey. Wow. Just wow! I never thought that I would be an inspiration! I couldn't believe it! And boy does that spur me along even more to work harder at bootcamp and stick to my healthy eating goals.

So I thought if I could inspire others to look after themselves, imaging what my trainer and mate Becc Pritchard could do for you all! I decided to pick her brain and share it with you all here!

Ok Becc, tell us about yourself. Who are you and what do you do?

I am 28, a happy wife and mum of two daughters (Charlie 5 and Rosie 3). I am a Crossfit Coach, Personal Trainer and run bootcamps on the northside of Brisbane. I lost 50kgs in 2013 which lead to my career path. I love to cook (and eat even more so), lift weights and hang out with my family, and eat (oops I may have said that twice).

Becc's always smiling! :)


Who or what inspired you to start living a healthy/active life?

I really just wanted to be able to keep up with my kids at first. I was tired of feeling run down and wanted to change. At the time my Mum was in 24hr care (sadly, she passed away in 2014) due to a motor neuron disorder and given that she was only 49 I wanted to get healthy and give myself the best chance of having more time with my daughters and family. It really opened my eyes as to how fragile we can be and how easy it is to take our bodies for granted. Once I started training and eating healthier I couldn't stop. I felt so amazing and I could never imagine being that heavy again and having lost 50kg, keeping it off and being told by those around me that I had inspired them to become healthier made me consider studying to help others to achieve the same outcome. It’s one of the best decisions I have ever made.

Becc's beautiful girls: Charlie (L) and Rosie (R)

What’s a day in the life of a trainer like?

My hubby is a FIFO worker so for 2 weeks out of each month It’s just me and the girls which means a lot of prep work.

4:30 – 8:30am – I rarely set an alarm, my girls are early risers so my day starts before 6am most of the time. We have brekkie, I check emails etc and squeeze in either a 10 minute ab workout or some stretching and if it’s a school day we are dressed and out the door by 8:30. We are always out and about so meals for the day are usually prepped the night before or in the morning and Rosie comes with me everywhere if Luke is away at work.

8:30 – 11:30  - I coach bootcamp and crossfit  as well as get my own training in.

11:30 – 2:30 – Back home so Rosie can have some quiet time and if she naps or watches a movie this usually gives me a chance to get some housework done or blog or do business planning otherwise we are on the swing, having water fights with our dogs or building lego.

2:30 – 7:30 - School pick-up then its back to the gym to coach Crossfit. The girls have dinner in the kids room and play while I teach.

7:30 – late -  Get the girls to bed then I get whatever work I need to get done and have some down time. At the moment I'm enjoying a book called Daring and Disruptive by Lisa Messenger – I rarely read anything other then books that inspire me in either a personal or business capacity. I aim to get to bed by 10:30 but this doesn't always happen.

What does a trainer eat?

Quite a lot, well this trainer does.  I do a lot of weightlifting so it’s important I get plenty of protein to help my muscles recover and grow. When I wake up I start my day with Lemon or Apple Cider Vinegar in warm water to kick start my digestion and a protein shake or a smoothie. Occasionally I will have scrambled eggs (2 eggs, 2 whites and some greens that’s it.)

After coaching and my own training I will have a meal. Chicken and salad or bolognese with sweet potato and zucchini noodles are my go-to but as long as I get some protein and veg I'm happy. Sometimes its something delish from my local café over a coffee with a friend and whilst I was strictly paleo during my weight loss, I am a bit more relaxed with it these days as long as I know I will still feel great afterwards.

Around 2pm I will have another meal that’s slightly smaller – lean meat and veg mostly. 

If I'm really hungry I will have a protein shake before coaching at 4:30pm. Or some almonds and a piece of fruit.

On nights that I coach, dinner is at about 8pm and what I eat is different almost every day – grilled salmon and veg, quinoa with chicken, veggie loaded stir fry are just a few faves. On really warm nights I might even just have a smoothie or cold pressed juice.

Whilst this is my general day to day, every now and then I will eat Krispy Kremes or Pizza and wash it down with a cider. Not my proudest moments I’ll admit, but I believe in being transparent as a trainer and every now and then eating for the mental pleasure of it can be good for the soul …don’t do this everyday though or if you have a strict weight loss goal in place!

What a transformation!


What do you feed fussy kids? Got any tips for us?

My girls can be so fussy at times. I use my much loved Thermomix (you can use your blender or food processor) to add loads of veggies like spinach, spiralina etc in smoothies with cacao, almond milk and berries. Or I blitz spinach, carrot, zucchini, mushrooms etc into sauces to eat over veggie noodles. My girls get most of their veggies this way and I think it’s great.  Fritters are another great way to hide veggies. I'm lucky my girls love grilled salmon and broccoli but if that fails I mash up sweet potato with tuna, peas and egg and turn it into patties, which I bake. They love getting involved too and I feel they are more likely to eat it if they have a sense of pride in the creation of it. Try not to stress about it too much!

Life’s pretty chaotic as a mum so how do you find time to work out?

I schedule it. Working at a gym helps given that I have complete access and can train any time I am free but sometimes life gets in the way! The great thing about exercising is that you can get the same results from a 5 minute workout that you can from an hour depending on the goal and intensity. There are also plenty of things you can do at home with little or no equipment and somedays it’s a 10 minute ab workout and that’s it. Other days I can do 2 x 1 hour sessions and a run. Aim to schedule it first and foremost but if something throws that out the window do what you can…just keep moving!

What’s your favourite quote?

I'm a bit of a quote junkie so I may tell you a different one if you asked me again tomorrow but this is one that has stuck with me for a while….

“Remember: success does not lead to happiness – it’s the other way round. Greater happiness leads to greater success and creating greater happiness is a lot simpler, a lot easier, and a lot more accessible then most people think! – Jeff Olsen


What made you decide to become a trainer?

When I began exercising I found it so exhilarating to see the success in others. Yeah it was great when I lost weight or hit a PR I was aiming for but to see someone else achieve it as well and have them share that with you is an honour. I would have friends that I had trained with tell me that because they knew I was going to be at the gym that it made them want to come and train too and that’s amazing, right? To hear that you made someone want to improve because they saw how happy it made you when you improved yourself is just the most thrillingly happy thing I could ever hear, so naturally, I took the steps to turn that into a career. No way did I think it was going to happen as quickly as it did but I couldn't be happier.

Becc motivating her client

What motivates you?

  • Other people’s achievements.
  • The way training makes me feel. 
  • A Badass song with a heavy guitar riff.
  • The memory of how I felt before I discovered this healthy lifestyle and never wanting to be that way again.

What can’t you live without?

  1. My hubby, kids and dogs
  2. The occasional dumpling
  3. A kettlebell – and not necessarily in that order ;-)

What does Becc do in her down time?

  • Cook. 
  • Ride my motorbike.
  • Go paddle boarding.
  • Play Go Fish (it’s my daughters new found fave so we play LOTS of go fish)
She also enters comps like 'Tough Mudder' for fun!


What are your favourite workout tracks?

  • Metallica – Master of Puppets
  • Guns n Roses – Night Train
  • Pantera – Walk
  • I Love it – Icona Pop
  • Push It – Salt 'n' Pepper

What can I say? I'm a hard core rock chick who likes to dance like a girl and smile when I run every now and then. 


What would you say to someone considering a ‘health kick’ as part of a new year’s resolution?

There’s no need to wait for a new year! Every waking moment is a chance to feel better so get on it! But if the new year is what you need to convince yourself to make it happen…….go for it! Make small changes everyday – it’s more sustainable and they will add up to big results in the long run!

What are your top tips for staying on track and not losing focus?

SET GOALS! I think we all say it but actually writing it down, everywhere and reminding yourself of it everyday is key. You are limitless, really you are! You just have to convince your mind to believe it and the rest of you will make it happen!

Another amazing 'before and after' shot!

What’s in store for Becc for 2016?...and beyond?

Hopefully greatness!! Haha….seriously though, lots more blogging and meeting more and more amazingly inspiring people.  I plan on doing more work with kids in 2016 which is exciting, more study as I never want to stop learning and continuing to help others reach there goals no matter how epic they are. Having fun with my family along the way is a given.

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Becc has committed to blogging everyday in 2016 so keep in touch with her for endless motivation and inspiration! Links below x

Website: www.beccfit.com
Instagram: @beccfit
Email: beccfit@getfit.com




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