Sport
23 November, 2024
Strength now Julie’s passion
THROUGH her love of fitness, 47-year-old Julie Melvin went to overcome unhealthy habits and health conditions and ultimately become Australia’s fittest woman after winning the FMG Australian 45+ fitness champion in October.
Julie Melvin from Brinsmead has always been a go-getter from being a young mum of three at 23 to being self employed since the age of 21. As a hairdresser, she dreamed of becoming Australia’s fittest woman.
She realised this dream on October 18 when she became the FMG Australian 45+ fitness champion.
“Before I got into the sport I had a very unhealthy habit, I under-ate for a long time. I was from the era where carbs were bad and you didn’t eat carbs and major fat. This sport taught me to fuel my body,” she said. “I was diagnosed a celiac when my second son was born and then I was diagnosed with osteopenia in 2016.
“My kids left home when I was 42, so as an empty nester, I wanted to do something for myself. In 2019 I decided I wanted to do a bikini competition but then COVID happened.
“I met my partner Matt Krenske, who’s a personal trainer at Genesis, and continued my journey through him. I first competed in 2022 placing 4th in 35+ bikini and 6th in 35+ fitness and in 2023 I got my pro card.
“I always said to my children, I’m going to be the Australian champion and, for the last 12 months, I have devoted all of energy to that goal and under the guidance of my partner Matt I won the Australian championship on October 18.”
Ms Melvin’s dream is not nearly done as she’s aspiring to make it to world championships next year.
“I want to do worlds next year and I’m going to be the world champion. I’m going to spend the next 12 months digging deeper than I’ve ever thought possible for it,” she said.
“Being on stage is amazing but for me the journey is the part I actually love. It’s the part where you push yourself harder than you’ve ever pushed before, and you get through those moments, and you think ‘I did that’. It’s so empowering.
“I couldn’t have done this on my own. My partner Matt from Aftermath Fitness, without him this wouldn’t have been possible. Five Star Fitness sponsored and supported me through the last two shows. I’ve also had Cairns Cosmetic Clinic sponsor me, the Cairns fitness community has been a family to me.
“I now have an extremely good relationship with food and have reversed my osteopenia with weight training over the last four years and I love sharing my story in hope that it will encourage many more to make the step in becoming the best version of themselves.”
