NZ Exercise Industry Finalist: Against All Odds

For immediate release

25 November, 2016

NZ Exercise Industry Finalist: Against All Odds

A Christchurch personal trainer with multiple health conditions is a finalist at this year’s New Zealand Exercise Industry Awards.

Cate Grace from Grace Training (formerly Leap Fitness and Leap2it!) is a PT with multiple health conditions, who manages her day-to-day chronic pain on crutches with daily movement, regular infusions, weekly injections and up to 12 pills a day (which all help keep her out of a wheelchair), is up for the prestigious personal trainer of the year award.

"Without working in this industry who knows where I would be. I’m buzzing and so delighted to be finalist! It gives hope to anyone going through a tough time, to keep going and follow their dreams,” says Cate.

In 2009 she was told by all her health professionals that exercise would be beneficial to her longevity, but was turned away from all her local gyms because she was deemed too much of a risk.

“I had a strong feeling I was not the only one that was like this. On my challenging road to embrace my conditions and adversity I was looking for somewhere or someone that could bridge the gap from my medical team to mainstream exercise. It was a struggle to find the right person,” she says.

So she went out and filled a gap. Cate became the person she needed, in an extremely unlikely industry for someone like her, through quality education and surrounding herself with inspiring mentors.

“I set up a business that focused on what you can do and from there my passion and enthusiasm has led me to training and mentoring men and women from all over the country either at my motivation and fitness studio or over Skype, working specifically to their needs in an environment they can manage and maintain,” she says.

Cate was quickly overwhelmed with requests from others also not catered for by the mainstream – a motley crew of wonderful people with a wide range of challenges, both physical and psychological who, through encouragement, support and guidance, are breaking down barriers to great health.

The winner will be announced at an awards ceremony in Auckland on Saturday night.

ENDS

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