Success StoriesWhen you improve your health and fitness, you get the chance to enjoy more out of life. Here’s the difference SmallWonders has made for our members. Get your free consultation today.
Overcoming Crohn’s Disease
I initially approached Jackie Small to address my ongoing weight fluctuations. I was an endurance cyclist and had just completed six months of hard training but had gained a lot of weight over this time - to my bewilderment . I also live with Crohn's disease, since the age of 15 and have suffered from food intolerances all of my life. Along with this I suffered from chronic knee pain, shoulder pain from an old injury and chronic PMS. I struggled to get a good night's sleep and stress levels were high. In short I was a wreck , but fit and thought I was healthy. Within 18 months of working with Jackie Small - What a turn around. Small Wonders holistic approach , dealing with all my issues and not just food has turned my life around. I have had no severe Crohn's attacks in nearly 2 years, my PMS has all but disappeared, knee and shoulder pain have improved immensely and best of all I now sleep! Focused and knowledgeable weight training has assisted in my body fat percentage decreasing from 37% to 12%, stress levels are now managed effectively and my whole quality of life has improved. Alongside this I have competed in 4 Natural Bodybuilding competitions, placing in all. 2018 saw me have the most success, both on stage and off stage. My digestive issues are now managed even more effectively, and the body now understands how to use food to nourish itself, rather than trying to fight inflammation all the time. I am happy, confident and feel great. I have built my knowledge and understanding of my body, its triggers and how to become strong and mobile. I can now effectively support others around me and have developed a real passion for the wellbeing of children. I can't believe the amount of knowledge that the SmallWonders team have - always ready to assist, support, encourage and guide when I've needed it. Jackie practises what she preaches and her words of wisdom are so motivating . I've thrown a lot of challenges her way and the effort to find out more to solve challenges goes far deeper than just a trainer - the SmallWonders team care about you and you are not a number! The holistic approach, where everything is connected has been the best thing I could have done for my health and well being. Lisa Cuff
More than just a gym
I have known Tony and Jackie from SmallWonders for many years. I first used Tony’s services as a holistic health and fitness coach around ten years ago. He helped me sort my nutrition, got a regular exercise routine established and turned me into a coffee snob! He then sent me on my fitness journey, helped me with stretching and mobility exercises before I began gym work and at the time ran my first marathon achieving 3hrs 30min I lost over 20kg and have kept it off. After visiting their new 24/7 gym I made the decision to move, having been at one of those large “commercial” gyms for many years, simply going through the motions, not really getting results and wondering whether it was all worth it. I’ve now been going for a few years and my whole outlook to health and well-being has been transformed. Tony and Jackie have created an environment that enables people to succeed because SmallWonders is more than just a gym - it is a place of learning, a place of community, of sharing experiences and knowledge. Tony and Jackie are always around and willing to freely share their knowledge and experience, from the free weekly seminars to specific classes that provide that little extra. Great whether you want to go at your own pace or enjoy finding ways to push yourself (as I do!). My wife now goes and is enjoying many of the same experiences that SmallWonders has to offer. The gym has a personal feel, the environment is friendly, the equipment is great. If your looking for a place that offers more than just a gym make a time to see Tony and Jackie, they transformed my life and I know they will for you. Scott Ambridge My Before and After Before SmallWonders: I had a lot of stress in my life, my posture was bad from long hours sitting at a desk, I was overweight, struggling with the effects of menopause, using coffee and bad food as "pick me ups" to get energy to keep working, got lots of headaches and had very poor sleep. There was very little exercise happening and certainly no strength work. All I recognised at the time was that I was overweight and wanted to do something about that, so I started training with Jackie and Tony. My after (but still ongoing) story: For a long time I didn't lose weight - but I dropped two dress sizes, sleep improved a bit and menopause symptoms, particularly hot flushes, eased. I am sure that regular exercise helped me "tolerate" the stress. Now I’ve lost 12kg weight and have low body fat percentage. But I also now understand that the benefits of strength training are not necessarily weight related. Good health, strong body, good sleep are the more important outcomes. I am now officially a senior citizen, but I am committed to continue training with SmallWonders. By investing in my ongoing health I get sick less often and have fewer visits to the doctor! Raewyn Brumby A Big Thank You The past two years have been an amazing journey and I never thought after the first meeting with Tony that this is where I would be. I have seen so many changes within myself, not just my body but my thoughts and my goals. I love the sport I have chosen to do (bodybuilding) and cannot imagine not living my life this way now. I have meet amazing people, had so many laughs and a few cries, but so much joy. The gym has become my happy place and I get such a buzz out of being there and enjoying what I do.I just want to say that my journey would not have been this much fun without your guidance and support. I cannot thank you enough for your support. Mel
BODY QUEST NATURAL OLYMPIA 2018
Hi I’m Jenni, from New Zealand, 55 years old, 5’5”, 55kg (121lbs) and what a health story I have to tell. I lost a ton of weight, got true story healthy and real-life strong. I’m ready to put my new body on stage for everyone to see under these bright lights bronzed up in crazy sparkly heels. My ill-health journey began in 1981 when at 17 I was diagnosed with a number of spinal issues Scheuermann's Disease, degenerative lumbar & sacrum, misaligned arthritic vertebrae. Informed I could never have children as the spine wouldn’t support pregnancy and I wouldn’t have the physical capability required to care for children. That I would have to sleep with a backboard under the mattress. No lifting ... anything. At best I would get to 40 before needing to be in a wheelchair full time. By 1992 at age 29 I had 3 children and walking & swimming was the most activity I could cope with. I stopped weighing myself when I hit 103kg (227lbs) thats me then in the photo. Kept gaining weight through poor nutrition, overeating & lack of exercise. Medicated to the hills. Pain from spine degeneration was so bad that Dr would give me a shot of pethidine or morphine just to get me up off the floor. Heading into my 50th in 2013, I was hospitalised as my legs stopped working. Another bucket full of meds. Handed a “solution” in the form of a back brace to wear all day, every day until the wheelchair. Depressed, under-active thyroid, compromised immune system, off the charts cholesterol. I lived with fear and pain. I needed something now. I booked a consultation with SmallWonders personal coach Tony Small. This was a changing point in my life. For 5 years Tony has listened to each complaint, whinge, whine & excuse, shared his extensive knowledge on nutritionally rich food, training programmes, wellbeing guidance giving me mindful challenges to actively pursue goals. Even goals we didn’t know I was capable of achieving. Supported through the gym’s real people members who willingly share their stories & knowledge. I’ve gone from not being able to lift 2 litres of milk to lifting weights. Enjoying all the gym offers me. I have held my living weight (almost 50% less than the 103kg) for over 3 years. Transformed inside & out. My warmhearted husband, outstanding children & precious grandchildren reap the rewards of their support in my slow transition. We race around, climb, swim, live a life of action. How I present today is not a tick off my bucket list. Never in my wildest dreams was this fabulous healthy body, mind & soul a possibility. From another great Jenny, JLo “I used to have a little, now I have a lot” Jenni Bird Testimonial For the last five years we have attended weekly hour-long sessions with Tony Small at SmallWONDERS gym, after being advised by friends - a married couple - that is was one of the most enjoyable of the hours in a week that they spent together! Initially skeptical, we went to meet Tony and discuss his services. Although we have always kept reasonably fit doing various sports and activities, our intention was to improve our flexibility, posture and muscle tone in general, while (obviously!) enjoying the time together. Tony did not disappoint, and we continue to look forward to our weekly sessions of exercise and discussion. Our core strength and muscle tone have definitely improved over this time and we feel it is a valuable hour spent focusing on our bodies and working towards maintaining a good standard of fitness and general wellbeing as we (slowly!) age. Tony has been extremely encouraging and helpful in designing a programme to suit our particular needs and suggesting ways to optimize our exercise regime. We are both very happy to endorse Tony's professional services and highly recommend his expertise in designing personalised exercise programmes. His friendly manner and positive approach to life make the time spent with him both physically and mentally beneficial! Ken Clark Specialist Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Medical Director MidCentral Health Amanda Clark NZ Registered Nurse Reach your goals - book your free initial consultation today.
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