Fitness advocate up for award

Whangarei's Corinne Austin says her nomination for a fitness industry's people's choice award is humbling. Photo / Supplied

A Whangarei fitness guru has been nominated for an industry people's choice award and is one of just eight in the national finals.

This is the first time that Glenbervie fitness specialist Corinne Austin, a 34-year-old mother of two, has been nominated for the Exercise Industry Awards' 2015 People's Choice Award.

"This is a huge honour as I am up against some real 'fitness celebrities' and the nomination alone makes me pretty darn humble and proud," she said.

Ms Austin has been working in the fitness industry since 2001, and in her own fitness business (originally One2One Fitness but rebranded as Fit Fix last year) since 2007.

She also writes a fortnightly fitness and health column called No Excuses for the Northern Advocate.

Working with a range of clients, including mums through her Mums 'n' Bubs and Mighty Mums Programme, she said she knows what it's like to lack motivation, especially after having a child.

"I'm pretty self-motivated but when I was thrust into the role after having my first child ... I found myself amongst the chaos, fear, uncertainty, and never-ending 'job' that is motherhood.

"I was so absorbed with my new baby daughter, and still trying to run and work in business, that my days never stopped."

She said by the time her daughter was 6 months-old, she had managed to create some new routines that allowed for exercise and time for herself.

Ms Austin holds a Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science and a Postgrad Diploma in Psychology - having studied at Waikato Institute of Technology and Massey University - as well as a range of industry qualifications. She is also the Northland ambassador for the Personal Trainers Council of NZ.

"I don't even like to call it a job. There is such incredible satisfaction gained from helping people in a positive way everyday. Empowering people with tools and ideas to help them gain a better sense and direction from their own health and wellness makes me so happy," she said.

Alongside her private Facebook group Fit M In, she also runs the Fit Fix and Fit Mums pages.

"I keep the public educated and inspired by having at least one post every day on all pages about something topical, motivational, or a question directly to them to help me understand my audience better. Audience engagement and further educating the audience on my own business values, philosophies and nuances is essential to keeping the brand alive, and for continuing to attract prospective new clients," she said.

-The winner will be announced on November 21 at the 2015 Exercise Industry Awards, which is held in Auckland each year. Voting is now open until October 9. To vote for Corinne, go to exerciseindustryawards.co.nz.