Today, we wanted to focus on Sandra Janssen, a regular inspiring PEAK athlete who continues to put in the hard work week in and week out. You might have seen Sandra around PEAK Hawthorne on a Friday in our prevention classes working hard to improve her general strength and conditioning. 

Sandra’s journey through her eyes:

I started Peak Prevention classes 3-1/2 years ago, with an aim to improve bone density due to an osteopenia diagnosis. At the time, I was not in optimal health due to many years of Crohn’s disease (an auto-immune, inflammatory bowel disease). Unfortunately after only 6 months of classes, I was hospitalised due to a Crohn’s flare-up and other complications.

After a few weeks of recovery, I rejoined the Prevention classes in order to improve bone density and muscle strength. This was the point where I was encouraged by the PEAK physios to face my fear of weight lifting after admiring many other women doing so in Prevention classes.
It took a while, but with patience and lots of guidance, I finally reached my goal to back squat my body weight. A huge feat for someone who could not lift the bar initially!

I am still working on my deadlift goal, but it is important to always have a goal to stretch my abilities (safely) and inspire me to keep coming to PEAK.

Sandra has had her fair share of challenges with multiple hospital stays as she has explained above. Now anyone could get disheartened and lose their groove after such drawbacks. Not Sandra. She has kept pushing. Still striving for her deadlift goal, Sandra has since completed her goal squatting her bodyweight over and over again.

 

How can Sandra’s story provide inspiration for others?

She achieved one of her goals to squat her bodyweight even when she faced setbacks.

Her ongoing desire to achieve her goal of deadlifting her body weight and ticking off this goal on the dream big wall.

She demonstrates that every athlete that attends PEAK, through thick and thin will be guided and encouraged to reach the goals they never felt possible.

It has been a pleasure to witness Sandra’s dedication to improving herself both physically and mentally especially with the setbacks she has faced. She has continued to apply herself towards her goals and we can’t wait to see her tick off her deadlift goal on the Dream Big wall!

Hawthorne

Address
5/171 Riding Road,
Hawthorne, QLD, 4171
Get Directions
Opening Hours -
6 days per week
  • Monday - Friday: 7:00 am - 8:00 pm
  • Saturday: 7:00 am - 1:00 pm

To make a booking outside of business hours, please use our form by clicking here.

New Farm

Address
1/15 Lamington Street,
New Farm, QLD, 4005
Get Directions
Opening Hours -
6 days per week
  • Monday: 7:00 am - 8:00 pm
  • Tuesday: 7:00 am - 8:00 pm
  • Wednesday: 9:00 am - 8:00 pm
  • Thursday: 10:00 am - 8:00 pm
  • Friday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
  • Saturday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm

To make a booking outside of business hours, please use our form by clicking here.