Barbell Babe Bree

1. What made you decide to start strength training?

needed to try something different, something other than the standard gym that had continuously left me feeling deflated and unmotivated for years prior. I hit a point where I was always emotional, felt anxious and very unhappy, I wanted somewhere I could release this, let it out and just find myself again and I wanted someone to have my back throughout the process and knew from the moment I spoke to Ro, that everyone at BBB would. I scrolled BBB Instagram and the website several times seeing the confidence in these ladies and the feedback that had been left from them and I knew it was something I needed to do for myself.


2. What do you like about strength training?

! The way that it makes me feel before, during & after training, the excitement of trying a new weight and the feeling when I nail it, improvements on technique, constantly having personal goals to work towards and the little achievements along the way, having coaches that have my back through it all, the benefits that it has had on me and my body so far!


3. What do you find challenging?

9 weeks in, depending on the day that I have just had – having the right mindset for that nights session can sometimes challenge me. Trying to have the ‘can do’ attitude when I’ve had a crappy or a really long day or occasionally mid conditioning session when I randomly feel really emotional and the tears [start] coming on. It’s not a bad thing, I always feel so much better afterwards. I sometimes find it hard to focus or relax my mind/switch off during a tough session when my mind is circling with a million other things. Water intake I find challenging some days, I just forget! This is something I’m working on.

weeks in, depending on the day that I have just had – having the right mindset for that nights session can sometimes challenge me. Trying to have the ‘can do’ attitude when I’ve had a crappy or a really long day or occasionally mid conditioning session when I randomly feel really emotional and the tears [start] coming on. It’s not a bad thing, I always feel so much better afterwards. I sometimes find it hard to focus or relax my mind/switch off during a tough session when my mind is circling with a million other things. Water intake I find challenging some days, I just forget! This is something I’m working on.

4. Tell me about some of your wins since starting here?

Where to begin..
Joining BBB was a huge win to start with! Learning about each lift and the insight, technique and information that comes with each session, the weight increases and improvement in technique in each of my lifts in just 9 weeks, it’s amazing to look back and reflect on the growth and where I started – I’m getting stronger yay! I have learnt to check in with myself daily to try and understand how I am feeling and why, my daily headaches/back and shoulder pain have disappeared, the food I’m eating has changed but also I’m understanding what I’m eating, the confidence I have gained in a short amount of time. Another huge win is meeting some incredible ladies that will always have your back and help push you to your full potential.


5. Where was your mindset at before starting strength training with us? And where is it at now compared to that?

I’d given up. After trying several gyms and losing motivation or newness wearing off, they had basically become a negative thing in my mind and came with the thoughts ‘why would I bother, it never lasts’. I’d almost just come to terms with “this is how I would always be, and there was nothing I could do” – not healthy terms, I became emotional, anxious, unhappy in most aspects of my life, it was affecting my relationships as well. I hated talking about how I felt, or about myself at all, I bottled everything up.

Now.. wow, could almost say the opposite in most aspects. I genuinely love going to the gym – I weirdly miss it when I go a few days without. I had to ask Tori if I could attend more sessions haha. It has become my happy place – and never have I felt like this when attending a gym or a place where I can be active. 9 weeks in and I feel positive about where this is going and excited about the next block already. Feeling healthier and happier within myself overall.


6. Why specifically do you think it’s grown?

Change in all of the above little factors have been such big contributors to my mindset. I could not have done this without the help of you and Tori. I cried in both our phone conversation and when we first met, saying it out loud really hit home for me and made me realise how I had honestly been feeling after pushing it all aside for so long. Talking to Tori about anything on my mind from day one has genuinely helped so much and now checking-in with my feelings, I’m learning to understand the ‘why’. I’m feeling more positive overall. Other things I believe that have contributed; I am learning to use my emotions as fuel in some circumstances, I’m sleeping well, small goals over excuses, excitement over the little wins and just embracing the little things, taking time for myself when I can, positive people and vibes surrounding me, watching ladies hit amazing numbers, comps, lifting parties are all honestly so inspiring, boosts my motivation and reminds me why I’m here!

7. What do you think it is that makes coaching with BBB different?

I literally cannot pin-point one thing, it’s everything for me.. You don’t just get a gym at BBB or a ‘membership’ it’s the whole package! You get amazing coaches that check in with you, have your back through everything, want you to succeed, an amazing group of women that will surround you and cheer on your goals as you reach them, help with nutrition, offer group events and workshops, the opportunity to push yourself further every day. Absolutely no comparison to any other gym.


8. What do you now see as possible in the future?

If I put my mind to it and believe in myself, anything is possible!


9. What advice would you give to girls who are new to strength training?

You’ve taken the best step for yourself by just being here – you have nothing to lose so give it your all! You’ll be greeted with welcomes and hugs but never any judgements, listen to your coaches and take in as much information as you can, be open to the idea of learning and trying new things & just be yourself. Blood, sweat & tears, be prepared to feel f**king amazing 😊


10. Were there any things that you had heard about strength training that held you back?

Not at all, to be honest – I didn’t even realise there was strength training gyms so close-by, or that gyms specifically for strength training for women even existed. The thought of training with men was always one thing I found really daunting or intimidating and held me back in general. You always hear people say “cardio is best for fat loss” or “lifting weights will make you bulky” which is frustrating for the people that do believe myths like this, it’s so so wrong and there are so many benefits to strength training that people don’t know about.