GROWING UP AND MOVING ON
I DECIDED TO MOVE TO THE CITY
WHEN I WAS ABOUT 19, AS I
KNEW RURAL LIFE AND HORSES
JUST WEREN’T FOR ME. Ironically,
this is when I discovered that when
you stop being so physically active – as
I was on the farm – you actually put
on weight. I became very interested in
food and exercise and how it can affect
your body. They say things happen
for a reason and this is definitely what
sparked my interest in health and
fitness! This was my calling.Sandra lived with our parents for the
next few years, and later, together
with her husband Michael, she started
her own notable pony stud farm,
breeding and showing English Riding
ponies and training many champions.
Sandra later moved to England,
where she was the owner/publisher
and editor of a very successful horse
magazine. For the next 10 years, we
didn’t see each other in person often
but of course kept in touch by phone.
We were both so absorbed in ourlives that a few years passed without
actually seeing each other in person.
Sandra later sold her magazine
business and decided to move back to
Australia.SHARING MEMORIES
We h ave s h a r e d
extreme happiness and
laughed until we’ve
cried; at other times
cried in each other’s
arms, such as when
our father passed
away. I actually don’t
know how I would
have coped without
my sister at certain
timesinmylife.She
has always possessed
an inner strength and
determination that
seems to arise just
when I need it.
My sister Sandra
wasalsopartiallyresponsible for me
writing my book. After
working in England
for 10 years – putting
in long hours in an
office and not taking
care of her wellbeing- Sandra came home
and asked me how she
could get back into
shape and improve her
health.AfterImadea
few suggestions, she
said, “Why don’t you
writeabookonallof
this?”
So my dear sister
gave me the extra
motivation to write- which I actually
mention in my
thank you page. She
has always been so
encouraging, and
although she isn’t really
sure if she actually
likes my “muscles”,
is still supportive in
every way. We are both
successful in our own
right but I would say
that Sandra is stronger
mentally and perhaps
it’s safe to say I’m
stronger physically.
Wecatchupquite
often,andstillseethat
gleam in each other’s
- which I actually
eyes when we recall
something from our
childhood days. We
start laughing until
we have tears running
down our faces and
Sandra’s husband will
just scratch his headpick up where we left
off however much time
has passed. I have a
special love for Sandra
and value our deep
friendship. I consider
myself so lucky to have
herinmylife.
wondering what could
possiblybesofunny.
Wecaneasilyspend
anhour on thephone
andjustPHOTO CREDIT:SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
oxygenmag.com.au | JULY/AUG 2015 | 83FITNESS
SISTERS