Inspiration On A Plate: Carly Rowena

Inspiration On A Plate: Carly Rowena

posted onAugust 13, 2015

13 August 2015

When we first met Carly we knew, partly due to her incredible abs, but mainly due to the sheer passion she holds for her work, that we needed to find out more about her health and fitness journey. From maintaining a fabulous career as marketing manager for BMW and MINI, to risking it all by starting afresh and drawing on her ultimate love for fitness, we discover here just how it all began.

CARLY’S DAY ON A PLATE

BREAKFAST

Protein Pancakes, full of protein goodness to start my day and what a way to start it, these look so naughty but are made from Protein powder, oats, 1 egg and coconut milk!

LUNCH

Im usually on the go so try to pop to places like Pret for a protein pot, I usually choose egg or fish to make sure I get my healthy fats and always wash it down with an iced coffee!

DINNER

Halloumi is one of my all-time favourites, chuck in some chicken and a whole host of veggies and it’s the best way to end my day.

SNACKS

I usually make myself smoothies if I’m on the go, or if I have a spare 10 minutes I’ll turn them into smoothie bowls and add some extra toppings!

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SO CARLY, WITH SUCH A FANTASTIC JOB AND UNDOUBTEDLY A LIFESTYLE YOU ENJOYED, AT WHICH POINT DID YOU DECIDE THE FITNESS PATH WAS THE ONE YOU NEEDED TO TAKE?

Although I adored my job, it just wasn’t my passion, I could see the next 30 years in front of me and it didn’t offer the excitement I craved. After a couple months of saving I decided it was worth the risk, sometimes risking it all is what you need to do to get the ball rolling.

DID YOU HAVE A PLAN WITH REGARDS TO HOW YOU WANTED TO BUILD YOUR FOLLOWING, OR DID YOU SIMPLY TRUST THAT THROUGH HARD WORK AND LOVE FOR WHAT YOU DO, THAT WOULD COME NATURALLY?

Looking back I was quite naive, I never thought about how to make it grow, just that I hoped it would. My posts and videos were always based on what was inspiring me at that moment in time and I hoped that in turn they would inspire others, then as my following grew I was able to ask them what they wanted to see and that’s when I feel my relationship with my followers strengthened.

WITH SUCH A LOYAL AND EVER-GROWING FOLLOWING INEVITABLY BEING ONE OF THEM, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY HAVE BEEN SOME OF YOUR MOST PROMINENT HIGHLIGHTS SINCE THE BEGINNING OF YOUR FITNESS CAREER?

My biggest highlight was the day I got to train one of my YouTube subscribers, she was from Rio and made her choice of University by where I live. I couldn’t believe that anyone would make a decision that big based on my videos, training her that summer was one of the most incredible experiences!

YOUR VIDEOS ARE WONDERFULLY INSPIRING (WE LOVE THEM – ESPECIALLY WHEN STEVEN GETS INVOLVED!), BUT WHO INSPIRES YOU?

My followers and clients are my biggest inspirations, I’ve never really followed trends or followed celebrities as I knew that wasn’t a life I wanted. For me, I fall in love and am inspired by people in the real world who work hard but stay true to themselves, my followers are from every area of the world, they go through different hardships and different times but still choose to support my channel and contact me just to say that they kicked but during their workout – I think that’s incredible!

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FOR THE BEST OF US IT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO GET OUT OF BED TO EXERCISE IN THE MORNING AT TIMES, HOWEVER IF YOU’RE TRAINING CLIENTS ALL DAY, WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO GET OUT OF BED AND TRAIN IN THE MORNING?

Believe it or not I used to struggle to get out of bed at 7:30am for my previous job, I was always tired, groggy and I can’t count how many times I wanted to call in sick. Now I work 5:30am – 9:30pm and unless I’m ill my energy levels never falter. I firmly believe that loving what you do gives you unlimited energy, that and NOT living on processed crap. As much as I can, I try to keep my sugar levels at a constant instead of spiking and dropping through the day, and It certainly works for me.

AND WHAT IS YOUR MOST FAVOURITE WAY TO WORK OUT?

In dreamworld, outside, barefoot and next to the ocean. In the real world, on my balcony with Steven trying to trip me over!

YOU HAVE SO MANY DELICIOUS RECIPES (YOUR BOUNTY BALLS LOOK INSANE BTW!!), AND YOUR APPROACH TO THE WAY YOU EAT IS INSPIRINGLY BALANCED, BUT WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS YOUR ULTIMATE GUILTY PLEASURE?

I’m such a sugar junkie, I could live on dessert but I must say as I’ve got more and more into creating my own treats, I tend to crave processed food less, although I could never say no to a rhubarb crumble or peanut butter and chocolate cheesecake.

NOW WE KNOW YOU LOVE TO TRAVEL, AND YOUR TIME IN FIJI AND NEW ZEALAND JUST LOOKED INCREDIBLE (#JEL – WE THINK THAT’S APPROPRIATE!) BUT IF YOU COULD TAKE YOUR FITNESS VENTURES ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, WHERE WOULD THEY BE, AND WHY?

I would love to hire a VW camper van and travel the world training people from outside of my van (watch this space) but my favourite place to go right now would be New Zealand. I fell in love with being able to use my body outside without the need for a gym, it felt incredible using my body for climbing, hiking, swimming, not just forcing it to run on a treadmill inside.

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IF YOU COULD GIVE A PERSON WHO IS HOPING TO CHANGE THEIR CAREER PATH BUT IS UNSURE HOW, WHEN, AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR ONE PIECE OF ADVICE TO THEM ABOUT HOW TO BEGIN?

I would always recommend starting a blog / IG page or YouTube channel, I honestly didn’t realise my passion was fitness, it was just something I did in my spare time. Without my followers I never would have walked this path, sometimes you need others to show you that it’s possible, and that’s what I believe social media does.

SO LET’S JUST SAY YOU’RE ON A DESERT ISLAND.. WHAT THREE THINGS WOULD YOU HAVE TO TAKE WITH YOU, AND WHY?

It’s the worst answer ever but Water, Steven and my Boyfriend, I’m feeling very lucky right now.

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT TO SEE NEXT FROM CARLY ROWENA?

The list is endless, I never know when this bubble is going to burst so I’m trying to make as many positive changes to the world as I can in what ever time I have, but a fitness guide is certainly on its way..!

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