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Healthy Hangouts: 5 Minutes with Sally Fitzgibbons

As one of Australia’s most inspirational and successful females, Sally Fitzgibbons knows how to ride a wave. She's a pro surfer, doing she loves and working hard everyday to achieve her goals. Showing us what success looks like and inspiring others to realise their potential and chase their dreams, I just had to hang with her. 


Q&A

1. HOW DID YOUR JOURNEY TO BECOMING A PRO SURFER BEGIN?

From the age of 8 I knew I wanted to become a professional athlete. I was already playing a lot of different sports and absolutely loving it. I thought to myself, I want to do this when I grow up, I’m going to be an Olympic gold medalist or a World Champion at my chosen sport.

One of the challenges that I had to overcome was having to turn my focus to just one sport in my late teens. I really loved soccer, touch football, athletics, cross country running and surfing and was representing at a high level in all of them. It was really tough to have to leave my team based sports behind in order to follow my chosen path of surfing. I could see my pathway to the top in surfing and put everything into my dream of becoming World Champion.

The moment I thought I can do this - I can become a professional athlete was when I entered in an event called the Billabong Easter Classic on the Sunshine Coast. I entered in every event for practise and the opportunity to surf against an international field, so I signed up for the World Qualifying Series, Pro Junior, U18s, U16s & U14s. I just went for it surfing my hardest no matter who was in my heat. I had an amazing weekend, coming 2nd in the WQS and Winning the Pro Junior, 18s, 16s &14s. My eyes lit up and I thought I could get bigger and stronger and go after this dream of becoming a professional surfer and becoming World Champion.

2. WHO OR WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

I have so many different inspirations. I'm inspired by other athletes at the top of their game and I enjoy going on the roller coaster sporting journey with them by watching their amazing performances. I was really inspired by some of the older generation runners, in particular John Landy. He exemplified the meaning of hard work, determination and wore his heart on his sleeve. He was a brilliant athlete.

3. YOUR DAY ON A PLATE?

My day on the plate is pretty basic; I fuel up on eggs with avocado for breakfast, I then snack on a variety of different fruits, veggies, nuts and seeds and finish my day with a different protein each night with veggies. I think keeping your food simple and in its natural form is the way to go. Give your food a little thought and love and it will love you back. It's all about having a balanced diet and everything in moderation. I'll have a Red Bull to help me push through jet lag, media days and when I get worn out on the road travelling.

4: FAVOURITE WAY TO GET MOVING?

My favourite way to get moving would be any activities and training that I do in the ocean. It's where I feel most at home whether I'm surfing, paddle boarding or body surfing, I love the feeling of being one with the ocean.

5. THREE THINGS YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT

  1. My surfboards
  2. My runners
  3. My fit ball

6. YOUR SECRET VICE

Watching so many sporting events in all codes either live or on TV. I'm a sports fanatic!

7. TOP SONG ON YOUR PLAYLIST

Lean On by Major Lazer & DJ Snake (feat. MØ)

8. YOUR MANTRA

Live your passion and never ever give up!

 

YOUR FAVOURITE RECIPE

(Click to view)

Healthy hangouts with Sally Fitzgibbons Recipe


Signature

Need more hang time with Sal? Head right here: Website | Instagram |  Twitter | Facebook

 

Sally O'Neil - Editor in Chief

Sal is on a mission to prove that healthy and nutritious doesn’t have to be boring – and that even while staying in shape you can have your cake and eat it too. After losing 14kg from adopting a healthier lifestyle, she shares her journey with others on The Fit Foodie Blog. She also works as a commercial food photographer and stylist, is studying a Bachelor of Health Science in Nutrition and Dietetics, and is the author of two cookbooks: Love Move Eat (Bauer Media, 2017) and Meal Prep Plan (Murdoch, 2019).

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