I have competed in the sport for 17 years

Coming from a background of dance I added aerobics when I was 12 years old.

I started competing in my first year of high school in a trio and pair along with my sister, Dianne McMillan. My sister and I came last place but this did not discourage us. We came back a year later to win.

 

In 1997 I represented New Zealand for the first time at the FISAF World Championships in Sydney, Australia. At just 16 years old competing in the Senior Woman category became the turning point in beginning my International career.

My parents were doubting their decision to let me take this huge step in training and the pressure of representing New Zealand. Constantly in their minds “are we pushy parents, is this the right thing to do?” It was a huge ambition of mine to represent New Zealand and as my sister always said “things happen for a reason, will there be another chance”

 

In 2002 I met Paulo Santos. A Brazilian Aerobic Gymnastics Champion with both National and International tittles. He was based in Japan and the head coach of the current Woman’s World Champion and coach / choreographer of many other International Champions. I will never forget the saying of both my coaches and family “ to be the best, you have to train with the best”. Two years later of travelling back and forth from Japan and New Zealand I reached my goal of becoming the 2004 FIG (Federation of International Gymnastics) Individual Womans WORLD CHAMPION.

 

I had a personal goal of being World Champion more than once and being Champion of the prestigious SUZUKI WORLD CUP and ANAC INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS. Unfortunately another World Championship title eludes me, but I reached my goal of winning two tittles at both SUZUKI and ANAC Championships.

 

The road of an international athlete has not been easy for me, nor should it be, to grow and develop into this role takes accomplishing a multitude of challenges along the way. I wouldn't change a thing. I’d still train on concrete, no space, no money to get to competitions and have to work more hours than I train and all my health challenges too, these things make us work harder to reach our dreams.

 

I have battled with asthma since a young toddler. In a sport where you need all the air you can get this was a struggle for me in normal daily activities, let alone flying around a stage at 160bpm smiling to the front and gasping for every breath facing the back. I have a lung that closes itself when it over produces mucous, making for challenging times. Inconsistent training due to breathing difficulties, battling weight issues because of medications, restriction of medications due to anti-doping regulations sometimes left me thinking this is the sport keeping me alive! When I do not train my health starts to suffer more yet when outsiders see me train under what is considered healthy to me… they wonder how I do it!

 

Training in a minority sport in New Zealand brought a major disadvantage financially to myself and my family. For the past 17 years 90% of my travel and training has been self-funded. Juggling the balance of work and training was a major stress point. However in the back of my mind I knew money alone would not make me a champion, it is the challenges you overcome that propel us to be the greatest.

 

Aerobic Gymnastics has been my life. I often think how different life would be without4 it.it has taught me how to look after my body, the importance of nutrition and how healthy and UN-healthy sport can be. I have sacrificed a lot for my sport and my goals but have had the most amazing experience of travelling to many countries, meeting many new people and friends and generally experiencing the World.

 

I am a very active competitive person, goal motivated and driven. Sport of any kind I believe is a way of life and should be apart of everyone’s no matter how big or small. The way we approach life or business is no different to how athletes approach and reaches goals in sport. Hard work, determination and fighting for what they believe in.

 

A while ago I would have said the highlight of my career was becoming World Champion, but if I honestly think about it I would have the say the highlight was finishing my career. Everything I have worked for and everything I have learnt has shaped me into who I am and made me ready to embark on a new phase in life. 

 

My next goal in life is to is to share my knowledge and experience to help others reach thier potential and live out thier goals and dreams. To help other grow and enjoy the sport as much as I have.