By Abbey Cannan
While overcoming injuries that left her struggling to walk, sleep, and battling depression, a Doonan mother found her saviour in body building.
Personal trainer (PT) Sharon Baker has a message for other women trying to find their strength to stay motivated.
“I think it’s important for women to know, life’s not over just because you’re over 40,“ she said.
At 48, the mother of three pushed herself out of injury and depression to reach her goal of becoming a Pro Angel and Sports Model within the International Natural Bodybuilding Association (INBA)/ Professional Natural Bodybuilding Association (PNBA) Australia.
Starting out as a cardio queen competing in triathlons and even representing Australia in duathlons, Sharon eventually ‘wore out a few limbs’, leaving her struggling to walk for six months.
“I wore out the cartilage on my left hip and there was a period there where I was trying to sleep on my hands and knees because I couldn’t lay on my back or either side,“ she said.
“It was a really hard time. It was the first time I’d stood at where people were with depression. I kind of look at it as a bit of a learning curve as a personal trainer to understand what it’s like on the other side.
“I was very angry and depressed when I couldn’t run. It felt like my whole life had been changed and been taken away from me.
“There were a couple of occasions when I ended up in emergency ward after my back went into spasm. My husband drove me to the hospital but then they couldn’t get me out of the car because the spasms were too intense.
“I remember just crying and begging them to knock me out and put me to sleep because no one should have to go through that pain.“
As a PT for 11 years, Sharon had always done strength training, ironically for injury prevention from sport.
“Having been a very competitive athlete my entire life, and being depressed, I was then doing my own rehab for my back with strength training,“ she said.
This led to an interest in body building, which gave her something to strive for.
“I started four years ago, and pulled top three every time I went on stage,“ Sharon said.
“It literally saved me physically and mentally. I’ve got my back really good now, but I’m always mindful of my training and tend to get a bit of nerve pain in my ankles. I’ve learnt to manage it, particularly with ice baths.
“Last year, when I stepped off stage I set myself a goal of trying to get my Pro Card in Angel and Sports Model, thinking at 48 that was going to be a bit of a push.“
Letting go of any doubt, Sharon went on to win first place in Angel, Swimsuit, Sports Model 40 plus, and the overall title of Sports Model.
Competing again in a different category three weeks later, she reached her goal and was awarded her Pro Card.
“For a lot of women, they get to our age and they sort of go, I can’t lose weight, I’ve tried everything,“ Sharon said.
“When you have the right tools and information and start tracking properly, it’s possible.
“I hope this maybe encourages someone to get up and start looking after themselves, particularly women and mothers, because they are thought to be selfish if they say ‘no I can’t do that, I need to go and exercise’.
“But how is a mother supposed to look after her family if she doesn’t look after herself?
“Mums are just constantly giving to everyone, but they need to stop feeling guilty about spending an hour to themselves. Even if it’s just a walk and getting out in nature to clear your head.
“Find an activity you love, get a friend to join you to hold yourself accountable, and just get moving.“
