An inspiring journey from severe illness to a happy healthy woman

Category : Fitness | Written by : Iris Pohl

Would you believe that these two girls are the same person? A few years ago, Sophie escaped death and battled for her existence, today she is happy, fit and healthy. This is her story!

P R O F I L E

Name: Sophie Allen

Profession: Architect turned Influencer Marketer at TRIBE

Residence: Melbourne, Australia

Age: 26

Actual Weight: 57kg

Height: 160cm

• Hey Sophie! You are sharing your health journey on instagram (sophactivelife), tell us about you! What was the turning point that made you decide to make a change?

 

In 2010/2011 I underwent investigatory surgery to see if it had endometriosis. Something happened in the surgery that went unnoticed – my bowel was perforated and I was stitched up and sent home to recover. I rested at home for over a week, in which I couldn’t walk, I was vomiting, my stomach was distended to the point of looking like I was 6 months pregnant and I couldn’t eat. I went back to have my stitches removed and was rushed to emergency surgery. The infection was bad, and if it were left for any longer it would have shut down my organs and I would have died. We were lucky to catch it. For the next month, I spent time in and out of the intensive care unit (ICU) going through countless procedures (lung drainage to clear the built up fluid, nasal gastric tubes to try and reduce the swelling in my stomach, I was being fed through a drip, and couldn’t walk, shower myself or even breathe properly. It was horrific. I had no idea how sick I was, I still thought I’d be going on my trip to Vietnam that I had booked a month earlier. Eventually I started getting better, but the numbers on the charts were indicating otherwise. It was one morning after a lung drainage that uncovered something on a scan that I was told I’d have to go in for more surgery, this time on my lungs. The infection had spread, and I had an empyema on my right lung. This meant more surgery, more tubes hanging out from my body, more meds, more pain, more healing, more trauma. After a month of this I remember feeling envious about people who came in to visit me who were looking so happy and healthy. All I wanted was to feel strong, feel fit and feel healthy. I even asked the nutritionist I was assigned if she could point me in the right direction, but all she said was to eat more, doesn’t matter what. I was shocked. After this experience, I set my sights on getting fit and healthy and taking care of myself.

 

• How long did it take you to get healthy and achieve your actual fitness level and what did you do to achieve it?

 

I went on a bit of a rollercoaster with my weight post-surgery. I got very fit, but what I was doing was unsustainable. It wasn’t until I came across an online fitness program and community that I found something fun, empowering and that actually made me strong and fit like I always wanted! I’m getting stronger and stronger the longer I do this, but I saw the best results in the first 6 months. I lost a lot of fat, leaned up and got strong! I went from doing push-ups on my knees with breaks, to now smashing out all 20 reps on my toes.

• What has changed in your life so far? 

 

My priorities have certainly shifted, I used to be a party girl. Binge drinking and late nights out, feeling sorry for myself the next day and eating McDonalds to console my hangover. Now, health is my number 1 priority. I don’t go out late, I rarely drink, I LOVE planning my food for the week, I LOVE getting active at the gym and finding new ways to sweat. I always wanted to be like this and wondered how so many got to that mentality, but the more I did it, the more I fell in love with that way of being. I feel much more confident and happy like this. It’s also opened me up to more opportunities, helped my mental health, helped any post-surgery pain/ chronic pain I had from surgery and helped my relationships.  

 

• What specific role did diet play in the process? What major changes did you make?

 

I used to eat chocolate by the block (and hey, I still love indulging and sometimes overdo it but that happens a lot less and I have much better control over it now). I used to eat fast food, processed things, easy quick stuff. I considered myself quite knowledgeable about ‘clean’ food and what I should be putting into my body, until I recently had my macros (macronutrients) counted. Turns out, for my goals I wasn’t getting enough protein in my diet. Since making the changes to a 30% carb 35% fat and 35% protein diet, my results have been amazing!

• What does your daily diet look like? 

 

Breakfast: porridge with oats, unsweetened almond milk, peanut butter, low fat Greek yogurt and mixed berries

Snack: Cookie dough protein balls (made with Women’s Best Slim Body Shake Cookies & Cream), almond flour, peanut butter, golden syrup and cacao nibs

Lunch: Baked salmon with Chinese broccoli, zucchini and small portion of quinoa

Snack: Blueberries or a low carb high protein bar

Post workout: Women’s Best Whey vanilla protein shake with almond milk

Dinner: Coconut poached chicken with seasoning, broccoli, asparagus and brown rice, or roasted vegetables (beetroot, sweet potato, pumpkin) with cauliflower rice.

 

• How do you stay motivated? 

 

This is my favorite question because I get asked it so much, and I was one of these people a year ago! I remember seeing all these girls on Instagram getting it done and thinking how do they do it? Why can’t I? Am I just one of those people who will never have the motivation to stick with this? It’s honestly something that comes the more you do it. Every time you’re working out, you’re not just working your muscles, you’re working your brain and training it and strengthening it push beyond your biggest excuses. Sure there are times I couldn’t think of anything worse than getting my workout done, or rolling out of bed at 6am to sweat it out, but I always, always feel better for it mentally and physically. I don’t feel right if I haven’t worked out. Some of my favorite tips and tricks though are: putting my workout gear on! I trick my brain and say “ok we aren’t working out but let’s just put on some workout gear just cause” and 9/10 I’ll just do it! A great playlist always helps. I scheduled everything at the beginning to hold myself accountable. Like an appointment I wouldn’t miss, it gave me a lot of satisfaction sitting at work seeing the workouts I was meant to do and had already done. I love ticking things off! Stalking fitspo babes on Instagram, finding a workout buddy to hold you accountable, starting a fitness and health Instagram account to connect with likeminded women and find that support, and trying new things! A lot of people don’t like working out because it’s hard or boring. Well try spin, try classes, try barre, do yoga, beach sprints, make it interesting so you stick with it!

• Today you have a toned body, what does your workout routine look like?

 

It involves 3 resistance sessions a week focusing on legs, arms and abs as well as some challenges. I do 3 low intensity cardio sessions a week – mostly cycling for 45 minutes and 1 HIIT session a week. More recently I’ve considered getting into lifting, so that will be an addition to what I’m doing now! I also like to keep active on my one rest day each week – whether that’s walking, riding my bike or playing with my dog Benson.

 

• What is your favorite exercise and why? 

 

I love legs! I feel I can always push myself that bit further with legs so I love challenging myself and upping the weights. I can’t go past burpee bench jumps! These things are hectic. You jump up on the bench, jump down, do a push up jump back up and jump on the bench! I also love HIIT because it’s over quickly but you burn heaps of calories and work up a huge sweat.

• Which part of your body do you like most?

 

It’s a toss-up between my stomach and thighs – I always hated my legs, not having a thigh gap and being able to grab so much fat on them! (I wish I could hug a younger me and tell me to love myself no matter what). And I always had issues with my stomach and stomach rolls. But now I’m starting to see some great definition in my abs which excited me and my legs are starting to really lean out. (my booty has also lifted which I love!).

 

• Have you had to deal with any setbacks along the way?  

 

I’ve had to overcome a lot of self-love, confidence issues and insecurities. Putting yourself out there on Instagram can be very difficult. For the most part, everyone is so supportive and encouraging, but there are some negative comments that I let get to me. And it’s very easy to tie your self-worth up in your Instagram – how many likes you get and comments. I don’t know if anyone is immune to this, that’s the reality of the age we live in now. But I try to remind myself that I’m so much more than my Instagram.

• Whats your favorite quote? 

 

Just one?? Haha I love a good quote! These are my favorites:

“As I look back on my life, I realize that every time I thought I was being rejected from something good, I was actually being re-directed to something better”

“In any given moment we have two options: to step forward into growth or step back into safety” Abraham Maslow

“Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will”

I also LOVE the Holstee Manifesto!

 

• What advice would you offer to those just starting to exercise?

 

Document everything!!! On those days you’re doubting your progress, photos can be so encouraging – even though it can be very hard taking them, it’s worth it. I wish I took more! As soon as you see that it’s working it becomes very addictive (in a healthy way). So many days I couldn’t be bothered working out or thought about throwing the towel in and I’d see I actually am making progress despite not seeing it in my everyday life. These saved me from quitting so many times. Also don’t be disheartened if there are things you can’t do, everyone starts as a beginner, and that feeling of being able to do something you once couldn’t is one of the most special feelings I’ve ever had the joy of feeling.

• Is there a special message you want to deliver?

 

I never thought I would be the person I am today, and that my priorities would be this way. It’s something I always wanted for myself, but could never reach it. Never doubt yourself or your ability, if you’re unable to do something now, it doesn’t mean that with practice and determination you won’t be able to do it. Anyone can do this, surround yourself with supportive people who pump you up and believe in you until you believe in yourself. Surprising yourself is one of life’s best gifts! I also want to say that living healthy doesn’t mean I don’t get to eat foods I used to eat that I love, I still eat ice cream, chocolate and donuts, but I work hard and eat clean too so it’s balanced out well.

 

• Who has inspired you in your life and why? 

 

I like to look at everyday people for inspiration. My family, friends, boyfriend, fellow BBG community babes. That’s who inspires me because they’re all so real and honest. Everyone’s just trying to do the best they can, with what they’ve got, and they’re doing it! It’s inspiring. And not just within the health and fitness community, beyond this, anyone who goes through anything they find challenging and finds a way through it, they’re my heroes!

• What are your plans for the future? 

 

There’s some exciting stuff that hasn’t been finalized yet, on the way for me. Aside from that I’d love to move to New York one day with my boyfriend, continue to pursue my passion that is health and fitness and meet as many inspiring likeminded people as I can!

 

• Additional facts about you:

 

My boyfriend competes in triathlons for fun, he’s a hands on guy – he builds everything, for our birthday’s we don’t buy presents – we make them. Last year I made him a floor lamp and he made me a beautiful coffee table. I’m still yet to get him to do an online workout with me because he’s too scared!

We have a dog, Benson a labradoodle who we treat like a human, he’s 10 but he’s just a big puppy at heart.

Doing yoga, surfing, anything involving the beach or water, snowboarding, baking healthy desserts and content creation for my Instagram – I love it! That and helping anyone I can through their own health and fitness journey!

I love to travel, I have lived in Oxford in the UK, British Columbia in Canada where I worked on a ski mountain for 6 months, been to Europe, America, Asia and always make plans to travel! I find it opens the heart and mind!

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Author:

Iris Pohl

Fitness & Nutrition Expert | Licensed Sports Nutritionist | Certified Sports Journalist | TV Presenter

Iris loves encouraging others reaching their fitness goals and starting an active, healthy lifestyle. Her mission is to help women of all ages create a healthier, sexier, stronger, body and mind.


“Start. And keep going."