Inspiring People: Leah Franklin, Stadium Stomp

This week’s Inspiring Person is Leah Franklin, a Melbourne nurse who set a weight loss goal and used the Stadium Stomp events to help her get there…



1. Tell us your story:
My name is Leah Franklin, just turned 46 and I am from Melbourne. I am a Registered Nurse and I work in the Aged Care Industry. I am the mother of a 19 year old son.

2. How did you identify the goal/s you wanted to achieve? 
I needed to lose weight, but I struggle with motivation. I decided one of the best ways to ensure that I stay motivated was to set myself goals and challenges that involved a level of competition (I am really competitive!). I also figured that if I was working out anyway, I may as well try and raise money for the Leukaemia Foundation.

3. How did you work towards achieving your goal – did you have a plan and a deadline to achieve your goals? 
My initial goal was to lose 45kg in 12 months (the 12 months was up on the 14th April 2016 – I still have 5 kg to go). I joined a gym and started watching what I ate. I did require surgery to also assist, however the main focus has always been on improving my physical fitness.

4. What was the biggest challenge you encountered along the way? 
One of my biggest challenges has been keeping on track with food and exercise, while working in a job that requires a significant amount of travel / time away from home and generally working really long hours. To combat that issue, I joined a 24 hour gym where I can use any of their gyms across Australia – sometimes I just have to work out at 4am to ensure I get my workouts in.

5. What inspires you and keeps you going when you encounter obstacles? 
The thing that inspires me the most is people that have gone through similar journeys and have hit their goals. There is also a fair amount of pure stubbornness and again that competitive side to me that just won’t give up. It doesn’t always work, but when I do fall off track it’s only for a short time before I get going again.

6. What advice do you have for anyone wanting to achieve a goal? 
Set small goals initially – even if you have a big end goal start with something small. I knew in May last year that this year I wanted to participate in the Stadium Stomp at the MCG. So I began looking at small challenges like colour runs and fun activities. As I got fitter I then committed to completing all 5 Stadium Stomps. I know that I will still be one of the slowest but if I complete all 5 I will of achieved something that 2 years ago would never of been possible.

7. What are the next goals you hope to achieve? 
My next goals are to compete in the Melbourne OXFAM Trailwalker in 2017 and also I would like to do the Kokoda Challenge next year.

What is Stadium Stomp?
A unique, fun event, Stadium Stomp is a stair-climbing challenge that give participants access to some of the largest sporting stadiums in the country. Participants climb up, down and around the stairs within the grandstands, traversing literally thousands of stairs along the way before finishing on the ground itself. 

The events take place the MCG, Adelaide Oval, SCG and The GABBA participants can ‘stomp’, whilst raising money for a nominated charity at the same time.

It is not a competition or a race, but a personal test of stamina and concentration open to all levels of fitness, 12 years and over.

Dates and venues are:
• Adelaide – Adelaide Oval on Sunday 3 July, 2016
• Sydney – SCG on Sunday 17 July, 2016
• Brisbane – The GABBA on Sunday 24 July, 2016

Check out www.stadiumstomp.com.au for more information and to register. 

Read more stories about other inspiring women here…

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