10 Questions: Corinne Austin, full charge ahead

Corinne Austin

It's all go for Whangarei fitness specialist Corinne Austin, who starts work at 5am, but as she says "if it doesn't make you happy, don't do it". The 34-year-old mother of two has been nominated for the Exercise Industry Awards 2015 People's Choice.

1. Describe yourself in three words.

Passionate. Optimistic. Devoted.

2. What is the most important advice you have ever been given?

If it doesn't make you happy don't do it.

3. When it's been a full-on week, what is your favourite way to unwind?

I love a soak in a hot Epsom salt bath followed by healthy take-aways, a night on the couch, a sweet treat of some description and a rejuvenating deep tissue massage.

4. What is the one thing you could not live without each day?

My husband and two girls.

5. Describe a typical Monday morning.

Alarm goes at 4am. Four one-hour PT sessions from 5am, take Fit Mums sessions from 9.30am. Home at 11am. Three hours of working on the business, my own workout until school pick-up time at 2.20pm.

6. Describe your role and what you love about it?

I used to call myself a personal trainer but that no longer encapsulates all of what I do. A friend suggested I call myself a fitness specialist. I specialise in all things fitness - on a mental and physical level.

7. Do you have any party tricks?

I make an awesome chimpanzee face. Other than that if there's a dare at a party I'll give it my best shot.

8. Do you have a nickname and, if so, what's the story behind it?

Rin - a derivative of my name. Husband and a close friend or two call me "Chub" or "Chubby" - because I've always been the complete opposite.

9. Tell us something that most people don't know about you.

I love lollies. Especially gummy lollies like Natural Confectionery. If there's a bag in the fridge they're gone within an hour. Thankfully, this has become a rare occurrence.

10. As a child, who or what did you want to be when you grew up? And why?

I wanted to be an accountant - because I always loved maths and accountants were rich. Truth be known, when I was finally at tertiary age, I attended one day of the Bachelor of Business course at AUT in Auckland and knew then that was not what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. As it turns out I now coach people about their greatest wealth - their health.