If you missed Parts 1 and 2 you can access them here:

Mandy’s Personal “Not Your Usual” Transformation Story!
and
Part 2: Mandy’s “Not Your Usual” Fitness Story!

I felt lucky and absolutely honored to be training my online clients. And considering all my personal trainer colleagues (and just about everyone else I knew) told me I was stupid saying…

“no one will ever want to do online personal training!”

It proved to me that I can go out on my own and do what I’m passionate about.

For the most part I was writing my online members programs from absolute scratch – no automated workouts via software etc. If it took me staying up for three days straight with no sleep researching and writing I’d get members programs designed. I really wanted to see my clients progress, succeed and be passionate about their fitness lifestyle. I cared for my members, like they were my relatives.

I tried to hire other personal trainers that I met online, and offline, but they said they had no interest as there was too much work involved. They didn’t want to create, from scratch, customized programs. They wanted it automated so all they just had to change was a few reps or sets etc. Which wasn’t what VFT was about. So I continued on my own for 5 years, determined, that my clients would get the best I could offer them.

During this time, my hubby and I moved house and adopted two Labradors into our household.

After losing “Girly” several years before hand, it was a big deal for me to bring another dog into my life. I was terrified of losing another pet. I didn’t think I could go through it again. If you’re an animal lover like me, and treat your pets like they’re your kids, you’ll understand what I mean. After meeting “Arnie” (our big yellow Labrador) and then Louie (our little black Labrador) we immediately fell in love with both of them. Still are!

My hubby and I were excited about all the wonderful things life would bring and what the future would hold for us…

But I guess that wasn’t meant to be…

We all started getting sick: myself, my hubby and our Labradors.

We had no idea what was wrong. Even though I was doing long hours, I would still train regularly and kept fairly lean and in pretty good shape. But I started having days where I felt like I couldn’t breath. I had chest x-rays, all the run-of-the-mill blood tests etc – the doctors couldn’t figure out what was wrong. It was a struggle to get to the letterbox on some days.

Our Labrador “Arnie” was having 1000’s of dollars of treatment for lung / inhalant allergy issues and no one could pin point why. His fur was falling out, he had lesions. It was the most serious case of allergies the Vets had ever seen. All of us were falling apart at the seams. My poor hubby, I’d never see him so ill! And our other Labrador “Louie” was experiencing severe skin allergies. And shortly after had a massive tumor removed – that was caused, according to the vets, by environmental conditions.

My precious hubby and pets… what the heck was going on?

It got to the point where I could no longer continue with VFT’s online membership site. I didn’t want to close it, but I had no one who could take over or who could come on board and offer the attention to my clients that they needed, while I was having bouts of illness and needed to look after my family.

I burst into tears telling my clients. I still remember it like it was yesterday. We had created our own little community over 5 years. Even though I had never met them in person I felt like we’d been friends for decades.

I cared about their fitness goals, their non-fitness goals, their family’s and pets and outside interests. And was worried about them beyond VFT. I had to wind it down. It was truly heartbreaking for me to have to shut shop on VFT’s Members Club. Even now, years later, I still value and think of my much-loved members. It truly was an honour to train them.

We’d been experiencing a shocking odour for a quite a while in our suburb.

It would come in bouts. We never knew what it was or where it came from. In summer it would pour in through our evaporative air conditioners and the doors and windows we had open. Even in winter, with doors closed and the house locked up, it would seep in. It would keep us up at night for days on end. The local councils / shires didn’t seem concerned about it so we never put two and two together at the time.

No one could seem to give us any answers.

It started getting so bad that residents in a 5 km area (3.11 miles) were complaining.

Eventually we received letter box drops from a facility that had been built 500 metres (1600 feet) from our home – that we didn’t even know existed…

…that their roller door had broken. We knew it had to be more than just a broken roller door issue.

We started taking note of when we were getting ill and “smack! dead on!” each time we got sick it coincided with these emissions.

It was a waste facility. Processing household rubbish that folk were getting rid of including old cleaning products, paint tins, batteries, old chemicals… and whatever else folk throw into their garbage. Unfortunately for us, the facility was spewing out emissions over three and more suburbs.

Eventually a public meeting was called by owners of the facility.

They had no interest in listening to our concerns. In fact, they spent most of the time telling us how wonderful this dodgy facility was. And told us that there would always be odourous emissions (as it wasn’t possible for it to have no odourous emissions). And it was our own fault because it was our waste. Which isn’t entirely correct. It was actually 5 councils / shires worth of waste. (Around 1 million bins being processed regularly right behind our homes by this faulty facility!) Plus large business’s waste was also going into it.

The technology had failed overseas, leaving residents in the US and other places in the same situation.

After that meeting we discovered that others (babies, children, teens, adults, elderly folk) were complaining they were also experiencing the following when being exposed to the facility’s emissions:

• Blood noses
• Extreme chest pain when breathing
• Elevated heart rate
• Dizzy spells
• Severe migraines and headaches
• Rashes under our eyes and on our faces along with eyelids peeling
• Skin burning on our face and peeling
• Eyes and nose burning and running
• Coughing, choking and gagging
• Feeling nauseous
• Sore glands on the sides of the neck

People’s pets were also suffering including gagging, coughing, runny eyes, terrible skin and inhalant allergies and cancer.

Family’s were forcibly exposed to these emissions pouring into their homes, backyards and streets day and night. With most residents having no where else to go, or stay, to get away from it.

We couldn’t believe what we were hearing!

Residents formed a community group. But like all community groups, folk start getting too busy (or just make excuses) to participate. Sure we had 100’s and 100’s of folk complaining, but hardly any of them wanted to jump in and get their feet wet. Anyway, by default, a handful of us ended up taking on this issue. With our place copping this emissions almost daily, and my hubby and dogs being so ill from it – I felt I had to defend my family.

To be honest, I figured the State and Local Government would shut the facility down or stop them… you’ll find out why they haven’t in a moment…

Who in their right mind would allow this to continue?

I had never been involved with any issues like this before. So I had no idea where to even start when it came to research and regulations and so forth.

I couldn’t understand most of the State and Local Govt documentation. I was “googling” – what seemed like every second word – so I could grasp some kind of understanding of their mumbo jumbo – most of which is exactly that. Lots of B.S. just decorated with long winded words.

The others in our group, luckily knew more than me, but the more we found out about this place, the more we realized we were opening a massive can of worms. It was much bigger than we thought and wasn’t going to be easy.

Basically it consumed our lives. We were copping these emissions on a regular basis, getting sick from it and fighting it as well.

Unfortunately for us, the facility is State and Local Government funded!

No, I’m not joking!

So as you can imagine when there’s politicians involved in something that’s spewing out noxious emissions you can bet they’ll be doing everything in their power to cover their butts and make out that everything’s fine and dandy.

Over the years, the underhandedness, the bullying, the absolute lies, the ongoing abuse of residents at the hands of these emissions, the politicians laughing and poking fun at residents and their children and pets suffering has been shameful.

Supporters and politicians backing the facility – saying disgusting things in the media about the poor residents standing up for this issue – and this is just scratching the surface at what has taken place.

Due to politicians having their fingers in the pie, so to speak, allowing the people who own the facility to police themselves… residents feel more and more defeated with their efforts to defend their home, streets, family’s and pets.

If you’ve ever seen mothers crying for their children’s health…

…explaining that they’re rushing their children to the hospital emergency on a regular basis from these emissions…

…pleading for something to be done – and Politicians just laugh!

It absolutely breaks your heart. And also makes you realise how cruel and nasty politicians, who choose to be ignorant, can be.

We were in touch, and still stay in touch, with Erin Brockovich’s team, GCM and other groups on a regular basis.

We’ve been on TV several times, including an incident after those who are part of the facility (including Local Government politicians) videoed our homes and cars and put them on you tube, joking there was no emissions, scoffing at residents suffering and naming residents who complained about the emissions.

They weren’t disciplined by the authorities for this breach of privacy – which many residents felt quite intimidated by – because those involved with the video are the “authorities”.

Media and reporters have told us they’ve been gagged from talking with us, because those involved with the facility have put pressure on them.

Residents have been and still are frightened to get involved because of the repercussions of doing so.

Govt Dept staff who have tried to take action are no longer contactable and have been moved on or whatever – we don’t know.

Doctors are too scared to speak up because they know they’ll be going up against State and Local Government. They tell residents “we’ll treat your symptoms, but can’t get involved”.

My hubby and I were wanting, and have had to put on hold, starting a family due to the emissions. I had started becoming depressed as I was advised by a doctor specializing in situations like this not to start a family: due to the huge risk of being pregnant while being exposed to the emissions.

I felt frustrated and robbed that my chance to be a Mom (Mum) was being taken away from me.

Deep down I knew the doctor was right. It was too risky. I needed to accept that and just be grateful that my hubby and my two Labradors, that I totally adore and treat like my own children, were surviving this.

We can’t sell our home – because we can get sued…

…because we are aware of the issue affecting our home. Other home owners that sold up (and sold their homes for peanuts, way under market value) to save their children from the constant ill health they were experiencing from the emissions, now live with the concern that they may be held liable for getting out of the area and passing their homes onto other family’s. Who are now in the same situation. Truth is, my hubby and I aren’t comfortable selling our home to someone else anyway – I don’t think we could live with ourselves.

Have you ever felt like you’re trapped in a situation that you can’t get out of – like you’re drowning in it?

I have had points where I’ve felt I’ve been on the verge of a breakdown. I’ve had days where I didn’t want to wake up and face another day, due to being sick of fighting for an issue that’s affecting so many people’s lives. I’ve been hospitalized from the emissions. I started experiencing panic attacks, I had vertigo for 2 years on a regular basis, along with the symptoms you see mentioned at the top of of this email. You won’t believe the illness my hubby and pets have endured.

If you have told me 10 years ago I would’ve been helping spearhead a campaign against a toxic emission pumping 100 million dollar facility…

….That’s funded by our own rates and taxes (yes, that’s right, they’re using residents money to fund this facility) – I would never have believed it.

You’ve heard the saying “what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger”. Well in this case… I’ve had plenty of days where I felt it was going too, and the rest of my family too.

It was one day after reaching absolute breaking point… I decided, that’s it! I can’t do this anymore.

Waking up every day knowing I’m going to be abused by political puppets of this facility via phone, email, while walking the dogs, at the supermarket.

Having residents telling me “do more” or “you’re not doing enough” (even though I’m spending 16 hours a day on it) and they’re not lifting a finger to help…

Residents phoning me all hours of the day and night when they get the emissions, pleading for help, asking me to stop the emissions. All I’m able to do is pass on the pollution response and council numbers to them.

Being attacked in the media over and over, by ignorant politicians, because I’m speaking the truth and representing the residents genuine concerns and suffering – when others are too scared to speak up for themselves.

Plus the negativity of it all, finding out all the underhandedness that’s taken place to keep this facility running. Having politicians taking advantage of this issue and using me in their political games.

It was unbearable.

When you’ve been kicked enough times when you’re down… there comes a time when you think – it’s just too hard to get up and keep fighting. I felt like my spirit was broken.

I didn’t like the person I was becoming – I no longer felt like “Mandy”.

I couldn’t let these dodgy pollies continue to run me into the ground. Because by doing that – they were winning – and I was losing, not just myself but my family were losing me too.

I was tired of spending half my life crying – not just crying – sobbing. Fighting so hard for a cause like this, is exhausting. And as much as I didn’t want to give up, I knew I had to let go in someway and get all our lives back on track.

I’ve learnt a hell of a lot from this!

And even though I wouldn’t like to have to go through it all again….

1. Luckily for me during the years fighting this facility I became a big believer in organic and immune building foods, nutrition and holistic remedies. I took them and gave them to my family religiously – yes dogs included. And swore I that if I could at least keep us on these that it might help us internally to survive this. And considering the state of everyone else and what we’ve all been through. I consider us fortunate that we’re still “here”.

Changing my dogs food alone from the “run of the mill” awful – and often experimental – treatments from the vets to holistic treatment has changed their lives. In fact, when I put “Arnie” onto them everyone thought we’d got a new dog. I’m not kidding! We couldn’t believe it ourselves! He went from being on “his last legs” to running around like a puppy! We were thrilled to bits.

2. Due to my dogs ill health, and our own, I started looking into what went into products that we use every day and how they have been researched and developed. And if you’ve never done this, I’m telling you it will give you nightmares! You’ll never be able to get the images out of your mind!

The horrible, cruel, torture and experimentation that’s performed on animals (on dogs, cats, pigs, mice, rabbits – just to name a few) from products ranging from pet food through to perfumes and make up, cleaning products – you name it – it’s horrific.

Imagine living your whole life being tortured every day for the sake of someone’s lipstick. It led me on a journey of finding out so much more about what we use and purchase in everyday life and how so many animals suffer because of it. Not to mention the horrible chemicals that we bring into our homes and lives on a daily basis – without even realizing it!

For VFT subscribers who know me well, you know how much I love animals. That’s why I’m such a huge supporter and am so passionate about campaigning for the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA).

I also found so many amazing, non-toxic and cruelty free products, that has made such a huge difference in helping us healthwise.

Due to the constant emissions from this facility, most of the toxic chemicals that are often in products that millions of people throw away, we were being exposed to them on much higher level and on a constant basis. Which caused us, and many other family’s, to get severe reactions to them. Before experiencing these emissions, we’d never had allergies before. So we’ve had to learn about this for our own quality of life.

3. Appreciate your health – you never know how long you’ve got it for.

4. That even though it may seem like we’re defeated in this issue – we’re not. Far from it!

Due to our efforts:

• This issue caused a State Election to be lost and a change of Government to come in because of it.
• Our efforts have caused a change of power in councils.
• Two Parliamentary Inquiries took place (I had to speak at one of them – yep, little ol me)
• We’ve caused one of the major funding councils of the toxic pumping facility to withdraw it’s support. Another non-funding participant has pulled out and more are also considering it.
• We set up a website that notifies copious amount of politicians when a resident experiences the emissions – so the owners of the facility can’t “hide” it.
• Council elections are heavily impacted by this issue
• We became qualified to take air samples in accordance with the US EPA Quality Control and Quality Assurance Program
• We got the facility closed down once. (And we’re not giving up on closing it down again)
• Residents complaints caused environmental protection notices to be served on the facility.
• Even though the media aren’t as eager to report on this issue now… it wasn’t always that way. The media impact that we’ve had over the years has been enormous. With 100′s of stories being published about the trouble ridden facility.

I could list so much more! And there’s still more taking place!

5. It’s made me realize I’m a hell of a lot stronger than I thought I was…

Remember, the dodgy politicians at the top of the food chain who are involved in this laughed and thought that we’d just go away and give up if things got too difficult for us.

And these days, even though we’re still copping these emissions, luckily they have reduced slightly, I’m dealing with it in a much saner and much less time consuming manner. If that makes sense. Because I’m determined not to let these politicians and this facility continue to get away with abusing residents as they have been since 2003! I need to be strong for my family (hubby and Labradors).

Having the knowledge and experience in Health and Fitness that I have – as crook as I’ve been – it’s helped me bounce back again. I’m very thankful for that.

It also reminded me…That the fitness industry can be like Politics…

A heck of a lot of it is full of crap and you have to sift through to find the good stuff.

BUT WHEN YOU FIND THE GOOD STUFF – IT’S FANTASTIC!

But if you don’t know the first thing about where to find the actual stuff you need, how on earth can you figure out what’s real and what’s B.S.?

I love my subscribers to bits and want you to achieve absolute awesomeness. I don’t want you or, anyone having, to get caught up in stupid scams.

I want to stand up for you, your fitness goals and aspirations. VFT is what I’m providing for you as a safe place to fall when it comes to fitness advice.

I’ve learnt a lot about myself over the years. And I’m sure reading my story (over the 3 emails / parts) you can see the changes in me.

Feeling empowered because you’re feeling healthy isn’t something that you should ever take for granted. Looking, feeling and being healthy, lean and fit is an amazing feeling. You don’t actually realise how wonderful it is, and truly appreciate it, until it’s ripped out from under you.

Even though, I still have this “facility issue” going on… I’m actually enjoying my life now. It’s not where I planned to be. But you never know where life will take you.

I train regularly, have dedicated myself to my family and VFT and care deeply about the challenges in your life too.

And as much as getting into shape may feel like it’s an uphill battle, I can tell you getting there is just part of the transformation.

Reaching your goals is ABSOLUTELY AWESOME!

I’m here, right by your side, to help you kick butt with your transformation! In fact, VFT has a rockin team of Internationally renowned Fitness Experts and between us we intend to provide you with nothing but fantastic NO BS fitness advice!

Please allow me, and the VFT team, to get to know you better, so we can help you.

I’d love to hear YOUR story, what inspires you, what’s taken place in your life, the challenges and obstacles that you’ve overcome.

I invite you to get involved, comment, share your story and let’s turn your struggling fitness efforts to incredible!

Take care…
Mandy
VirtualFitnessTrainer.com
VFT – NO BS Fitness!

NOTE: for privacy reasons I’ve chosen not to name people, places, facilities, gyms etc… My story is about what I’ve learned and how I’ve grown from these experiences. I truly believe that people can change if they choose too. No one is perfect. I’m certainly not. And as much damage as people do when they’re being selfish (due to their own issues and obstacles in life)… and the adverse affects their behavior has on the people around them. They may be living different lives now, or in the future (hopefully learning from their mistakes)… like we all should do in our own lives.