Grace Shelmerdine is an online transformation coach and mentor.  In 2014 she finished in second place for the World Bikini athlete and yet she still manages to eat chocolate and ice-cream everyday!  Yes, EVERYDAY!!!!

She is a mum to the gorgeous little man Chase and her new bubba girl Poppy!

We love Grace as she is not only an Adelaide girl (where we grew up) but also because of her natural and realistic approach as a coach.  Her focus is on transforming the mind, lifestyle and daily habits to achieve balance and feel great in your own skin.

She shares her heath tips, recipes, training advice, and snippets of her life as a mum across @grace_powerfit.  

We hope you love this one on one with Grace!

Tell us about @grace_powerfit; what drove you to start it?

My first career was as a hairdresser! I worked for 9 years as a full-time hairdresser and even managed a hair salon for the final few years of my career. I unfortunately wound up with a repetitive strain injury and had to find an entirely new job! So, fitness, health and a NEW path in which I could still being support women and make them FEEL GREAT about themselves it was!

My PowerFit by Grace business is my honestly, absolute DREAM JOB! I live and breath it and could not imagine myself in any other role! How lucky am I!!

I began my Personal training business pre-children, when I was 22. Post kids I expanded my knowledge and broadened my services. Developing the online mentoring aspect. I am INCREDIBLY passionate about helping women to find their “happy” within themselves and to nurture women to feel comfortable in their own skin.

What is your greatest success story from your coaching?

HONESTLY, every single one of my clients! Weather they are losing that little bit of bodyfat for their wedding dress, recovering from a bad relationship with food, finding their feet again post baby as a brand new mum, prepping for a bodybuilding competition, losing 30+ kilos, gaining weight and building strength, reverse dieting after long periods of restriction or even just those striving for an overall fitter and healthier lifestyle, they are ALL incredible and inspire the heck out of me! I have a client who is in her 50’s and is a cancer survivor (prior to our coaching period) it is so rewarding supporting her as she lives her best life! We have numerous clients who have lost over 10-15kg which in itself really can be lifechanging. I have two clients who have competed and won their way all the way to the bodybuilding world championships, and one whom won! Yep, the world champion -my client! So, so much success across the board that I really cannot choose one 😊

How has motherhood changed you?

Wow, such good questions! A: In so many ways! I have changed completely. My relationship with myself and my respect for my body, this would have to be the biggest change. I used to be terrified to wear a bikini to the beach, which I think is a mind game that FAR too many women face. Now, post baby x 2 I am so content within myself and much more body-confident. I have such a respect and appreciate for my body. I want to help other mums find their confidence.

What are the greatest lessons motherhood has taught you? 

A love like absolutely no other (aww warm fuzzies!)

Patience, patience and more patience.

What piece of advice would you like to share with other Mums about motherhood?

To relax and enjoy every moment. I would say I am a fairly “casual” mum. I just go with the flow and take each moment at it comes. When there are sleepless nights and CRAZY toddler tantrums (they’re insane lately!) I just remind myself that they don’t last long, and they wont last forever. One day I might get to sleep a full night’s sleep again (there is hope) and my toddler wont always want to bite me ha ha ha

What is the most challenging aspect about motherhood for you?

“Me time” -hang on, what is that again?

What drives you to maintain a healthy lifestyle for yourself and your family?

Happiness! I know how much better I FEEL when I treat my body well. With balanced nutrition and regular movement, so I want the same for my hubby, and of course for my kids!

How do you find balance in your life with your family, fitness, blogging and work each week? Can you share any tips?

I do my very best to focus on just one thing at a time. So, if I am working, I try to focus on solely work. If I have the kids, I out my emails aside and give them all of me.

What is your favourite PONO product and recipe?

I love all of the PONO products.

I love drinking the Lychee probiotic tummy tonic with chilled soda water in the summertime!

The Red PONO prebiotic powder is delicious on its own with water first thing in the morning. (Chase my toddler LOVES this one too! He asks for it most days ha ha!)

 And my daily smoothie ALWAYS has a serve of the Coconut probiotic powder in it.

Fave smoothie recipe is SO basic:

-1 scoop PONO coconut probiotic +

-1 scoop protein powder

-100gr frozen berries

And coconut water or simple, tap water!

DELICIOUS!!