I interviewed 5EW member Peggy in July 2019.

Peggy is a familiar face around the gym and I was curious about her seemingly indefatigable motivation and persistence.

G’DAY, PEG. WHY DID YOU COME TO 5EW?

I wanted solutions to my gut issues. I had no energy, was dizzy, and couldn’t even train. I tried everything: antibiotics, a colonoscopy, a fecal transplant, low FODMAP diets, among others. I followed everything to a T. I always felt good for a while, but then my energy would disappear. I couldn’t train. I was at rock bottom. That’s when Phillip Calcagno, another 5EW member and my hairdresser at the time, suggested I see David O’Brien.

After my initial blood analysis, Dave told me I couldn’t train… at all. He suspected adrenal fatigue, and the blood analysis confirmed that. I had the bloodwork of someone with autoimmune disease or cancer. That’s what Dave said to me. Then I did a stool test. I didn’t have SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) or candida, but I had bad negative gram bacteria. I went on a gut protocol and walking was the extent of my training. That was all I was allowed to do.

WHAT SORT OF TRAINING WHERE YOU DOING BEFORE?

Spin classes 3-4 times a week, Pilates, HIIT training, and boxing. All cardio and lots of it

AND HOW HAVE YOU CHANGED YOUR APPROACH TO FOOD?

Way more variety! I was pretty much a salmon, chicken and beef person, and now I have everything. I also eat a lot more of it, a lot more calories in general. Not only do I have butter and coconut oil, but now I have ghee, walnut oil, macadamia oil. A lot more fat.

WHAT’S THE BIGGEST THING YOU’VE LEARNED TRAINING WITH NICOLE (PEGGY’S COACH)?

My body’s capable of a lot more than I realised! I’ve seen how low incremental changes can build a solid foundation. I was a go hard or go home person. But now I’m all about patience, trusting the process, and rest. She’s taught me how to engage when I lift, the importance of technique, how to do it slow.

WHAT’S THE BIGGEST THING YOU’VE LEARNED WORKING WITH DAVE (PEGGY’S ASSESSOR)?

I wasn’t eating enough. When you’re stressed you need more calories, and I never trusted that before. He taught me how to nutritionally support my body through stress. He taught me about inflammation and how to lower it, which has had a huge impact on my life. My mood is more stable, I can walk without pain, and no energy slumps.

Again, like Nicole, he’s taught me about patience. Fixing the gut is a life-long journey. You don’t just do a protocol and you’re fixed. All the marketing around pre and probiotics is misleading – you can really overdose on that stuff. Dave taught me, with kimchi, it’s a teaspoon – I was having half a plate! Oh, and caffeine’s bad, apparently.

WHAT’S BEEN YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT AT 5EW?

Squatting with a barbell, for sure. I couldn’t even squat down before with just my bodyweight, and now I can, with weight! I can drop it like it’s hot. Also, a handstand, hanging upside down on the rings, I could probably go on…

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE LOOK LIKE?

More muscle, more energy, vitality, and longevity – that’s what I’m here for.

ANY ADVICE FOR PEOPLE WHO MIGHT BE IN YOUR SITUATION?

Food! You have to fix it. If you don’t, all that hard work in the gym even with the assistance of your personal trainer is going to mean nothing.

And patience! This isn’t a six-week or twelve-week thing. All that marketing is misleading. Fitness is actually a long slow journey, building foundations and habits. It has to be a holistic approach, and you have to be kind to yourself.