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Member Success Story

Julie Hooper

If ever there were a member story to hit you right in the feels then this is it! This is the incredible true story of one of our amazing PARC members Julie Hooper, written to us herself… ‘On the 5th July 2017, I left for work like any other day on my bike. At about 8:30am, I got crushed side on by a 30 tonne sweeper truck. I saw my ribs and clavicle come up in front of my eyes, heard lots of bone crushing and a loud crack that was my pelvis breaking in 4.   Eight days later I woke up in ICU from an induced coma with a body I didn’t recognise. The injuries I sustained were 17 broken ribs, fractures, displacement and broken pieces in the thoracic, lumbar vertebrae, clavicle and pelvis, a large muscle tear in my left quadricep, 2 collapsed lungs where one was punctured, bruising to the heart, head injuries and bleeds in both retinas and extensive nerve damage.  The paramedics who visited me were amazed that I was still alive – they nearly lost me en route. They were traumatized as they couldn’t believe that my body was the way it was – there wasn’t anything in my body where it should be!   The accident has significantly changed my life. I had once been an elite cyclist winning Welsh and British titles and numerous tours, I had also run for Australia at the World 100km Ultramarathon Championships. For 4 months of my recovery I was in a wheelchair in hospital and only able to use my right arm. I have permanent nerve damage which has left me with a limp and no longer can run, hop or skip. There’s no sensation in my toes, back of leg or my butt cheek, a loss of feeling in both sides of my chest and constant chronic pain all over my body. My balance on right side isn’t that good either.  My life is full of appreciation now and I put more thought in my day on how I do everyday life activities, as it takes so much longer to do things now. It’s very frustrating when I lose balance, fall over and even just the inability to put on a sock makes me look at things that I once took for granted like shopping, cleaning, walking, jumping or just getting out of a chair – getting a good night sleep and being pain free especially. But these are small prices to pay to still be here with my loved ones and friends. I have been overwhelmed by messages of support a love from people all over the world – it’s like having a snapshot of your funeral!  My rehabilitation is a mixture of strength, cardio and hydro. I wish to get back to as much of the athlete I used to be. I ride 100km every day on my bike but a much slower pace. This is what gets me through the day and helps me with my pain management.   I was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress disorder and my psychologist Sue from Personal Best Psychology works on that with me. The guidance of my Personal Trainer Chris Rich and group cycle instructors Louise and Pru have all helped me to be able to box again, leg press, do pull-ups and gain muscle.   Things I thought were impossible are possible with a few modifications, and I now have confidence and self-belief. You just have to believe it. Believe in yourself and have a strength the survive, ignore the pain and just keep trying.   Every morning I say, “Pick yourself up, dust it off, start all over again and never say never”. I will be going in for my 14th surgery late December and 60th X ray to remove a plate and 6 screws in my seat bone which will hopefully get me back in the New year to sprint classes with the inspirational Louise and Pru’s awesome cycle classes. I am hoping to work again with the very knowledgeable, motivating and professional Chris Rich with PT as well. PARC has an amazing team and amazing facilities.’ Since Julie sent her story to us, her 14th surgery in December was a success. She is currently waiting to see if she can be classified as a para-cyclist due to her nerve damage. Her goal is to enter selection for the Australian para-cycling team, and ride in the Tokyo Olympics, 2020, and Commonwealth Games in 2022.  
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It’s the last week of our 30-20-2 Movement Challenge!

It’s been so amazing to see so many members of our PARC Fam take on the challenge over the last four weeks! If you completed the AMRAP in Week 1, make sure to do it again this week and record your results to get an extra entry into the prize draw.

Keep moving, and good luck 🥳

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Open post by parcfrankston with ID 17943128583039825
It’s the last week of our 30-20-2 Movement Challenge! It’s been so amazing to see so many members of our PARC Fam take on the challenge over the last four weeks! If you completed the AMRAP in Week 1, make sure to do it again this week and record your results to get an extra entry into the prize draw. Keep moving, and good luck 🥳

Introducing our new 30-20-2 digital hub!

We are excited to share our digital hub and help you to build more movement into your daily life. Filled with practical tools, our digital hub supports you to understand our weekly activity formula of 30‑20‑2.

We are making activity more fun, social, accessible and enjoyable, no matter your age, ability or starting point.

To support you in moving more, we have put together helpful tools:

✅ Resources to help explain the basics
✅ Tips to help you increase your movement
✅ Workouts you can do anywhere
✅ Listing of local organisations and places you can get active and connect with others

You don’t need to overhaul your life. Every bit counts. Being healthier physically and mentally is simple with 30-20-2.

Check out our hub via the link in our bio.

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Open post by parcfrankston with ID 18364285912228763
Introducing our new 30-20-2 digital hub! We are excited to share our digital hub and help you to build more movement into your daily life. Filled with practical tools, our digital hub supports you to understand our weekly activity formula of 30‑20‑2. We are making activity more fun, social, accessible and enjoyable, no matter your age, ability or starting point. To support you in moving more, we have put together helpful tools: ✅ Resources to help explain the basics ✅ Tips to help you increase your movement ✅ Workouts you can do anywhere ✅ Listing of local organisations and places you can get active and connect with others You don’t need to overhaul your life. Every bit counts. Being healthier physically and mentally is simple with 30-20-2. Check out our hub via the link in our bio.

On the home stretch! 🥳

It`s the last week of our 30-20-2 Movement Challenge. Make sure you get your final stamps, and for an extra entry in the draw, complete the AMRAP Challenge and record your results with a member of our Gym team 🤩

Good luck!

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Open post by parcfrankston with ID 17890104519378050
On the home stretch! 🥳 It's the last week of our 30-20-2 Movement Challenge. Make sure you get your final stamps, and for an extra entry in the draw, complete the AMRAP Challenge and record your results with a member of our Gym team 🤩 Good luck!

Get your stamps! ✅

The weather this weekend is looking like a little gloomy, so come on down to PARC to warm up, get in your 30-20-2 and collect your stamps!

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Open post by parcfrankston with ID 17884689975416481
Get your stamps! ✅ The weather this weekend is looking like a little gloomy, so come on down to PARC to warm up, get in your 30-20-2 and collect your stamps!

It`s Aquatic Awareness Week!

This week, our PARC Swim members have been learning lifesaving, water safety skills to continue building their confidence in and around water. Here`s a snippet of some of the things they have been learning about this week:

🐠 Water safety around the home
🐟 Water safety in alternate waterways such as rivers and lakes
🐡 Experience swimming in realistic situations outside of class (wearing PJ`s and no goggles!)

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Open post by parcfrankston with ID 17943648960207220
It's Aquatic Awareness Week! This week, our PARC Swim members have been learning lifesaving, water safety skills to continue building their confidence in and around water. Here's a snippet of some of the things they have been learning about this week: 🐠 Water safety around the home 🐟 Water safety in alternate waterways such as rivers and lakes 🐡 Experience swimming in realistic situations outside of class (wearing PJ's and no goggles!)
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