From uncertainty to empowerment: How Ebony found her fit in fitness

Ebony, studying at Chisholm has been a turning point. The hands-on courses, practical pathways, and personalised support have given her the clarity and confidence she had been searching for. After trying university and working in early childhood education and child protection, Ebony realised those paths didn’t quite fit. What made the difference was returning to Chisholm, where learning felt personal and empowering. “I’ve studied at Chisholm before,” she explains. “The one-on-one support made a huge difference. Everything just made sense.”

That clarity led her to a Certificate III in Fitness, which she completed recently. Now, she’s a few weeks into her Certificate IV in Fitness and thriving. “I always knew I wanted to do cert IV,” Ebony explains. “It gives me more options like working one-on-one with clients and even offering online programs.” The difference between the two levels is simple but powerful: certificate III qualifies you to run group classes, while certificate IV opens the door to personal training and tailored fitness plans.

Her motivation is steady, even when her alarm goes off at 4:30am . “It’s even worse when my partner’s still in bed when I get home at 7:30am,” she laughs. That drive helped her land a role at Lioness Performance, a women-only gym that champions female empowerment. “I hadn’t even trained there yet,” she says. “But I loved what they were about on social media, so I emailed them. A few sessions later, they offered me a trial.”

What drew Ebony to Lioness was its strong feminist energy. “There’s a lot of stigma around female gyms, people think they’re judgmental or negative,” she explains. “But Lioness is the opposite. It’s a safe space where women surprise themselves every day. I had a client leg press 100 kilos who never thought she could. The smile on her face said it all.” For Ebony, creating that kind of environment is everything. “Everyone cheers each other on, whether they’re lifting the heaviest or the lightest weights.”

Her advice to anyone considering fitness or Chisholm? “Just do it. What’s the worst that could happen? If it’s not for you, that’s okay. But if you’re even thinking about it, chances are you’ll love it.” She adds, “If you complete your certificate in fitness, it allows you to eventually choose your hours, your workplace, and do what you love every day.”

Ebony’s story is proof that you don’t have to stay stuck. “If you’re not happy, change it,” she says. And with Chisholm’s support behind her, Ebony is doing just that, building a future that’s strong, flexible, and entirely her own.