By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
TROY Hawkins has never forgotten when someone told him he’d never be a personal trainer.
Born with Spina Bifida, a degenerative spinal condition, 26-year-old Troy has a hole in his lower back which severed his nerves, making him very weak in his lower back and legs.
When Troy spoke to someone about completing a Certficate III in Fitness, they told him he wouldn’t be physically capable.
But Troy, from Cranbourne, bottled that comment and used it as motivation.
After five years working in the field Troy has recently taken a role as a personal trainer at Casey ARC in Narre Warren.
He’s come a long way.
“He said I was physically incapable of doing the course, and having someone say something like that really hurts you,” Troy said.
“I was extremely devastated, I was with my Dad at the time and I remember it, I bawled my eyes out for two hours.
“But Dad gave me that encouragement, my Dad and my Mum, they encouraged me to do as much as I could and that helped me develop the right mindset and right work ethic.”
Troy cites his parents, Roland and Tracey, as two of the biggest inspirations in his life.
After enduring 18 surgeries so far in his life, Troy has remained determined and continues to chase his dream.
While he relies on crutches and a wheelchair, he has never been deterred from becoming a personal trainer.
“I’ve always been interested in the sport field, and I’ve always wanted to do what everyone else was doing,” Troy said.
“I’ve always wanted to push those boundaries.”
He also credits Casey ARC with giving him another fresh outlook on things.
“Basically I found I needed a change from what I was doing previously,” he said of his new position at Casey ARC.
“I saw the advert online and went through the interview process … they gave me the job within a few weeks.
“Working there has been really good; it’s just a great environment.”
