In this week’s FridayFocus we spoke to Zanna Van Dijk, a travel blogger, personal trainer and published author, looking to empower as many people as she can!
Zanna is also the co-founder of the global movement #girlgains, which she’ll tell you more about below, as well as her favourite exercise, favourite past time and how it felt to publish her first book.
1) Who are you, and where do you come from?
I’m Zanna van Dijk. I live in London, but I am originally from Yorkshire. Oh and I am half dutch, if you can’t tell by my name!
2) Who’s your fitness inspiration?
@kaisafit on Instagram. A strong, powerful woman who radiates positivity.
3) What’s your go-to exercise?
Deadlifts. If all else fails…. I just do some deadlifts. They are an awesome compound lift which builds full body strength and power.
4) When did you decide to start blogging and why?
Over 4 and a half years ago… it’s been a while. I started because none of my friends were into fitness and I wanted an outlet where I could talk about my interests. It soon went from being a hobby to an element of my career, and now my full-time job!
5) What will we find you doing when you’re not blogging?
I work at a gym, Un1t, where I teach classes. I also co-own an events company and movement called #girlgains, so I spend a lot of time managing that. I host solo events too as well as do talks for brands. I travel (my biggest passion!) And not forgetting… I spend a lot of time eating (peanut butter out the jar). And lifting weights!
6) What’s your favourite part of being a personal trainer?
The feeling when see someone go from shy and confused to a confident gym bunny who loves training, loves looking after their body and has formulated positive habits. You are literally changing someones life. It’s pretty incredible.
7) How did it feel to publish your first book?
Surreal. So so surreal. It took weeks if not months for it to finally sink in. I still get excited every day when I see people tagging me in posts using it!
8) Any fitness/life goals for 2017?
To establish a better work-life balance, starting with having one day off a week. I have stuck with this resolution almost every week this year!
9) Best piece of fitness advice?
Do what you love. If you don’t like running, don’t run. Find what you actually enjoy. And stick with it. Consistency is what brings results.
10) Favourite people to follow online?
I love @chinaealexander on Instagram. She is all about body positivity, self-love and developing yourself into a damn good human.
11) What would you be doing if you weren’t a blogger and PT?
I would be a speech and language therapist, specialising in stroke rehabilitation. That is what I studied at university for four years.
12) Have you always been into your health and fitness?
Certainly not! You couldn’t have paid me to exercise back at school. I only started to get into training and eating well in the second half of my degree. I made an awful lot of mistakes along the way but ultimately its lead to where I am today!
Check out Zanna’s blog and follow her on Instagram and Twitter