Lizzie Bland is an ex-professional dancer and the Founder of female fitness company Lean Bean Fitness. She runs a hugely popular studio in Bondi Beach, hosts retreats throughout the year with Lean Bean Retreats, and also works on the recently launched online workout programme, Bean Online. Lizzie’s aim is to really help women to get fitter, healthier but most importantly happier and will often be found in their Bondi Beach studio teaching classes, personal training sessions or working out (when not cafe hopping around Bondi of course!). The best bit? She’ll usually be accompanied by her sidekicks Rafferty, her newborn baby boy and toy poodle Artie.
Lizzie Bland is an ex-professional dancer and the Founder of female fitness company Lean Bean Fitness. She runs a hugely popular studio in Bondi Beach, hosts retreats throughout the year with Lean Bean Retreats, and also works on the recently launched online workout programme, Bean Online. Lizzie’s aim is to really help women to get fitter, healthier but most importantly happier and will often be found in their Bondi Beach studio teaching classes, personal training sessions or working out (when not cafe hopping around Bondi of course!). The best bit? She’ll usually be accompanied by her sidekicks Rafferty, her newborn baby boy and toy poodle Artie.
Follow Lizzie at @leanbeanfitnessau and check out leanbeanfitness.com to try a class at her Bondi studio or online with Bean Online.
Find inspiration as we talk to Lizzie Bland in our #StrongHealthyWomen interview.
Hi Lizza! Thank you for being part of the Health and Fitness Travel, Strong, Healthy Women Interview Series, where we are shining a light on the importance of self-care, not as an indulgence but a necessity to reduce stress and general health issues.
Is there such a thing as a typical day for you and what does that look like?
Not really as my teaching schedule changes week to week but every day I’m up at 5- either with Rafferty or getting some jobs done around the house before he wakes up! I live in Paddington but head to Bondi around 8 am to train private clients at Lean Bean. I exercise about 4 times a week- usually attending a Baby Mumma’s class at the studio or doing Bean Online workout in my living room. The rest of the day usually depends on the baby- if he’s having a good nap ill head to a cafe and get on with work. If there’s no chance of peace and quiet, I’ll come back home and go for a walk with Artie. Once my partner is home, he’ll put Raf to bed and make dinner so I can take a long shower and cover my face, neck and chest in RosehipPLUS Rosehip Oil mixed with a couple of drops of lavender essential oil- instant relaxation. Dinner, Netflix, chocolate and bed by 8:30.
Can you share a time when you felt your well-being was challenged in the past and what did you overcome it?
When I was 21 I’d just graduated from a Dance school in London and was auditioning for different dance shows in the morning and then working as a cocktail waitress at night. I’ve always found staying up late whether I’m at a party or for work difficult, so I found this stage of my life a real challenge and knew I wouldn’t be able to live off just a few hours sleep per night for long. Luckily I ended up being offered a full-time instructor position at one of London’s top gyms Frame in Shoreditch so I could finally work all day and sleep all night again!
What does being healthy mean to you and how do you keep this at the forefront when life gets unavoidably busy?
Sleeping well, exercising, eating lots of fruit and veg and getting fresh air every day keeps me sane, happy and therefore healthy. Equally, If I don’t get any of those things I don’t fret about it – instead I just try and plan the following day (or even week if it’s been a bad one) so I can feel more positive about it.
Have you ever taken a holiday specifically for your well-being? Can you share what the experience was like?
Although I go away with Lean Bean Retreats as work – it definitely doesn’t feel like work and I always leave so much more refreshed and calm afterwards. But one particular impromptu holiday me and my partner Jonathan went on recently was a camping trip for a couple of nights and although it wasn’t booked as a ‘well-being’ holiday, the fact there was no wifi anywhere meant we completely switched off, because we had no other choice! Apart from the Goanna’s and Dingo’s….it was perfect.
Every woman’s idea of self-care is different, tell us about yours?
Walking my dog with a good podcast, going to an exercise class, spending time with my friends, taking a long shower and sitting on the sofa are things I do regularly for self-care. When I’m pushing the boat out I’ll go for a massage, get my nails done or maybe even go away for the night with my partner or friends.
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