Lycra and protein powder will dominate Black Beach Reserve in Kiama across March 3 and 4 and it’s all in aid of mental health.
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Insta-famous fitness stars, a Ninja Warrior and a bodybuilding champion will be also be sporting their sneakers for the second Healthy Livin festival – a healthy lifestyle event promoting wellness and raising money for mental health charity Livin.
This year’s event will include more exhibitors, more group sessions (including a fun run, yoga and other forms of relaxation) and more seminars at a cheaper price than last year – all suited to any age and any fitness ability.
“We just saw the impact mental illness had on so many people and often you don’t even realise it – it’s not an obvious disease or a disability per se but can just be as debilitating … and you can see the benefit fitness has on health,” said event director Courtney Beaton.
Livin ambassador and mental health advocate Dan Price attended last year’s festival and told his story of trying to end his life by attempting to jump off the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
“[The festival] was a really great way to connect the whole community to the importance of looking after our minds and educating people around mental health and what it means,” Mr Price told the Illawarra Mercury.
He said “wellness” and connection with other people were fundamental to mental health while his personal journey involved many of the elements that were part of the event – such as healthy eating, mediation, sleep and exercise.
“I was lucky to live and sadly many don’t,” Mr Price said. “We need to get it out there and remind people to be really conscious of looking after themselves.”
Mrs Beaton said the festival encourages and focuses on the benefits of fitness, health and wellness and the proven benefits a healthy body has on a healthy mind.
Celebrity speakers and trainers include commando and Ninja Warrior Scott Evennett who will run specialised sessions combining special forces mindset with high-performance training; nutritionist Moodi Dennaoui; Kiama teacher turned international fitness influencer Tanya Poppett; tactical strength and conditioning coach and founder of Strength Elite Sydney Kev Toonen, ICN Natural Body Building champion Daniel Knust and activewear entrepreneur Lisa Trujillo will bust out her booty busting sessions.
Four group sessions will be on the hour, every hour:
- Main stage: group HIIT workouts;
- Red Zone: Workshops and seminars;
- STRONG - all about weight and power and
- Zen Zone - unwind, rest and recover.
One in five people aged 16 to 85 experience mental illness in any year with the most common being depression, anxiety and substance abuse disorder, according to the National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing in 2009.
Healthy Livin Festival, Blackbeach Reserve Kiama, March 3 & 4. Tickets for both days $39 from www.healthylivinfestival.com.au
If you or someone you know needs help call Lifeline on 13 11 14.