ELLE NIELSEN

I’m Elle — a health and fitness enthusiast that is super passionate about living life to the fullest, breaking a sweat, being kind to my body and most of all, being the best version of myself. With an adventurous spirit, and an energetic and goal-driven personality, I’ve been described as a fearless warrior. Together with my passions and past experiences, I’ve created ‘Wellness By Elle’ to share my knowledge with you, to support you, and to help you… Why? Because I’ve helped myself.

Growing up, I was a happy and sporty girl. I danced, played soccer, participated in nippers and was even School Captain of my Primary School. It was only when I reached high school that my struggle really began. After years of bullying and harassment, my anxiety and depression kicked in and even leaving the house started to become a problem. My parents also divorced in this period and it felt like my life was in a constant downward spiral - I really couldn't see a way out of it all.  While I joined the gym as a stress-reliever and worked out quite hard, I was feeding my loneliness and depression, and my weight only went up.

Around the age of 16, my mum tricked me in to watching a documentary called ‘The Secret’. Despite being angry at her "awesome" movie selection and claiming that I would never watch it, something actually piqued my attention and while she was at work, I watched it, AND took notes!  I then attended a seminar on The Laws of Attraction, and it was like a revelation! If this stuff worked, then perhaps by changing my outlook, I could change my life. I decided to quietly give it a go (how embarrassing if it didn’t work, right?!) and test the theory that, what you think about (good or bad), you attract.

I started seeing the world differently. I started being grateful and I started to get in touch with my body. I saved the money I earned from working casually so I could see a naturopath, and wow was I blown away! I followed his advice to the absolute T. Everything about the way I trained, ate and thought, changed completely. Gradually the weight started to drop and my new stronger, leaner body evolved. I started to show my body love, and my body started to show me love back. 

This was the first time I realised that it all started with the mind, and you had to work on yourself from the inside out. With 17kgs and my old way of thinking gone, I decided to challenge myself both physically and mentally, and sign up for my first bodybuilding competition. The first competition was an experience and my second, a success. I had become a national bikini champion and was featured in fitness magazines.

When I first embarked on my wellness journey, I never once in a million years imagined myself to be where I am now. A community of kind-hearted and beautiful women, a team of coaches and four babies — Wellness By Elle (fitness side known as Elevate Training), Bowlarama (plant-based smoothie bowls), Fwd Form (natural supplements) and a REAL baby, Max Madden, who was born in December 2020.

Remember, changing your life both mentally and physically is not something that will happen overnight. It is a work in progress; YOU are a work in progress. It’s all about creating healthy habits, not restrictions! Work hard towards your goals, know when to let your hair down, make time for you and doing the things you love, practice gratitude, and most of all, live and enjoy your life with a happy heart! 

My goal in life is to be happy and what makes me happy is seeing other people happy! Helping women learn to love exercise, eat healthier and most important of all, love themselves. It is only from my past experiences and having changed the way I live, eat, think and do, that I am in a position where I can now help inspire and motivate others into living a healthier and more active lifestyle.