I was met by this on the board ❤
It was so cute that they printed off my blogger header and added the “Down Under”
Stella snuck an extra “I” into Australia, just for an extra station haha.
Photos and beautiful memories everywhere
First present opening
Teamed up with my girls Kate and Faye
Working hard…
Trying out my awesome new vest!
Some more gifts
How pretty is my new hoodie?!
Hi guys from Melbourne! Wow this is the longest break I’ve taken from the blog for a while! It’s just been absolutely manic this past week trying to get organised and with the nerves building up. It was so many “goodbyes” or as I say “see you laters” and was extremely tough. Tougher than what I was prepared for. The final two days I bursted into tears every other minute almost! I was so scared and sad to leave everyone. I was really excited too but the others emotions took over a little bit towards the end. I do know I’ll see everyone again, but it will probably be a while. A strange feeling when you’re used to seeing a lot of them daily or weekly!
On Saturday I had my goodbye workout at G5. My last Metabolic Mayhem and I’m sitting here trying to do it all justice in writing. The morning, the G5 crew and Stella. I’m trying find words to type that can explain what went through my head and it’s tough. It really is. I don’t feel like any words could do this place or the people justice but I’m going to try my best because I want to remember it all.
I walked with Kate down to G5 that morning, I loved having having company down. I was so happy she managed to come along for the workout. We got there and as soon as I stepped into the gym I saw a balloon. I walked closer to the board and it was covered with photos of my blog header with a “Down Under” added to it as well as were some incredible photos of many amazing moments I’ve had with everyone. I thought I was at least going to make it through a little bit longer than that before the tears came but I couldn’t help it. It was one of the nicest things I’d ever seen. I just couldn’t believe that it was for me. Then I went to the toilet and there was a big photo on the mirror and all over the gym there were pictures. They’d put so much time and effort into this morning and I felt so spoilt with love. We were 30 people there. 30 people there to celebrate the final Metabolic Mayhem with me. That was just incredible.
People started to arrive and when it was time Stella started off the class with a little speech introducing our big workout and then handed me a gift that I needed to open before we got started. Everyone went silent and stared haha. I opened it and it was a black vest and on the back it said “Built by Bartram” with the Gym G5 logo underneath in a shiny rose gold print. Funnily enough I made a joke about that I needed a vest like that the other day for me to bring to Melbourne. They had it all figured out already. I loved it!
To warm up we did an 800m run and we got put into teams of three for Maddie’s Special “Surfer-Koala-Roo” WOD. I was paired up with my girls Faye and Kate, which made me so happy. It was such a warm morning and we were sweating buckets throughout the different stations. I had a lovely sweat patch on my bum. That has never happened before! I thought it was Glasgow probably making me used to training in warmer climates hehe. We had ten different stations and 6 minutes work on each. Taking turns doing the movements or doing some synchronised. There were deadlifts (my fave), double unders, “Ozzie” swings, weighted vest runs, wall balls, assault bike, burpees and so much more. We were having a great time working through all the stations.
I held it together on the crying throughout the entire thing until we got to the third last station, which was wall balls for us. Faye did her wall balls and then came up to give me a hug whilst Kate was doing hers. Then she disappeared outside and came back and was crying and then I started crying and then Kate turned around and was wondering what was going on! I then had to do wall balls crying. So funny. Then for the final stations it was on and off crying haha. Thanks Faye for setting me off!
The final station was single arm dumbbell snatches and some of the girls were cheering me on for my final reps of my final Metabolic Mayhem. It was tough and emotional and I felt such joy and sadness at the same time. We then got a photo by the shutter of our sweaty faces before we headed back to the board. Stella wanted to say some words but first she gave me a second gift. I opened it and it was a gigantic box of tissues! They know me too well. Then Stella made her speech and the things she said were just the loveliest words. I couldn’t believe they were about me and it made me realise once again how far I’d come and how important G5 has been to me on my journey in so many ways, not just for my fitness but it’s made me grow as a person. I then got a hug and another present. I was speechless, I never expected so many presents. In this big lululemon bag was another wrapped up gift, a beautiful pink hoodie with the print “#G5FAMILY” on the back. I loved it. It was far too kind. Then there was a massive card full with beautiful pictures of moments with my G5 crew all over it and wonderful words on the inside from everyone.
I attempted to say a few words after all of that to everyone but I was so emotional I barely even remember what I said or if it made sense. I hope it did. Amongst the things I tried to say was, I’m sad to go but leaving now makes me think of when I was leaving Sweden it was sad but I felt safe leaving because I knew my family would always be there. The same goes for my G5 family, they’re my Scottish family and as sad I am to leave them I know I’ll always have them here and they’ve got my back. I know I can always come home to them. G5 is so much more than just a gym. It’ll always have a special place in my heart. It really will.
When I stepped through those doors for the first time, I didn’t know it then but it changed my life. It really did. I will always be grateful for that. I really will. I knew there’d be loads of amazing gyms in Melbourne, but G5 would be a tough one to follow up. I was a bit nervous about going to a new gym to be honest but I know I’d find a new place and meet new amazing people.
After the speech Carole and Nadia had baked some lovely cakes people tucked into and everyone hung about and chatted for a bit. I got so many hugs and good lucks. There were tears and there was so much joy. Lots of pictures snapped and lovely Ros who recently started at G5 came in to just give me a little gift which was a little angel to keep me safe during my trip. It was incredibly thoughtful. I also got a lovely card from baby Samúéil. The cutest thing I’ve ever read. One by one people started to head off and then it was time for brunch for some of the crew who still had time to hang out.
We went to the G5 usual, Gusto and Relish. They don’t usually take bookings but had so kindly reserved a table for us on this day. We arrived and our little area had been decorated with balloons. Again, I just couldn’t believe it was for me. We had a great time sitting there eating some delicious food and just chatting until it was time for everyone to get on with their days.
Luckily I was back in the next morning for my actual final session in the gym but I knew not everyone was going to be there and it was open gym so it’s not quite the same. After that, that was it. All those sessions together and all those amazing memories. I really had no idea what I had coming when I went into G5, no idea. Who would’ve thought a few years later I’ve competed twice in Crossfit and have done my Crossfit Level 1 course? Definitely not me. I’m forever a better person because of this place and the people in it. I know I’ll be back one day. This is not the end. I’m just soon beginning a new chapter in my story. I’m hoping further along in my book I’ll be back and see these people. I’ll be leaving a little part of me in this special place. Until then I’ll always be grateful for our time together. It’s been the time of my life and I know there’s so many more exciting things to come.
Before I finish this post I have to give a big mention to the incredible woman that is Stella Bartram. What a lady she is. What an inspiration she is. One of a kind and I’m a lucky person to call her my friend. The commitment she shows to her members and how much she helps them is crazy considering how she runs the entire gym herself. She chases people who haven’t showed up for while, offers anyone who wants it butrion coaching, runs classes and does PT sessions. She cares about every single member’s life outside the gym and knows what’s going on in everyone’s lives. She can see when you’re going through a tough time and offers support. I don’t know how she does it. She is one of the most incredible people I’ve ever met and if you’re in Glasgow, she’s the woman you need to turn to to get your health and fitness in check. Being trained by her has been amazing. Thank you Stella, I can’t thank you enough.
And thank you everyone at G5. I love you, I always will. Thank you. Thank you so much. I can’t stop typing because I feel like I could go on forever, like I somehow don’t want this post to end because I don’t want my time at G5 to end but now I need to get to bed.
More posts about Melbourne and everything will be up soon. I’m back in action now and so excited to get writing about my life down here!
Speak soon my dears, M xxx
