When I was released from prison I was working in construction and it was soul wrenching for me because that’s not what I wanted to do. I started ConFit because I found purpose in it and it was a way for me to really feel free.
29·01·2020
When I was released from prison I was working in construction and it was soul wrenching for me because that’s not what I wanted to do. I started ConFit because I found purpose in it and it was a way for me to really feel free. Fitness is what I know best and I wanted to give back to the community in a positive way and help others who walked down the same path feel the same purpose as I do.
Our mission is to break down negative criminal stereotypes by creating holistic fitness communities. We also offer incredible training sessions. This helps formerly incarcerated inmates to transform their lives and to become leaders. They in turn want to give back to their communities, ultimately never seeing the inside of a prison cell again for these individuals.
The trainers benefit the most. They’re all ex-inmates who can use their fitness knowledge to give back to society in a positive way.
The recidivism rates in NSW reveal that 1 in 2 inmates will return to prison within the first 2 years, therefore providing ex inmates with a purpose-driven life we are saving taxpayers and government spending lots per ex-inmate not going back to prison.
Of course our clients also benefit greatly. They not only see the physical changes but to start the day energised after training has positive psychological benefits that translate to other areas of their day.
There is a massive correlation between physical well-being and mental health and vicé versa. I believe the body, mind and spirit are all interconnected (Yin and Yang) everything needs to be in equilibrium. At ConFit we understand how important this is and incorporate the hard and soft intensity workouts followed by stretch and meditation.
Staying fit is a way of life and a discipline. You can’t not just brush your teeth for 3 months and just go to the dentist you have to be consistent to maintain healthy teeth that is the same for your body and this consistent practice translates into other areas of your life for example relationships, career, and self-development.
Just do it – find something that you find interesting and give it a go. Don’t procrastinate.
You need drive to find purpose. Ask yourself, “Why do you want to do this?” Set that goal and be consistent in the steps to achieve it.
Why treat your diet any different to your workout? You don’t do high intensity training 5 days straight so find variety in what you eat to keep things fresh.
I’m not doing this to feel good but I just feel that this is a natural progression – kinda like a calling. If I didn’t do this, the time and experience that I went through would all be in vain.
I have 5 ex-inmates working with me on ConFit atm who are committed to the cause and lots more who are interested that are still incarcerated. I want this initiative to spread even without me in the picture.
We’re all humans living in the same society and we all have individual stories. No story is greater or lesser than the other. Your life could have been completely different if you had small tweaks in your life – growing up in a different neighbourhood, different school, different culture, no father etc.
Empathy starts with trying to understand and have an open mind that there are billions of lives in this world who are completely different to mine.
Australia is so diverse and we all come from different walks of life, cultures and beliefs. While we are diverse and different, we are united by common ground which is that we’re living in the same country. I’ve spent long stretches in solitary confinement by myself and I’d rather be together with other individuals rather than being by myself.
Find out more about ConFit here.
