Top student award for Wintec exercise enthusiast
A passion for exercise helped Wintec student Shane Way overcome personal adversity and take out the Student of the Year at the recent 2016 New Zealand Exercise Industry Awards in Auckland.
The awards have been running since 2005 and are designed to recognise people like Shane making a contribution to the health and wellness of New Zealanders through exercise and fitness.
Shane, who is originally from Thames but now resides in Hamilton, completed four years of study with Wintec’s Centre for Sport Science and Human Performance earlier this month and beat nine other finalists from across New Zealand to take home the award.
The award signifies a great deal of hard work and commitment from the 27-year-old whose journey to study the Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science and Certificate in Fitness Industry Training was sparked by his battle with depression and anxiety.
Four years ago Shane realised that he had a real passion for exercise and that it could help him to overcome mental illness. He successfully auditioned to become a group fitness instructor at Les Mills in 2012 and then enrolled at Wintec the following year.
“My time at Wintec has involved a lot of late nights, stress and tears as I always push myself to be the absolute best I can be. It’s also been an amazing experience where I’ve learnt so much and grown immensely as a person. The support and encouragement I’ve had from all my tutors and class mates has been spectacular.”
Shane was nominated for the award by one of his tutors who praised his work ethic, professionalism, knowledge base and people skills. He was then selected as a finalist and had to submit a 500 word essay on himself and undergo a live judging event.
Shane said the award, which he received at a ceremony last Saturday, was truly humbling and shows how hard he has worked to get to where he is today.
“Through my personal experience and education I have evolved into a new person. I will always suffer from mental illness however it’s something I am now open about and proud of as it is testament to my resilience, drive and strength. I hope that my struggles can inspire and motivate others.”
He said he hoped to use the win to become a role model for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Queer (LGBTQ) community and anyone suffering from mental illness, by demonstrating that no matter how tough life is it can get better through perseverance.
Shane is due to graduate from Wintec next March and currently has his own home-based massage therapy business, Rejuvn8, while also still working at Les Mills as a receptionist, gym instructor and in membership retention. Next year he will be moving into a personal trainer position with Les Mills, which has been a long term goal of his, and also starting his own business; Your-Way Personal Training and Lifestyle Coaching, which is his true passion.
His aim for the future is to use exercise as a treatment for mental illness and to help others build confidence, self-esteem and self-acceptance.
“I believe exercise is the best way of battling mental illness as it has personally saved my life.”
The awards have been running since 2005 and are designed to recognise people like Shane making a contribution to the health and wellness of New Zealanders through exercise and fitness.
Shane, who is originally from Thames but now resides in Hamilton, completed four years of study with Wintec’s Centre for Sport Science and Human Performance earlier this month and beat nine other finalists from across New Zealand to take home the award.
The award signifies a great deal of hard work and commitment from the 27-year-old whose journey to study the Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science and Certificate in Fitness Industry Training was sparked by his battle with depression and anxiety.
Four years ago Shane realised that he had a real passion for exercise and that it could help him to overcome mental illness. He successfully auditioned to become a group fitness instructor at Les Mills in 2012 and then enrolled at Wintec the following year.
“My time at Wintec has involved a lot of late nights, stress and tears as I always push myself to be the absolute best I can be. It’s also been an amazing experience where I’ve learnt so much and grown immensely as a person. The support and encouragement I’ve had from all my tutors and class mates has been spectacular.”
Shane was nominated for the award by one of his tutors who praised his work ethic, professionalism, knowledge base and people skills. He was then selected as a finalist and had to submit a 500 word essay on himself and undergo a live judging event.
Shane said the award, which he received at a ceremony last Saturday, was truly humbling and shows how hard he has worked to get to where he is today.
“Through my personal experience and education I have evolved into a new person. I will always suffer from mental illness however it’s something I am now open about and proud of as it is testament to my resilience, drive and strength. I hope that my struggles can inspire and motivate others.”
He said he hoped to use the win to become a role model for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Queer (LGBTQ) community and anyone suffering from mental illness, by demonstrating that no matter how tough life is it can get better through perseverance.
Shane is due to graduate from Wintec next March and currently has his own home-based massage therapy business, Rejuvn8, while also still working at Les Mills as a receptionist, gym instructor and in membership retention. Next year he will be moving into a personal trainer position with Les Mills, which has been a long term goal of his, and also starting his own business; Your-Way Personal Training and Lifestyle Coaching, which is his true passion.
His aim for the future is to use exercise as a treatment for mental illness and to help others build confidence, self-esteem and self-acceptance.
“I believe exercise is the best way of battling mental illness as it has personally saved my life.”
