Getting to Know: Mary Doube from Strong Formula
Mary Doube’s path from civil engineer to fitness coach was inspired by her own personal transformation. After the birth of her third child she felt “physically and mentally broken”. Her health and fitness had taken a back seat and she was struggling with anxiety. Mary used weights to build her physical strength, which then translated into mental strength too. Her wellness program Strong Formula aims to help other women find their strength and confidence too.
Tell us a little bit about yourself
I am known to many as Strong Coach Mary because of my personal journey from being very unwell and quite broken, to strong and with a zest for life. I am a civil engineer by trade, but my personal transformation led me to create my business Strong Coach, which helps other women to do the same thing. As a crossfit coach and mentor, I am obsessed with revolutionising how women get their strong mind and body back, without sacrificing everything that tastes good. Even with my three daughters, I have the same focus. I drive them crazy, but if I can instill strong in their minds now, then it will become part of who they are.
I can lift a keg above my head, I can dance, I can light up a room with laughter but I absolutely cannot sing – do not ask me to sing please!
What do you love most about what you do?
I got myself from a place of being totally broken to so strong, and I want to share it with all women who are struggling. When my clients start lifting heavy weights – and realise they can actually do it – this is when the magic happens. I thrive on this, because I know it works. I have lived and breathed it myself.
What is a usual working day like for you?
I am not sure there is anything ‘usual’ in my life with three daughters, two of whom are teenagers, plus a new and growing business. However, every single day starts with a thank you to the universe. It is a ritual for me and one that changes my state of mind even if I feel stressed. An hour of intensive strength training follows with my favourite training partner, my husband Chris. After that its mayhem, prepping lunches and bags for school, printing last minute assignments, and then three different school drop-offs in the melting madness of inner west traffic.
By the time I get back I am ready for a sleep, however Strong Formula takes over and its everything from writing articles like this to working with my business partner, my supplement partner, and my marketing team. There are videos to shoot for my Formula clients, and messages and questions to reply to. It’s a bit overwhelming but also really inspiring, especially when I get told how amazing my clients feel and what a difference it is making to their lives.
Dinner is always around the table (for the most part) followed by some downtime and in bed by 10pm.
What led you to choosing this career?
My path has been inspired by my own personal story of transformation, from an unfit mum of three to one who is an inspiration for women and men across the globe. I found myself physically and mentally broken after three kids and the stresses of life taking over. Crippled with anxiety and 30kg overweight, I walked through the doors of my local Crossfit gym and transformed myself physically and mentally – using weights as a tool to build enormous physical strength then mental strength.
Health and fitness changed my mindset and lifestyle forever, so I initially created a face-to-face program in Balmain helping others do the same. My obsession with fitness and technology led to the creation of the digital version – strongformula.com, which has greater reach and no boundaries in helping others.
I believe my old wounds give me the unique ability to feel compassion not criticism for my clients. Strong Formula gives me the platform to empower others to create their own destiny and live without fear in the same way I did.
Favourite places in the inner west?
I grew up in View Street Annandale and I have so many beautiful memories around the inner west. I love taking my youngest daughter Christiana to Hinsby Park on my old street. She calls it “Papou’s Park” (Greek for grandfather). We would often meet my dad there for a play until he moved to the Central Coast. I spend a huge amount of time in Balmain as my youngest is still going to school in the Peninsula. A special thank you to Bertoni, Contessa and Hungry Bull for keeping me caffeinated and my three daughters fed in between drop offs!
Who or what inspires you?
I draw inspiration from so many sources. Family is a big one – my husband’s unquenchable positive spirit and my three beautiful daughters. I’m also inspired by the strong and powerful women around me, by our personal art collection, by my training partners in the gym. I am currently obsessed with imagery of strength and power portrayed by the Greek goddesses Nike, Artemis and Athena. I love the story of Artemis, the goddess of hunting, who grants strength and health to others. The alignment in our stories is magical as I use Strong Formula to facilitate strength and health to women in need.
Visit strongformula.com or follow Mary on Instagram @strongcoachmary_official and @thestrongformula
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