Patti Wilkins isn't like other nannas.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Other grandmothers don't run boot camps on the lawns in front of the Australian War Memorial. They don't play pirates and crawl through cubby houses with their grandsons. And they certainly don't enjoy burpees.
But 66-year-old Canberra personal trainer Wilkins does all of these activities – and she wants more grandmothers to follow suit.
"I spend a lot of time on the ground playing with my grandsons, and we do lots of pirate play and chasing," she says.
"And that's why I want everybody to stay fit – so when they get to my age they can crawl around and run around and just play."
Wilkins stripped down to sports bra and knickers behind the scenes at Fairfax Media this week for an online International Women's Day feature Love her body. The special project unites 10 of the nation's most high-profile and inspirational female athletes for a discussion on body image.
Despite being in incredible shape – "I love my obliques but nobody ever gets to see them!" – Wilkins was nervous about stripping down for the camera. But being placed in a photo with Australian basketballer Marianna Tolo reinforced why she'd agreed to be a part of the project.
At 148 centimetres and 196 centimetres respectively, and with 39 years between them, Wilkins and Tolo are worlds apart. But what they share is a deep respect for their bodies, and a desire to inspire women of all shapes and sizes to be the best they can be.
Tolo especially wants young women to know that what's perceived as a physical weakness can often turn out to be a defining feature.
"I've heard every tall joke there is," she says. "How's the weather up there? Watch out for that fan!
"I've copped it all since I was young."
But it was this exact physical feature that became Tolo's powerhouse and led her to wear green and gold.
Tolo has played consistently for the Australian Opals over the past 10 years and on Wednesday night was named the Women's National Basketball League's (WNBL) Defender of the Year.
While she's never really developed a witty comeback for the height jokes, Tolo admits to loving her body.
"I've always kept in shape my whole life," she says.
"I really love my body and appreciate it for what it is. I was taught as a kid to love your body and be proud of who you are and what you are."
Australian National University PhD student Kathina Ali is hoping International Women's Day on Wednesday will inspire parents to have a discussion with their teens (male and female) on body image.
Ali, from the ANU Research School of Psychology and Centre for Mental Health Research, is looking to recruit 250 young people aged 18-25 who worry about their weight and body shape to take part in a six-week online program to improve body image.
She says three things parents could do to start a discussion included talking about their teen's "whole self" (positive qualities, skills and talents), helping find body positive people to follow on Instagram and Snapchat, and explaining that often media images are unrealistic and Photoshopped.
"It's common for young people to feel dissatisfied with their body at some point but if it's something that consumes their thoughts on a daily basis or is affecting their ability to engage in life it's important to do something about it," Ali says.
"As part of our trial we'll monitor eating, weight or shape concerns over the six weeks, and provide tailored supportive feedback.
"We want to get a better understanding of what helps young people with eating and body image issues, and understand why, in many cases, they don't seek help."
For more information on the ANU ProYouth OZ body image study.
