Written by Stephanie Kewin
Photography by Paul Buceta
Hair & Makeup by Monica Kalra
When a terrible case of burnout led Leah Patrick to severe issues with her adrenal glands and thyroid, it was a long and emotional journey to feeling well again. “I had absolutely no control over my body anymore. I put on 30 to 40 pounds because of the state my hormones were in. This was devastating for me,” she says. It took Leah three years to start getting healthy and a few more to fully rebuild her body, but she transformed the experience into a powerful one that motivates her to commit to focusing on fitness and nutrition—personally, and professionally as a coach. “I spent quite a bit of time feeling low and hating the way I looked. Even though this was the worst moment of my life, I am also grateful that I went through this. Your struggles are what actually make you stronger in the end. I know I can get through anything and now I also get to help others who are going through a similar situation,” she explains. “I love helping women feel empowered and confident in their own skin, and glowing in their highest form when they have worked so hard to achieve their dream body.”
"We cannot allow stress to take over because the result is what happened to me and I would not wish that on anyone."
Competing in powerlifting is certainly one way Leah maintains her own confidence, but she also puts an emphasis on mindset and stress management through practices such as meditation and journaling, as she believes this is everything when it comes to changing your physique and how you see yourself. “The effects of chronic stress on our health is no joke and we struggle with so much stress in our daily lives. We cannot allow stress to take over because the result is what happened to me and I would not wish that on anyone.” With her fitness App coming out soon, Leah hopes to reach even more women with her message and strategies to help them feel confident and unstoppable, too. “We need more of this in our world!”
