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- At 35, Madalin Giorgetta previously marketed a fitness guide aimed at helping women achieve a curvy and muscular physique.
- In 2019, she recognized that her messaging inadvertently promoted thinness and decided to change her approach.
- Sharing images of herself online led Giorgetta to obsess over perceived imperfections in her appearance.
This narrative is based on an interview with Madalin Giorgetta, 35, an Australian nutritionist who transitioned from being a fitness influencer. The content has been edited for brevity and clarity.
From Fitness Influencer to Nutrition Expert
Back in 2019, I was at the helm of my own fitness brand with one million followers on Instagram. Today, I proudly identify as a nutritionist—and I wouldn’t trade this path for anything else.
I used to receive upwards of 60,000 likes on bikini photos while being affiliated with GymShark and selling my own workout programs. However, once I realized that my messages were perpetuating harmful body image ideals, I made the decision to pivot. Now my posts about nutritional science garner around 500 likes—but it brings me joy knowing that people appreciate this content even without featuring my physique.
The Beginning of My Fitness Journey
The journey began in 2016 when I neglected both diet and exercise while managing a social media business alongside my sister. My then-boyfriend (now husband) encouraged me to adopt healthier habits out of self-love. Initially resistant but determined to prove him wrong, I started going to the gym.
I enrolled in Kayla Itsines’ popular fitness app—a well-known trainer during that time—and after six months she shared one of my before-and-after photos which resulted in an overnight gain of approximately 10,000 followers. Back then, getting featured by Kayla was like hitting the jackpot for aspiring influencers!
Developing My Own Fitness Program
This period coincided with shifting beauty standards favoring curvier yet toned bodies over traditional skinniness. The program I initially followed required minimal equipment at home; however, frustration grew as muscle gains didn’t meet expectations.
Eager for strength and definition, I delved into research about effective muscle-building techniques which led me down an enlightening path where I crafted a personalized weightlifting regimen tailored just for me—transforming from naturally slender into what society deemed aspirational at the time.
I continued running my social media management business while simultaneously building influence within the fitness community until April 2017 when sales skyrocketed after launching my own guide! This success paved the way toward developing an app dedicated solely to health and wellness—eventually allowing me full-time focus on this new venture within just one year!
The Cost of Success: Obsession Over Image
Sensitivity towards criticism has always been part of who I am; however becoming an influencer amplified these feelings exponentially! An obsession developed around engagement metrics—from post interactions down through product sales—all tied back into how others perceived me physically!
Prioritizing self-image became detrimental; instead focusing inwardly shifted outwardly onto external validation via likes or comments received online rather than appreciating myself holistically! It felt like every angle needed perfecting: abs visible? Check! No pre-workout meals consumed? Double-check! Tanned skin & cosmetic enhancements were also essential components contributing towards maintaining visibility amongst peers competing fiercely within our industry!
A Moment Of Self-Reflection And Realization
A pivotal moment arrived during early reflections throughout late-2019 whilst visiting family members residing near San Francisco where trying psilocybin opened up new perspectives previously unconsidered regarding societal pressures surrounding weight loss/diet culture itself leading towards deeper understanding behind struggles faced by many individuals today due largely because socioeconomic factors influencing their ability manage personal health effectively over time…
A few weeks later came across articles discussing dieting failures backed by studies showcasing real-life experiences resonated deeply causing emotional turmoil realizing everything believed thus far had been misguided leading ultimately feeling guilty about promoting unrealistic standards through previous content shared publicly…
Embracing Change Amidst Backlash
Navigating such drastic transformations openly posed challenges yet no regrets lingered behind those choices made along way ! Currently serving clients remotely specializing functional nutrition emphasizing whole foods fueling bodies adequately satisfying needs without restrictive measures imposed earlier…
I still maintain substantial following across platforms although identifying less strictly under “influencer” label nowadays primarily utilizing presence connect community share educational insights related wellness/nutrition topics instead collaborating brands frequently anymore…
A recent return back gym occurred following five-year hiatus stemming inability face reflection without negative thoughts clouding judgment regarding self-worth ultimately proud decision taken embracing authenticity improving overall mental state relationships formed throughout life journey thus far…