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Rhianna Smith is a lifetime Katherine local, having lived here for the entire 28 years since she was born.
From an early age, Rhianna has always been interested in sports, participating in them both in and out of school.
Initially Rhianna was interested in becoming a primary school teacher. Completing her Certificate III in Children’s Services in her late teens and she began working at a local childcare centre.
After four years Rhianna changed career paths and went to work for the family business, R.J. Motors Katherine.
Read more: R.J. Motors Katherine
Still keen to feed her passion for fitness, Rhianna would attend a local boot camp down at the sports and recreational facility before work three times a week.
Rhianna’s friend Taylor Fishlock then invited her to join a Muay Thai session run by David Flood down at the Katherine boxing yard.
The challenge and discipline that Muay Thai provided fuelled the fire in Rhianna’s heart and motivated her to begin studying with the Australian Institute of Fitness to become a personal trainer.
David Flood agreed to assist Rhianna as her mentor during the course of her study, which would eventually develop into a mutual business partnership of Blue Eagle Muay Thai and Fitness Katherine.
During her time at Blue Eagle, Rhianna meet her partner Zak Houseman. They hit it off instantly, both sharing a passion for health and fitness.
With the constant popularity and growth of Blue Eagle Muay Thai, the local boxing yard was not sufficient and the club moved down to the Katherine showgrounds operating out of the Photo Pavilion, eventually outgrowing that too and moving across the road into the Norforce Pavilion.
It was at this time with the completion of her Certificate III in Fitness (gym instructor) that Rhianna and David entered their business partnership.
Rhianna continued her study with Certificate IV in Fitness (personal training), held her own boot camp classes, continued to work at R.J. Motors, and still participatied in Muay Thai.
In July 2016 Rhianna completed her qualification as a personal trainer and applied for her own business name of Mind Over Matter Fitness Katherine (MOMF).
It was August 15, 2016 when Rhianna held her first fitness group session under the name of Mind over Matter Fitness.
With the growth of Rhianna’s clients both in her group and personal training sessions, Rhianna decided that MOMF needed specialised equipment that would better suit her client’s needs.
After months of searching, 5/10 Palmer Street Katherine was chosen and work began to set up a new fitness studio.
Rhianna also set to work designing her own programs that focus on improving muscular strength and endurance as well as cardiovascular endurance.
Amid their busy lifestyle, after being together for two years, Zak then proposed to Rhianna whilst they were on a hike in a South Australian national park.
As partners, and with the constant growth of MOMF, Zak decided to crank up his involvement by enrolling with the Australian Institute of Fitness to complete his own qualifications as a personal trainer.
Completing Certificate IV in Fitness allows graduates to register with Fitness Australia as personal trainers, which they have.
Among other benefits, this helps them continually expand their knowledge of the fitness industry.
Rhianna and Zak were presented with the chance to expand the size of their business when the adjoining shed of Unit 6 became available.
Jumping at the opportunity, the pair decided the next step of their journey would be to add a gym.
This means they will be able to provide the town of Katherine with a newly equipped multipurpose gym with scan card access.
The completion of the gym is only just around the corner with, Rhianna and Zak spending many months of weekends renovating.
Support from Rhianna’s mother and father Susan and Rob Smith (of R.J. Motors Katherine) has been greatly appreciated too with many hours of their time spent completing the work.
Several friends and local businesses have also pitched in to bring the new facility alive.
Car Parts NT - www.carpartsnt.com.au
Auto Pro - www.autopro.com.au
TJM 4x4 Equipped - www.tjmproducts.com
Power Projects NT - www.powerprojectsnt.com.au
Stuart Hotel / Town & Country Butchers - www.townandcountrybutchers.com.au/products
Laser Clinic Katherine - www.laserclinickatherine.com
Katherine Sports and Family Chiropractic - www.katherinefamilychiropractic.com
Blue Eagle Muay Thai and Fitness Katherine - facebook
Little bloke Fitness - www.littleblokefitness.com.au
Mind over matter Fitness Katherine - facebook