Getting to know... Caroline Lawrence

Name: Caroline Lawrence
Title: Cross Campus Group Fitness Coordinator
Division: Monash Sport
Dept: Fitness
Campus: Clayton, Caulfield and Peninsula     

How long have you worked at Monash?
Since March 2011.

Where did you work prior to starting at the University?
I worked at Fernwood as the Group Fitness, Personal Training and Retention Coordinator. I taught approximately 10 Group Fitness classes a week inlcuding Boxing, Zumba, Cycle, Bootcamps Sessions and Circuits. I also personally trained 80 clients per week, which kept me pretty busy. At the same time I was also the Group Fitness Coordinator at Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre.

What do you like best about your role?
I like working across three campuses and that I work with a great group of people who are passionate about fitness or sport. I also enjoy the opportunity to work on a large variety of tasks.

Why did you choose your current career path?
I am very passionate about the fitness industry. I first joined a gym back in 2003 and had only been a member for four weeks when I decided that this is the industry I wanted to work in. I went to TAFE and completed a CertIficate III and Certificate IV in Fitness, followed by many specialised courses including Boxing, Personal Training for Childeren course, Fitball, Cycle and many more. There are so many possibilities within the Fitness Industry.

First job?
My first job within the Fitness Industry was as a gym floor instructor at Fernwood. This entailed chatting to members while they were completing their workouts, completing assessments and programs and cleaning the machines. Everyone has to start somewhere. This gave me valuable knowledge and asssisted me to get to where I am today.

Worst job?
Working at Donut King, I lasted three weeks. I didn’t really like working with food. In addition you could take home as many donuts as you wanted at the end of your shift - not good for the waist line. 

What is your favourite place in the world and why?
My favourite place in the world is Las Vegas. There is just no other place like it, great nightlife, shows and discount shopping: what more could a girl want!

What is your favourite place to eat and why?
My favourite place to eat is the Robbie Burns Hotel in Collingwood. They make a great seafood paella!

What is the best piece of advice you have received?
You can achieve anything provided you put your mind to it. This was true when I completed my first marathon back in 2010 when many people tried to talk me out of completing. I stayed head strong and achieved my goal of running 42.2 km.

Tell us something about yourself that your colleagues wouldn’t know?
That I speak Spanish, and my mum was born in Chile. My whole family learnt Spanish so that we could communicate with my grandparents.