Gym+Fitness Trainer Profile: Shaye Giess
PCYC Queensland is very fortunate to have some of the most professional and passionate trainers in the industry. Shaye Giess cares deeply for her members and a much-loved trainer at PCYC Lang Park.
When did you join the PCYC Lang Park team?
Two and a half years ago in 2017.
Why did you become a trainer?
When I was 16, the MC at my Deb Ball introduced me saying that I wanted to be in a job where I would be ‘working with and helping people’. But it wasn’t until many years later that I finally got there.
After a stint in the Army, gaining a Uni degree, working in state government and managing my sons’ school tuckshop, it was the ladies volunteering in the tuckshop who inspired me to become a personal trainer (PT). Many of them would frequently ask me to train them and I kept telling them that I had no idea what to do. So, I finally married my love of health and fitness with my desire to help others!
What is your favourite moment in fitness or sport?
I will never forget the excitement and pride I felt watching my other half on the TV compete for Australia in the 1996 World Mountain Bike Championships. He was, and still is, an incredible athlete.
What are you training for personally at the moment?
Usually I am in training for the TreX Cross Triathlon (cross country) series, but for the last few years I have been focusing on mountain biking events. So I’m currently training for the Sunshine Coast MTB Festival (50km mountain bike course) and for the 55km Merida Pursuit later in the year.
I also plan on competing in the last Maximum Adventure Race Series in Queensland for the year which is a two-person team event consisting of kayaking, trail running and mountain biking – but I really don’t enjoy the kayaking!
What is one word that describes you?
My family would say I am fiercely determined (two words I know!). I am an incredibly happy and affable person but when I compete, or I really want to achieve something badly enough, I am unstoppable!