Eljay Anderson’s own struggles with body image and self-love led her to form the Rural Health Collective, allowing her to follow her passion for empowering other rural women.
From her home in Te Akau, Waikato, she helps rural women to improve the fitness of their mind, body and soul through strength training, nutrition and mindset work.
“Rural Health Collective was born from my own personal journey. I want to be able to help other women realise their true potential.”
After suffering through her teens and twenties with body image and self-love issues, the pivotal moment came when she looked in the mirror one day and knew something had to change. She joined the gym and made changes to her diet. Once she “realised the power of grasping the barbell” she knew she’d found what she wanted to do in life.
Initially, this qualified personal trainer started Eljay for Fitness to help other women gain confidence through movement. She recently rebranded as Rural Health Collective to reach a wider audience and reflect her biggest passion, helping rural women.
Describe yourself in 3 words: Independent, disciplined, authentic/relatable.
Was there a lightbulb moment for you? Definitely. There have been lots of little ones along the way, but the standout one was that day when I looked in the mirror - I can even remember what I was wearing - I had a purple singlet on, and it was tight when it never used to be. Through my teens and early twenties, I battled with body issues and self-love. I realised I was tired of being angry, impatient and exhausted all the time. I knew the pathway I was going down was not a good one and something had to change. I joined a gym, got help from friends and coaches and started eating more food, a balanced diet that gave me confidence, strength and energy.
Best advice you’ve ever received? This is an interesting one because most of my life lessons have come from the four-legged, horses. I’ve had my best advice from them, and the lessons they’ve taught me, things like it’s okay to let your walls down and get attached.
Have you got some practical health tips for rural women?
- Eat more protein. The positive effects are huge, particularly as women age, we need more protein in our diet. Protein helps keep you fuller for long, so make sure you include a protein source in three meals a day.
- Stop living with restrictions in your diet. Enjoy a balance of whole foods and soul foods.
- Choose the pain and struggle of pushing your limits with exercise 4-5 days a week rather than the pain and struggle of being weak and unfit every day.
What inspires you? Growth, and seeing other people grow.
Dream way to spend a day? Waking up to the sunrise. A coffee in the sun while I watch my horses in the paddock. Some sort of journaling, meditation and reading. Onboarding new clients and checking in on current ones. Finishing with an afternoon riding or being with my horses on the beach.
What are you reading/listening to? I’m really into the Colleen Hoover fiction books, I’m bloody hooked!
I just started listening to the Keep the Change podcast by two New Zealand guys on money mindset – it’s really good stuff.
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