At my first karate class, I stood in the dojo with 40 other students. The instructor said, “Look around, only two of you will ever get a black belt.” Instead of shrinking, I stood tall and thought, who’s coming with me? 

Four and a half years later, I got to tie that black belt around my waist. It was a moment of pure exhilaration and pride. I went on to win five karate world championships and tick off another life goal. Not once, but five times. I felt completely alive. Invincible. 

I soon found myself in the spotlight. After winning series two of Gladiators, I was asked to join the show as Glacier. When my boss refused to give me six weeks off for filming, I quit. No amount of 9 to 5 security was going to dim my light. 

My focus shifted to personal training and celebrity clients came knocking. I travelled the world with Russell Crowe who gave me the nickname ‘Wonder Woman’ and prepared Shane Warne for his cricket comeback. I had well and truly made it but I felt like something was missing. 

I yearned for the comfort, love and security of a family. Retiring from competitive sport had left a void in my life and I felt certain that ‘settling down’ would fill it. 

So I did what women are ‘meant’ to do – I got married and, in my early 40s, I was blessed with two beautiful daughters. My final goal was achieved but the void remained, deep and hollow. I adored my girls but couldn’t shake the darkness and discomfort that had settled in my gut. I felt dazed, empty and lost. And then my whole world came crashing down.

Nothing prepared me for the breakdown of my marriage. 

All of a sudden, the love and security I had clung to was gone. In its place was unbearable pain. 

I was isolated, stressed and suffering debilitating depression, spiralling further and further into a black hole. Government handouts weren’t enough to pay the bills and I worried every day about how I was going to take care of my girls, let alone create a good life for them. 

Bio

Lourene Bevaart is the definition of an over-achiever.

As an elite sportsperson, Lourene won five karate world championships, became Gladiator Glacier after winning series two of the show, and was the personal trainer of choice for Russell Crowe and Shane Warne. As a health and wellness entrepreneur, Lourene has risen to become one of Australia’s most driven and inspiring network marketers. 

Lourene is also a survivor. She has overcome the impacts of depression and a broken marriage to build a business and a life that she loves. A single mum to two daughters, Lourene takes pride in showing them what it means to be a strong, healthy and independent woman.

While Lourene is grateful for her personal success, she is happiest when helping others.

Every day, she supports people to escape the monotonous and mediocre – to unlock their purpose, reclaim their power and live a life of their choosing.

Lourene holds a Bachelor of Applied Science as well as a Diploma of Education but says she has learned a lot more from the University of Life.