WomensHealth
  • News
  • Health
  • Fitness
  • Sex & Love
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Weight Loss
  • Women In Sport
  • Podcasts
  • Subscribe
  • Video
WomensHealth
  • News
  • Health
  • Fitness
  • Sex & Love
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Weight Loss
  • Women In Sport
  • Podcasts
  • Subscribe
  • Video
This Simple, Effective Ab Workout Will Shred Your Six-Pack
Watch 0:23

This Simple, Effective Ab Workout Will Shred Your Six-Pack

{headline}

{headline}

Cate Campbell On How "Choking" At Rio Has Changed Her Perception Of Success

Cate Campbell On How "Choking" At Rio Has Changed Her Perception Of Success

'I Went From Boxercise To The Boxing Ring In Just Six Weeks'

'I Went From Boxercise To The Boxing Ring In Just Six Weeks'

How To Holiday Like A Skiing Pro

How To Holiday Like A Skiing Pro

Holiday Like A Muay Thai Fighter

Holiday Like A Muay Thai Fighter

{headline}

{headline}

Cate Campbell Is The 2018 Women’s Health Sportswoman Of The Year

Cate Campbell Is The 2018 Women’s Health Sportswoman Of The Year

You're Not Too Old/Weak/Overweight To Start Boxing

You're Not Too Old/Weak/Overweight To Start Boxing

A Day In The Life Of Olympic Swimmer Emma McKeon

A Day In The Life Of Olympic Swimmer Emma McKeon

{headline}

{headline}

The Secret Life Of Ellie Cole

The Secret Life Of Ellie Cole

Olympic Swimmer Emily Seebohm On What It’s Like Living With Endometriosis

Olympic Swimmer Emily Seebohm On What It’s Like Living With Endometriosis

These Are The Best Adventure Destinations Of 2018

These Are The Best Adventure Destinations Of 2018

Campbell Sister Rivalry: Cate And Bronte Spill What It's Like To Swim Against Each Other

Campbell Sister Rivalry: Cate And Bronte Spill What It's Like To Swim Against Each Other

5 Iconic Aussie Athletes On What Has To Happen For Equality To Be Achieved

5 Iconic Aussie Athletes On What Has To Happen For Equality To Be Achieved

The 5 Swimwear Trends Set To Dominate In 2021

The 5 Swimwear Trends Set To Dominate In 2021

We’re Back, Baby!

We’re Back, Baby!

  1. Home
  2. Travel

The Fit Girls' Guide To Darwin*

*Crocs may be involved. - by Lizza Gebilagin
  • 28 Sep 2019
The Fit Girls' Guide To Darwin*
Tourism NT/Shaana McNaught

“You’ve got a lot of heart. You’re a fighter, darl! We love you. Now bring that belt home!”

I felt a rush of excitement as I hung up the call. On the line was Johnny Lewis, Australia’s most successful boxing trainer. Even though I’d only been doing a couple of bag-work sessions a week with him in the past months, he made the effort to call and deliver the kind of pre-fight talk he is well-known for – words that have gotten champs such as Jeff Fenech and Kostya Tszyu in the headspace for their world title matches. It meant everything to me.

lizza_marie View Profile
112 likes - View Post on Instagram
Arafura Games, here I come! 🔥 A massive thank you to @womenshealthaus for sponsoring me to help get me to Darwin and compete in my first multinational competition. I'm forever grateful! And as always a big thanks to my coach, @ben_savva_boxing, hubby/s&c coach @bradtinklin and the rest of #teamsavva (including @boxer_ruiz who's holding pads for me in the vid), for getting me fight ready. Only 10 days to go 👊🏽 . . . . #regram @boxer_ruiz #arafuragames19 #teamsavva #boxing #femalefighter #womensboxing #teamnsw #boxingaustralia #womenwhofight #womenwhobox #fitness #fighting #fighter #womeninsport #whwins

I was in Darwin, competing in my first international boxing tournament at the Arafura Games. Everything I’d been working towards in the past three years was coming together. I was fitter and stronger at 37 than I’d ever felt. I was focused and calm. I felt sharp. I had support behind me (shout-out to WH and TFE Hotels!). There were no belts to take home – I hadn’t wanted to interrupt Johnny’s flow on the phone – but medals. I was certain I’d get to show him mine when I got back to Sydney.

Lizza Gebilagin's story in the August issue of Women's Health Australia
Lizza Gebilagin's story in the August issue of Women's Health Australia

But, as life isn’t a Hollywood movie, the boxing tournament didn’t turn out as I’d hoped. (I'm gonna skip the details here, because I wrote about it in the August issue of Women's Health). On the bright side, though, it meant I had time to explore, which doesn’t usually happen when I travel for boxing comps. Lucky for me, Darwin had plenty of kJ-burning activities to keep me entertained.

vibehotels View Profile
31 likes - View Post on Instagram
With a view this beautiful, why would you ever stay anywhere else other than Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront on your next trip to the Northern Territory? Photo @adamtache #TFEHotels #VibeHotels #Travel #Travelling #Accomodation #Darwin #NT #NorthernTerritory #Blue #Monday #Views

Staying cool

My home base was Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront with views of the wave lagoon (a protected area where you can swim without any crocs annoying you) and only a short walk to the CBD. Location = perfect. Although as close as I was to the wave lagoon, even more convenient was Vibe’s pool and gym downstairs, which also happened to be in very close proximity to Curve Café and Bar where the buffet breakfast was served. You know how it is: train hard, eat harder. That’s an actual saying, right?

Lizza Gebilagin in Litchfield National Park
Lizza Gebilagin in Litchfield National Park

Exploring nature

You can’t leave Darwin without heading out of the city and exploring the national parks. My highlight? The Litchfield National Park tour by Offroad Dreaming, where I hiked then swam at Wangi Falls and Florence Falls, and also saw crocs up close on the Victoria River on a private crocodile cruise!

Esplanade Stairs in Darwin
Esplanade Stairs in Darwin

Keeping fit

One day while I was exploring the city, I found a set of stairs that began near Darwin’s Deckchair Outdoor Cinema and went up to Bicentennial Park. I noticed the locals were having a great old time (read: they looked like they were dying) running up and down, so I thought I’d join them one morning (if you want to pretend to be a local for real, they go on a weekly 5km parkrun on Saturdays at 7am). Ten laps in and the pain was real but the view at the top was glorious. And so was the buffet breakfast after that, which I should add, I could totally gorge on because I didn't have to make weight for anymore boxing fights! In all honesty, it might not have been the experience I'd set out for, but my trip to Darwin ended up being exactly what I needed.

  • Women In Sport
  • Travel
Lizza Gebilagin
Lizza Gebilagin
Lizza Gebilagin is Women's Health deputy editor by day and boxer by night (and early morning). Prior to joining the team, she was deputy editor of body+soul, Cleo and Dolly magazines. She's also represented the NSW state boxing team at national level competitions and is currently completing her Certificate III in Fitness.

Subscribe Now-

Subscribe Now
Subscribe Now

Subscribe Now-

Subscribe Now
Subscribe Now

Recommended to you

This Simple, Effective Ab Workout Will Shred Your Six-Pack
Watch 0:23

This Simple, Effective Ab Workout Will Shred Your Six-Pack

{headline}

{headline}

Cate Campbell On How "Choking" At Rio Has Changed Her Perception Of Success

Cate Campbell On How "Choking" At Rio Has Changed Her Perception Of Success

'I Went From Boxercise To The Boxing Ring In Just Six Weeks'

'I Went From Boxercise To The Boxing Ring In Just Six Weeks'

How To Holiday Like A Skiing Pro

How To Holiday Like A Skiing Pro

Holiday Like A Muay Thai Fighter

Holiday Like A Muay Thai Fighter

{headline}

{headline}

Cate Campbell Is The 2018 Women’s Health Sportswoman Of The Year

Cate Campbell Is The 2018 Women’s Health Sportswoman Of The Year

You're Not Too Old/Weak/Overweight To Start Boxing

You're Not Too Old/Weak/Overweight To Start Boxing

A Day In The Life Of Olympic Swimmer Emma McKeon

A Day In The Life Of Olympic Swimmer Emma McKeon

{headline}

{headline}

The Secret Life Of Ellie Cole

The Secret Life Of Ellie Cole

Olympic Swimmer Emily Seebohm On What It’s Like Living With Endometriosis

Olympic Swimmer Emily Seebohm On What It’s Like Living With Endometriosis

These Are The Best Adventure Destinations Of 2018

These Are The Best Adventure Destinations Of 2018

Campbell Sister Rivalry: Cate And Bronte Spill What It's Like To Swim Against Each Other

Campbell Sister Rivalry: Cate And Bronte Spill What It's Like To Swim Against Each Other

5 Iconic Aussie Athletes On What Has To Happen For Equality To Be Achieved

5 Iconic Aussie Athletes On What Has To Happen For Equality To Be Achieved

The 5 Swimwear Trends Set To Dominate In 2021

The 5 Swimwear Trends Set To Dominate In 2021

We’re Back, Baby!

We’re Back, Baby!

WomensHealth
  • About Paragon Media
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Statement
  • Contact Paragon Media
  • Contact
  • Subscribe to Digital
  • About Paragon Media
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Statement
  • Contact Paragon Media
  • Contact
  • Subscribe to Digital

Brands

Our Network

  • Paragon Media Pty Ltd
  • Men’s Health
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe Now-

Shop This Offer
Subscribe Now