Q. Could you briefly introduce yourself?
I was born in 1991, and my name is Jonghwa Lee. I graduated from high school in the Philippines and continued my studies at a local university for about a year. In 2012, I came to Brisbane, Australia on a Working Holiday Visa. What was meant to be just one year for travel and new experiences completely changed the direction of my life.
Australia suited me incredibly well—I loved it so much that I didn’t want to leave. So I transferred to Griffith University to continue my studies properly. Later, I had to return to Korea temporarily for mandatory military service, and after a long break, I came back to Australia again in 2018. Unfortunately, that coincided with the COVID period, which made things difficult. Still, while consistently working at a hotel, I began to seriously reflect on what I truly wanted to do with my life.
Q. What led you to switch from the hotel industry to becoming a personal trainer?
Working in the hotel industry was stable, but it didn’t bring me much fulfillment. As I moved up in position, my responsibilities increased, but I felt there was no real change beyond that. I started asking myself what I genuinely loved and could see myself doing for a long time. Since I had always loved exercising, becoming a personal trainer felt like a natural choice.
Around 2020, I earned my personal training certification and began my career on the Gold Coast. Later, a friend who was opening a gym asked for my help, so I worked three days a week on the Gold Coast and two days in Brisbane. Now, I’ve settled in Brisbane and work five days a week here.
Q. What brings you the greatest sense of reward as a trainer?
My greatest reward comes from seeing my clients feel satisfied with their progress. About 30% of my current clients are Korean, while 70% come from other Asian countries. Since I studied in the Philippines, I adapted to English relatively quickly and now work with clients from many different cultural backgrounds.
Many of my clients in their 40s to 60s come in to maintain their health, while others aim for weight loss or even competition prep. Everyone’s goals are different, but watching their bodies change and seeing their confidence grow is what makes this job so fulfilling.
Q. We heard you achieved great results at a competition last year.
Yes, at the end of 2024, I earned my pro card at a bodybuilding competition. After that, I also took first place in my division at a competition exclusively for pro card holders. I strongly believe that if you pursue a goal consistently, even if you don’t reach it perfectly, you can at least get very close. Winning felt incredibly rewarding and gave me a strong sense of accomplishment.
Q. You must receive many questions about dieting. What realistic advice would you give?
A lot of people ask, “How can I lose weight?” but I believe dieting is not just a goal—it’s a process. The key is understanding how much you eat. You need to calculate the right calorie intake for your body and burn it through appropriate exercise.
You can lose weight just by controlling your diet, but the most ideal approach is to move more and stay active. In all my sessions, I focus on helping my clients understand why they are doing each exercise. Many young clients start with dieting as their main goal, but over time they aim to build muscle and improve overall health. As their ambition grows, some even decide to challenge themselves by entering competitions.
Q. Do you have any future plans or goals?
I’m currently preparing to open my own personal training studio. The goal is to open by the end of November, and it will be about 100 square meters in size. I’m doing everything myself—from painting to interior work. It’s physically tiring, but I see it as another step in my growth, and I’m enjoying the process.
In Australia, I see so many people taking on new challenges, and although I, too, am still on my journey, I truly believe that a clear goal and strong passion are what have brought me this far. It’s not an easy path, but if you have both purpose and passion, I believe anyone can grow in their own place.
Q. Lastly, what advice would you give to those dreaming of a new challenge in Australia?
I started living independently without my parents’ support when I was just 20 years old. I began as a working holiday maker, and now I’m steadily moving toward my dream. I truly believe that even if you’re not exceptionally talented, anyone can dream big in Australia.
What matters more than the type of job you choose is finding something you enjoy and can continue doing consistently. I believe that is true success. My current path is different from my original major, but I’m genuinely satisfied with what I do now. Don’t hesitate in the process of finding what you love—take the leap. A new path will surely open for you.
