Pitcher of good health

Danae Cornford is at her happiest when she is fit.

With a background as a qualified school teacher and personal trainer, Danae wanted to combine all her passions to help people become the healthiest and happiest versions of themselves.

Danae has turned this happiness into a thriving program — HappyWhenFit.

HappyWhenFit is an Australian youth and community health program designed to educate, inspire and empower people with the tools to be healthy.

Danae designed the program around the “three pillars of health” — nutrition, mental health and fitness.

“Working in health classes with kids as a teacher is what brought to my attention that there was a need for more practical hands-on approach to the health outcomes,” she said.

“That is where the idea started, and I took some time off teaching to get the program together.

It all stems from community and being a part of that is what contributes to helping to bridge the gap between health education and implementation of healthy behaviours.

“I kind of wish I had this approach to health and nutrition when I was younger and in school,” she said.

In the past Danae competed in bodybuilding competitions and credits a lot of her learning to the research she put into this training.

“My interest just grew in and I would just read a lot about different ways to train and how to fuel my body,” she said.

Growing up in Donnybrook, Danae said she and her sister were always active and loved to be outside.

“I was really fortunate that I grew with the values I did, we always had veggies with every meal and always played sport,” she said.

When Danae isn’t inspiring children or outdoors in nature she can usually be found with a guitar, singing and song-writing in her spare time.

“I am very passionate about music, I play guitar and sing so I do that as a hobby on the side as well,” she said.

“My family was always very musical, so I have always grown up around music and I love it.”

Danae has expanded HappyWhenFit to incorporate community projects such as the HappyWhenFit Youth Health Awards, which awards students for implementing a healthy lifestyle and behaviours.

In the future Danae would love to see HappyWhenFit keep growing and reach more students to empower and educate them to be the healthiest and happiest version of themselves.

“I hope to see it get bigger and to a point where I can hire more people to spread the HappyWhenFit message,” she said.

Danae is always smiling and her passion is contagious, she is most definitely happy when sharing her health message.