The Rebuild: Crafting Strength, Resilience, and Dreams

Hi, I’m Ashtyn. Chef by trade. Runner by passion. Dreamer by design. My life is a delicate balancing act—a blend of intense kitchen shifts, relentless training sessions, and reflective moments that fuel my growth. This blog isn’t just about running or cooking; it’s a journey of resilience, reinvention, and chasing the spark of something bigger than myself.

Let me take you on this journey—from where I’ve been, to where I’m going, and why I believe we all have the power to rebuild.

From the Kitchen to the Finish Line

Most of my days start before sunrise. As a chef in a small country town café, I pour my heart into crafting meals that bring joy to others. It’s a fast-paced world of sizzling pans, precision knife skills, and the satisfaction of seeing someone enjoy something I’ve created. But when the day winds down, my focus shifts entirely.

The chef’s hat comes off, and the running shoes go on. For me, running is more than fitness—it’s clarity, discipline, and freedom rolled into one. It’s where I find my rhythm, where I connect with my dreams, and where I challenge myself to push beyond limits, I once believed were immovable.

The Detour and the Comeback

Fitness has always been my anchor. I’ve coached others, competed in races, and lived for the endorphin rush that comes with movement. But like any journey, mine hasn’t been linear. Somewhere along the way, I lost sight of what mattered. The pressures of life pulled me off track, and for a while, I let go of the things that made me feel alive.

The turning point wasn’t a grand epiphany—it was a quiet realization. One day, I laced up my running shoes and stepped outside. It wasn’t about speed or distance; it was about taking the first step back to myself. And that’s where the rebuild began not with grand gestures, but with consistent, intentional effort.

The Hybrid Athlete Blueprint

Today, I’m chasing something bigger than running alone. I’m building myself into a hybrid athlete—someone who balances strength, endurance, and resilience.

My training is deliberate:

Running: I’m in the thick of a 10km time trial training block. Each week, I push myself to be faster and stronger, logging miles that challenge both my body and mind.
Strength: On top of running, I incorporate strength training to build a body that can endure not just the miles but the rigors of life. A strong foundation is everything.
Resilience: This isn’t just about physical toughness—it’s about the mental grit to keep going when the excitement wears off and the grind sets in.

The ultimate goal? To complete my first half-marathon in 2025. But it’s more than just crossing the finish line—it’s about proving to myself what’s possible when discipline meets vision.

Sunshine Coast State of Mind

There’s something magical about the Sunshine Coast. It’s where I’ve planted roots and found inspiration. The ocean, with its relentless waves and soothing rhythm, serves as a metaphor for my own journey. Just like the tides, life ebbs and flows—but the key is to keep moving forward.

On days when training feels hard, I head to the beach. The sound of the waves, the salty air, and the endless horizon remind me to breathe, reset, and keep going. The coastal lifestyle isn’t just where I live; it’s a source of grounding and inspiration that keeps me connected to my goals.

The Chef’s Perspective: Fueling the Journey

Being a chef isn’t just a profession; it’s a mindset—a way of seeing food as an opportunity to create, nourish, and connect. This perspective weaves seamlessly into my approach to fitness and life. It’s about simplicity, intentionality, and respect for the process, both in the kitchen and beyond.

The kitchen has taught me the beauty of fresh, simple ingredients. When you let the flavors speak for themselves, there’s no need for over-complication. The same principle applies to everything I do: whether it’s designing a training plan or chasing a dream, the best results come when you focus on what truly matters.

Every meal, like every workout, is built from the ground up. It starts with quality—the ingredients, the preparation, the care you put in. Food isn’t just fuel; it’s an expression of balance and thoughtfulness. It’s about finding harmony in the basics: freshness, simplicity, and letting each element shine on its own.

This mindset keeps me grounded. Whether I’m running, working, or navigating life’s challenges, I approach it with the same philosophy I use in the kitchen: start with the best you have, take your time, and let the result reflect your care and effort.

That’s how I fuel my journey—not just with food, but with an attitude that values quality, patience, and purpose.

Sharing the Journey

I’ve worn many hats in my life: chef, coach, athlete, and dreamer. Now, I’m weaving those roles into a personal brand that’s all about resilience and reinvention.

What I share is raw and real:

Training Tips: Insights on how to train smarter, not harder.
Food for Fuel: Recipes designed for busy people chasing big goals.
Reflections: The gritty, unfiltered truths about what it takes to build a life you’re proud of.

This isn’t about perfection or glossy highlights—it’s about showing up, even when it’s messy, and celebrating the small wins that lead to big victories.

Balancing Dreams and Reality

Life is full. I work five days a week, train every day, and carve out time for personal growth. It’s easy to look at a packed schedule and think, “I don’t have time.” But I’ve learned that time is created by prioritizing what matters.

In the quiet moments—before the world wakes up or after the last plate is served—that’s where the magic happens. It’s in choosing to run when you’d rather rest, to write when you feel uninspired, and to believe in your vision even when it feels far away.

The rebuild isn’t about grand gestures; it’s about stacking small, consistent actions. Day by day, brick by brick.

Why I’m Here

This blog is more than a diary—it’s a call to action. It’s proof that reinvention is possible, no matter where you are in life. I’m not just a chef, a runner, or a writer. I’m someone who’s building something bigger: a story of resilience, ambition, and authenticity.

I want this space to inspire others:

To start when it feels hard.
To restart when you’ve fallen off track.
To believe in the power of reinvention.

Through writing, coaching, and connecting, I’m creating a roadmap for anyone navigating their own comeback.

Let’s Run Together

Whether you’re an athlete chasing a PR, a foodie looking for inspiration, or someone searching for that spark to begin again, I want you to join me. This journey isn’t just about me—it’s about building a community that celebrates progress, embraces challenges, and shows up no matter what.

Let’s run together. Let’s celebrate the small wins. Let’s keep moving forward—one step, one story, one dream at a time.