HAILEY Maxwell of Kareela, 33, has a good reason to have become a fitness ambassador: her beloved grand-mother suffers from dementia.
As a representative of the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, (CHeBA) UNSW Medicine, she sees her role as making people "aware how important exercise is not only for physical health but for the quality of life as you grow older".
She supports the CHeBA's Professor Perminder Sachdev's view that "about half the risk of dementia is related to lifestyle factors, and exercise may be the most important protective factor for ageing brains".
She describes her own journey towards understanding dementia, of which Alzheimer's is one type.
"When my grandmother started forgetting how to do everyday tasks like dressing herself, it really hit home," Ms Maxwell said.
"Nan was diagnosed with Alzheimer's.
"I know our family is not alone in dealing with this situation, but it's so hard to watch someone you love disappear in front of your own eyes, and struggle with every action, every decision, every thought, every day."
It was after her nan didn't remember how to feed herself that "a lot of little things all added up", Ms Maxwell said.
"My mother went into the hospital three times a day to feed her."
By day, Ms Maxwell works in a city accounting company and as an ambassador, she aims to raise awareness of people in the community, particularly younger people, about exercise.
Describing herself as "a natural athlete," Ms Maxwell has increased her own exercise momentum — not only propelling herself into more physical activity, but also encouraging others to do the same.
She is a member/past member of various running clubs and completed her personal training certificate in 2012.
"Being fit and healthy is a way of life, it's not a phase we go through, it's a lifestyle choice."
So far Ms Maxwell has raised $10,750 for CHeBA to become its second-highest individual fund-raiser.
Professors Henry Brodaty and Perminder Sachdev of CHeBA are running alongside Ms Maxwell in the Sun-Herald City2Surf on August 10. A team of 100 people is expected to run with them.
Details: cheba.unsw.edu.au
