Anita Desmet - Certified Trainer, Fitness Instructor & Nutrition Coach

18/09/2026

Another day in Calabria… and I’m starting to get suspicious that I could actually get used to this life! 😂🇮🇹

A beautifully relaxing morning waking naturally with the sun ☀️ — no alarm, no rushing, just warm weather and nowhere I absolutely have to be. Bliss. ❤️

I’ve even established my Italian morning routine because apparently I’m still a creature of habit wherever I am:

💧 Big glass of water
🌿 Spirulina
☕ Espresso
💩 You know what… 😂
🥣 Greek yoghurt, fruit & my psyllium husk mix

And yes… a little bit of work snuck in there too. I can’t completely switch off! 🤦‍♀️😂
Then Nadia kindly offered to take me to the real estate agent to have a wee look at some properties. 🏡👀

I suspect she was quite happy to be behind the wheel after experiencing me and Bessie yesterday! 😂🚗💨

We did a bit of sightseeing around this gorgeous town, stopped at the beach so I could put my feet in that ridiculously clear, beautiful water 🌊😍 and once again I thought… how bloody lucky am I?

I caught up with Di & Allan on a call ❤️, then decided it was FAR too hot not to go for a swim.

September, apparently. 🥵🇮🇹 Far out, bean sprout!

I bravely parked near a “free beach”… only to discover that free beach does NOT necessarily mean free parking. 🤦‍♀️💸😂 FFS -ticket.

Anyway, I sat on the beach wall scouting out a spot, noticed two ladies who looked like they might speak English and thought I might just stroll on down and plant myself next to them.....after eavesdropping and hearing approximately two English words, I boldly jumped in…“Do you speak English?”

And boom… we were away! 😂

We chatted for ages about how they ended up here, the wonderful expat community and life in Calabria.

They’ve even invited me along to dinner tomorrow night with other expats, somewhere up in the mountains. 🥂⛰️

Safe? 🤔 Maybe.

Slightly random? Absolutely. 😂

Am I going? Yep! 😂

I’m trusting that it will all be just fine… and if not, it’s been lovely knowing you all. 😂❤️

Now it’s time for my creature-of-habit dinner — chicken, salad and a vino rosso. 🍷🥗

I think of you all every day as I leap a little further into this unknown adventure.

Much love from Calabria ❤️🇮🇹
Anita xx

18/09/2026

16/09/2026

A chill day, out for a runabout with my new yellow bestie Bessie… and discovering my NEW FAVOURITE THING! 🇮🇹💛😂

Some days are just for chilling.

Who would have thought? Me… learning to roll with my feels, slow down and actually be okay with not having to do all the things. 😌

Another absolute stunner of a day here in Calabria. ☀️🇮🇹

School is back, it’s midweek, so I thought I’d clock up a bit more experience on these Italian roads and get a little more comfortable before I pick up Ange and Mark from the station next week.

I was secretly hoping I wouldn’t literally run into Crazy Moped Guy again. 😂 Fortunately… NOPE. Clear sailing. I’ve got this! 🚗💨

I spent a good chunk of the day at my day desk (aka picnic table with an ocean view 🌊😂), sipping espresso, taking in the scenery and actually getting some work and study done.

YES, I was working.

But not hard. 😉

Now, I’m pretty sure we all discover a new favourite thing at different stages of our lives.

For me, it was my $59 leaf blower when I moved back to Australia. 🍂😂

Then came my pool, when summer decided to turn the temperature dial to “bloody ridiculous” and we were hitting the high 30s. 🏊‍♀️🔥

And NOW…

NOW IT’S A BIDET.

🚽💦😂

I’ve been to Europe a few times and, until now, I’d never been brave enough to give one a whirl.

“Righto… how complicated can washing your bum actually be?” 😂

Turns out… not very.

And bloody hell… how good are these things?!

Clean as a whistle. Fresh as a daisy. 😂💦

Although I will admit… there was a little unexpected tickle the first time. 😳🤣

I’m now seriously questioning why Australia hasn’t got behind this sooner.

I came to Italy looking for beautiful villages, good food, community, sunshine and a possible future…

And I’ve apparently found the bidet.

Priorities change. 😂🇮🇹

Not too much to report today, but another lovely reminder that slowing down and looking after yourself really is a blessing for the soul.

And getting out there and experiencing life expands the mind, body and soul.

You just never know where your next adventure — or favourite thing — is going to come from. ❤️

Righto… time for an afternoon snackie and a wee aperitivo. 🍷🫒

Ciao for now, much love,
Anita x 🇮🇹❤️

15/09/2026

Learning to holiday… apparently it’s a skill. 😂🇮🇹

My online client didn’t happen this morning, so I thought… school holidays are over, let’s go explore the beach in San Nicola Arcella!

Off I went in Bessie the bright yellow FIAT. 🚗💛

The narrow, windy roads down to the beach were a little hairy-scary, but I braved it and felt pretty bloody proud of myself.

Then I parked in what I thought was a perfectly innocent spot at an accommodation resort.

Yeah… nah. 😂

“Signorina! Qui non c’è assolutamente parcheggio! Sposti!”

Translation: “Lady, MOVE YOUR CAR!” 🤣

So I moved.

Feeling slightly embarrassed, I headed back up the mountain, starting to feel rather smug about my Italian driving skills…

Until a bloke on a moped came screaming around the corner ON MY SIDE OF THE ROAD straight at me.

FAAAAARRRRKKKK! 😳😂

I nearly had kittens.

He swerved, nearly came off his bike, then looked at me like I was the problem.

FFS. 🤦‍♀️

I’m also swearing considerably more since arriving in Italy. Coincidence? 😂

So I went home, had a snack and… had a nap. 😴

And honestly, that might have been the best part of my day.

I’ve been feeling pretty burnt out lately, and normally I’d find it incredibly difficult to stop and sleep during the day.

But I opened my bedroom windows, looked out at the pomegranate trees, cactus and herbs… and drifted into the most beautiful sleep. 🌿☀️

Later, I explored some beautiful properties with my new Italian friends — who have been incredibly kind and welcoming. 🏡❤️

I’m slowly learning that being on holiday doesn’t mean I need to be productive every bloody minute.

Rest isn’t laziness.

And switching off work mode when you’ve spent years being switched ON…

is bloody hard.

But I’m learning. ❤️

One beach adventure, near-death moped experience and nap at a time. 😂🇮🇹

Just keeping it real and taking you along for the ride.

I hope you’re all well
Much Love, Anita x

14/09/2026

THE BRIGHT IDEA OF RENTING A CAR IN ITALY! 🇮🇹🚗😂

Loving this trip so far. The beauty and serenity of Calabria is simply out of this world. 🌿☀️🇮🇹

There is one small issue though… you really do need wheels to get out and about.

So, because I’m not particularly good at sitting still, I thought, “Hmmm… I’ll rent a wee scooter!” 🛵

Alessia, my beautiful host, called around for me and discovered it was actually cheaper to rent a little car than a scooter. 🤷‍♀️

Perfect! Independence, freedom, no need to bother Nadia driving me around… happy days! 🚗

That was until this morning when Nadia casually mentioned…

“It’s a manual.”

HOLY SH*TBALLS. 😳😂

My heart started pounding and I’m pretty sure I was about to either s**t my pants or throw up.

It’s been about 35 years since I drove a manual — my trusty 1976 Toyota Corolla — AND I’d be driving on the other side of the road, on narrow Italian streets, with sparse signage, in a country I barely know.

Yep… brilliant idea, Anita. 😂

So I did a little breathwork to calm my nervous system, had a word with myself…

“Settle petal. You’ve been through bigger challenges than driving a wee car in Southern Italy.”

And off I went.

Nadia wisely suggested I follow her for a coffee. ☕😂

I felt like a teenager again on my restricted licence!

AND… I DIDN’T STALL ONCE. 🙌

Well… not until I got back to the villa. 😂

Then I got brave and went out on my own.

Got lost once ✔️
Couldn't figure out reverse ✔️
Found the town ✔️
Found the grocery store ✔️
Had a crack at speaking Italian ✔️
Made it back in one piece ✔️

I’m calling that a WIN! 😂🇮🇹

And honestly, I’m already feeling a whole lot of growth on this trip.

Sometimes you just have to get uncomfortable, take a breath and bloody well have a go.

Even when your brain is screaming…

“WHAT THE F**K ARE YOU DOING?!” 😂

And through all of this, I keep coming back to how incredibly grateful I am to Alessia and Nadia at Villa Andrea. ❤️

Their hospitality has been absolutely NEXT LEVEL. Nothing is too much trouble and I have felt so welcomed from the moment I arrived.

If you’re planning a trip to Calabria, I genuinely cannot recommend this beautiful place highly enough. 🏡🇮🇹❤️

📸 Villa Andrea Instagram:


Never a dull moment… and I wouldn’t have it any other way. ❤️😂

Much love always,
Anita xx 🇮🇹

06/09/2026

💪𝗜 𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀…𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗼𝘂𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻'𝘁😂

As most of you know, I’m heading overseas soon for the next few weeks ✈️🌍

But before I disappear, I’ve been busy behind the scenes making sure my crew are still looked after while I’m away!

I’ve put together 8 weeks of workouts that will be posted inside our private Facebook group so you can keep moving, training and staying consistent until I’m back.

If you were part of our 14-Day Reset to Rise Challenge, you may already be in the group — so you're good to go.

If you’re one of my current clients and you’re not already in there, make sure you let me know so I can get you added before the workouts begin.

There’ll be a mix of strength, cardio, core, functional fitness, mobility and recovery, with options to modify the workouts to suit where you’re at.💪

And don't think because I'm on the other side of the world that you can slack off…

I'll still be watching from overseas 👀😂

If you need access to the private group, comment “𝗜’𝗠 𝗜𝗡” below or send me a message, and I’ll get you sorted.

No excuses, team. Let’s keep moving while I’m away!❤️

𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲,
𝗔𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗮 𝘅𝘅
𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵