My Story

I have always loved sports. Growing up, I spent a lot of time outdoors — climbing trees and playing table tennis with other children. I swam in a sports club for a year and played handball for more than 20 years, right up until both of my children were born.

Through sports injuries, I began doing specific recovery and strengthening exercises prescribed by a specialist. I recovered well and returned to playing handball.

Fast forward to October 2011. At that time, I had been living in Perth, WA for just a year and was ready to start exercising regularly again. One day, I went to the library with my children and saw a flyer that said, “Be on the river, paddle and watch the sunset.” (That’s how I remember it.) I thought, That sounds great. I called, went to training, and took up watersports.

In late October or November, the first competition came up, and I decided to take part. My in-laws were visiting from Germany, and my mother-in-law joined me that day. We packed sandwiches, fruit, and water. I thought that would be enough — and if we needed anything else, we could buy it there.

It was a hot day. I raced in six to eight events, finishing with a 2km race in the afternoon — the biggest heat of the day. I ate my sandwich and fruit, drank water, and bought one or two Gatorades. I didn’t feel like eating the sausages and buns and muffins they offered on site.

By the end of the competition, I had eaten very little, taken in too few electrolytes, and drunk

Karin Zitzmann My Story

too much water. My stomach felt very bloated, but when I tried to go to the toilet, nothing happened.

We drove home. I ate something but still couldn’t go to the toilet and was feeling more and more tired. My husband was on his way to Singapore, and I was home with my two children and my in-laws. They went to play cards with my son, and I said I would rest for a while. I asked my then 16-year-old daughter to check on me in an hour.

I put my feet up and fell asleep on the couch.

The next thing I remember was a face in front of me saying, “You are in Royal Perth Hospital.” I thought I was dreaming and closed my eyes again. This happened a few times until I finally realised: This is not a dream — this is real. I was in hospital.

Doctors and nurses came and gave me a quick recap of what had happened. My daughter had found me unconscious. They told me that if she had found me 15 minutes later, I would not have survived. My husband was called from the doctors, as he was about to leave Singapore airport. He was being told, to come back home to see me - but it might could be too late by the time he will arrive in Perth.

Then I saw my husband sitting next to me, saying he is so happy he stayed, as he was about to leave to go home for a shower and get changed. I just replied: " Why are you not in Singapore?" Doctors came, talked, asked questions and tested a couple of things.

The doctors explained that I had been diagnosed with water poisoning — drinking too much water without replacing electrolytes properly. The excess water had flushed out my electrolytes, and my body held on to the fluid.

I survived. I recovered. Slowly, I returned to my normal routine and carefully rebuilt my strength at the gym.

Then, in 2016, I found a small lump in my right breast after training while drying myself off. My finger caught on it. I was so lucky to notice it.

I went to see my GP and received a referral for a scan and MRI. After the imaging, I was told I needed a biopsy. A few days later, the biopsy was done, and I waited for the results. A week later, my GP told me the result was positive — I had cancer.

I was referred to a specialist and surgeon. A week later, I had surgery. The waiting in between was awful.

The day of surgery came, two or three lymphnodes were taken and sent to the laboratory on site to check if the cancer had spreaded. Luckily it didn't. The surgeon removed the little cancerous tumor, it was just above a mm, took tissue samples from the surrounding areas to get them tested. After a week of waiting, everything came back negative. Yeah. What a relive. They found that I had the cancer which "just can happen". The other type of breast cancer is caused by female hormones. So Lucky again. After everything was healed, I had radiotherapy. As my cancer was so little and didn't spread, I didn't need chemotherapy. I finished of radiotherapy just in time for my holiday in Germany, celebrating Christmas and new years with my family and friends. It was a very special Christmas after all I went through before. Especially knowing all went really well. In March 2017, I quit my full time office job. I never was really happy there, and I felt it was not the environment for me to work in. I thought that after 4 weeks into the job, but thought, it might improve and I didn't want to give up that quick. Then I tried to find a new job, which was difficult at that time. So I quit, when my body was screaming, ran down and needed a break. Too late! I was diagnosed with psychosis, seeing a psychologist, and then went into hospital first. I was treated for it, had tablets, and after hospital I meet with special groups, a psychologist, and psychiatrist to talk and work through everything. I recovered fully, and after one year of tablets, my psychiatrist and I slowly lowered the dosis until I didn't need them anymore.

Then, in 2017, my first yearly breast check up was due. They found something in the same breast! So it was a biopsy, waiting for the results again. They came back negative. I was so happy. It was only scar tissue.

When I felt better, I decided to change career, and not going back into an office. As I always loved sports, I chose to study Pilates. Enrolled in a course, studied Anatomy first, then mat Pilates and reformer Pilates. Worked in Pilates Studios, Physio with a Pilates studio and had my own community mat classes.

After 18 months, that was during covid, I articulated to the full Diploma of Pilates Instruction. I was happy I had the workexperience before. I could refer to so many things I experienced in my classes, where I can support people better.

This is my story, how I became a Pilates Instructor and since 2022, Pilates studio owner as well of "Keep Moving Pilates", I have been running ever since.

My story stands behind the name. It means a lot to me.

PS.: I know it is not easy going through life experiences and set backs. Not being able to do the Things You love to do. But we all have the ability in us to go through those things.

You have to Keep Moving. I kept moving - sometimes slow - sometimes faster. I learned not too stick with things. Learned to take alternative routes.

Change comes from moving and working through experiences, situations and pain.

Change comes from consistently working, training, practising.

Change comes when you keep moving.

A special thanks to my family. We sometimes forget that these experiences are traumatic for them as well. Thanks for your support.

I hope my post inspires others in the same situation.

Don't give up - talk about it - process it - work on it - and get better!

Get support!