Telia Tonkin is proof that champions rise out of adversity after more than halving her body weight and winning a state weight lifting title.
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Telia is a born and bred Kyabramite and well known in the area as a talented sportswoman in several disciplines — including netball, tennis and swimming.
After a series of decade-long life challenges she reduced her weight from 160kg to 70kg and won the Queensland Masters State Titles in 2015.
While living in Kyabram, Telia qualified as a school teacher and worked at the same school she attended as a child.
Although she loved working with her students she had always had a goal of becoming a police officer.
In 2003 Telia made the move to Queensland, frustrated by the lengthy waiting time for entry into the police academy in Victoria.
While training at the Queensland academy, she injured her knee after falling off a high fence, her surgeon delivering the news that her knee was not going to be good enough to stand up to general policing duties.
During her rehabilitation period Telia was placed at her first station on 000 and radio duties.
Struggling with this news that her dream of joining the police was gone, Telia gained a significant amount of weight.
Three years after the move to Queensland she was officially placed in her role as a 000 operator — the first of several turning points in her life.
She discovered she enjoyed working under pressure and had the ability to remain calm in a crisis.
“Being a 000 operator is exciting, it gives you an adrenaline rush when it’s busy or there is a major incident, but it is also exhausting,” Telia said.
A failed marriage, leaving her a single parent to two children under two years of age impacted her life severely, to the point where she eventually weighed 160kg.
She admits it was binge eating that brought her to this point. Food had always been her “go to” solution when she was struggling with emotional issues and depression.
The addiction is something that she battles with daily. It was at this time she had a “lightbulb” moment.
“I thought to myself, how can I possibly be the best role model for my kids at this weight?”
Hence the start of a remarkable journey.
She began walking, then moved on to jogging. After losing 20kg she made the inspiring decision to run a half marathon and, eventually, reduced her weight to 70kg — completing the 2km challenge.
Crossfit was next on Telia’s agenda, but she soon realised she was a lot better at lifting weights than the gymnastics component of crossfit.
In May 2019 Telia and her children moved to Brisbane and began at Molyfit in November of that year.
She joined Milton Weightlifting Club and now has personal bests for the snatch (45kg) and 55kg for the clean and jerk.
In 2020 she was number one for 45-49 years females in Queensland and Australia and last year became number three in the Commonwealth and Oceania.
When I asked her which result she was most proud of, Telia said it was returning to Melbourne for the 2017 National Titles and winning silver.
“It was great to return to Victoria and lift so well in front of my best friends.”
She said weightlifting had helped her focus on her health, both mentally and physically.
“The weightlifting community is the most positive and supportive sporting community I’ve ever been part of and I’ve been involved in a lot of sports over the years,” she said.
“I enjoy the challenge, the training and remaining focused on my goals. The part I least enjoy is pulling up sore after a big session,” Telia said.
Telia is still walking and aims for 20,000 steps each day.
In July 2021 she joined two friends and completed the Kokoda Challenge, a 52km walk through the bush with plenty of hills which took them just over 14 hours.
“It was tough, but we did it.”
Telia’s son Connor has been inspired by his mother, aiming to participate at the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane as a weightlifter.
Connor began weightlifting on his eighth birthday, in December 2019, and has dedicated himself to training.
Connor, 10, has competed in more than 10 competitions now — at under-13 level, as that is the lowest age group at competitions.
He is currently ranked third in Queensland.
Telia’s daughter Ruby prefers to participate in dance, but also does gymnastics.
Although not weightlifting, Ruby plays an important role in Telia and Connor’s support team.
Telia now has her own weightlifting coaching business, called Hot Tips Lifting Coaching.
“I just want to make a difference and watch the youth achieve. We all need to start somewhere and I’d love to train someone from scratch.”
Having coached Telia as a junior representative and A-grade senior netballer, I have always been proud of her.
Knowing the journey she has been on during the last 20 years only makes me more proud.
She chose to be the best version of herself for her children and is doing just that. Not only is Telia a genuine talent, but she is brave and a spokesperson for mental health in the hope it helps others.
She has been a guest on Narelle Fraser’s podcast, which shines a light on mental health.
Telia is now looking forward to competing at the 2022 nationals to be held in Melbourne in September.
Keep your eyes and ears open for the names Telia and Connor Tonkin. You never know, come 2032, Connor might be weightlifting at the Brisbane Olympics, coached by his mum Telia with sister Ruby there as team management — if she isn’t too busy dancing, that is.
Features writer