Faces of Canberra: Schae Zarew

Each week Rachel Moore is on the hunt to find out what makes Canberra special to all the wonderful folks who live here.

The name Schae Zarew might already be familiar to you. In 2016 she was ranked number one in the International Powerlifting Federation 63KG Junior class and is a former body builder. But. Schae’s dedication and hard work is not limited to her lifting achievements.

Schae is studying a BS in Biomedical Science at the University of Canberra and owns the strength based gym The Strength Syndicate in partnership with emboldened women Clair Angel and Liz Craven. She works in the public service and in her spare time is a dedicated and passionate appreciator of ice cream.

There’s more bad news folks, as Schae is absolutely delightful. Schae does everything in her power to lift everyone up around her, in particular women, as high as they will go. You could be forgiven for thinking with all these amazing achievements there may be ego and pride involved. This is 120% not the case. Schae is down to earth, funny, kind and despite her very busy and hectic schedule, always makes time for people who need a chat.

Schae doesn’t value material possessions and despite her impressive and comprehensive list of achievements at such a young age, values compassion, good intentions, transparency and holistic health. Schae encourages us all on a daily basis to take little steps towards our goals, whatever they may be.

If you could do something to shift the way you viewed the world, you could do worse than trying on a pair of Schae coloured glasses for a day. Her inspiration, authenticity and the way she views the world is truly bolstering.

The question Schae asks all of the ACT this week is if you want to have breakfast? I have to say Canberra when Schae Zarew asks you to breakfast… You go!

Name – Schae Zarew.

Age – 22.

Occupation – Public servant/Co-owner of TSS/Powerlifting coach/ Biomedical Science student/Full-time ice cream lover.

How long have you lived in Canberra – my whole life – born and raised!

North, South or Q-town – North, then super south, now southish/northish?… Coombs haha.

Most memorable event attended in the ACT – I saw The Lion King when it first came here when I was really young with my family. I don’t remember much but I know that I absolutely adored it and saw it again in New York last year.

Things you love about Da Berra – The sunsets here are absolutely incredible and the open space is equally as amazing to me. I am big on outdoors so I’ve always loved that I can leave my front door or go for a short drive and be in the open. I also really enjoy how quiet it is. Whenever I spend a few days in Sydney I realise how much I love the vibe CBR has.

What you loathe about the city – How bloody cold it gets sometimes! But I can’t complain too much about it haha, I’m still here.

Most cherished memory in the capital – I honestly don’t think I have a most cherished memory as much as I just had a really great upbringing here which I cherish more than anything. Like I said, I love the outdoors and that definitely comes from the fact my parents got my brothers and I out and about a whole bunch.

Which Canberra local do you most admire and why – She isn’t famous or anything like that, but I work at a hospital in health and the CNC I work with is hands-down one of the admirable human’s beings I have ever come across. No matter what the day throws at her she always has a smile on her face and is honestly just so selfless. All the while she still gets her work done to the best standard possible and is just respected. It’s amazing. Admiration for one’s achievements, in my opinion, doesn’t really mean a whole bunch or isn’t inspiring to me if they aren’t a good human whilst doing so.

Most precious item you own – My pup (although not really an item haha). I don’t have a whole bunch of material things to be honest. But I do have a dog that is my little ray of sunshine and a constant reminder of how pleasant the present is.

First Canberra kiss and where – It was at the end of my street when I was in year 6 and wasn’t cute or romantic at all haha – just my friends daring my then super nervous boyfriend to kiss a super nervous me. So for all the girls who have a less than movie-like first kiss, hello, welcome to the gang.

Most delicious Berra place you adore eating at – I’m a big fan of breakfast so I’m going to have to say The Cupping Room, and when the weather is warm, Local Press on the Kingston foreshore.

What do you want to be when you grow up – I’m still trying to figure it out to be honest. I put off university for a long time because I didn’t know what I wanted to be and it just paralysed me for years trying to decide something definite like that. So, instead, what I try to do is just keep taking little steps and making baby moves that align with my values, work hard, and just trust that my life will work out. I’ve only figured that out in the past year and a half though, but in that time I’ve starting studying a degree I genuinely enjoy and have opened a gym that I get to do what I adore. I don’t think the target market is young readers coming out of college, but if you are reading this and feel the pressure of life and its big decisions… just slow down and remind yourself that its actually okay and pretty damn normal to be confused about what you ‘want to be when you’re older’. You can be lots of things, just make sure they’re true to you and not influenced solely by things and people that are external. It’s your life. Make sure you love it.

Your social media handles –
Instagram – @beyonschae
Facebook

What is a question you would like to ask everyone in Canberra – Wanna grab breakfast?