A HEART condition was never going to stop Chantal Quinn from competing in this year’s Run For a Reason.
The Southern River resident was born with Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD), a hole in her heart separating the two lower chambers, which causes high heart pressure and reduced oxygen to the body.
Ms Quinn said doctors told her the condition meant she would always struggle with exercising.
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READ NOW“The doctors always said the hole would close, I get a check-up every three years but it hasn’t got any smaller,” she said.
However, Ms Quinn has refused to let her condition define her and has dedicated her life to improving her own fitness.
Since her fitness journey began, she has lost more than 40kg and currently owns Earn the Burn gym in Forrestdale.
While she admitted VSD posed issues when it came to running, Ms Quinn said nothing stopped her from taking part in the annual Run For a Reason.
“I’m not generally someone who loves running, but it’s the one event I really look forward to doing,” she said.
Ms Quinn completed the 4km run with a group of friends from her gym in 22-and-a-half minutes and said she was inspired to return next year.
“It’s about inspiring people and giving them self-belief. I’ve always though you should do something that scares and excites you,” she said.
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