WORLD Beauty Fitness Fashion (WBFF) professional athlete Careen Killingbeck is transforming the Tweed with a new fitness facility.

Ms Killingbeck, who spent seven years in Sydney prior to relocating to the Tweed a year ago, opened the Raw Strength Training Facility after not being able to find a gym to call home.

There is a simple philosophy behind what Ms Killingbeck hopes to achieve with the business, which is to help as many people as possible reach their fitness goals.

“Raw Strength, my home, my family, my gym, my passion is going to be a place of community,” Ms Killingbeck said.

“It’s a place for people who want to be a part of something, who want to challenge themselves to grow and develop.”

Ms Killingbeck, who has competed in body building competitions for four years – including a recent top-20 placing at the WBFF World Bikini Diva Titles in Las Vegas – is determined to spread the fitness message.

While cutting an impressive figure with her toned body and superior fitness, her journey to this point is one of personal discovery and courage. Just six years ago, she gave up everything to pursue her health and fitness dreams.

“Mental health, particularly depression is something I’ve always struggled with and with depression came low self-value, self-confidence and self-worth,” Ms Killingbeck said.

“I used to work in a negative environment (but) exercise, professional help and positive thinking was how I learned to manage my depression.”

Ms Killingbeck left her stable job and has since worked with some of Australia’s hardest trainers at Sydney’s Commando Tough, finding a niche in empowering women to pursue healthy, balanced lives.

Her new facility is available to everyone from all walks of life and fitness levels and Miss Killingbeck aims to share her knowledge and experiences with members in the free and creative environment that’s being nurtured at Raw Strength.

Ms Killingbeck said she was driven to educate members to lead a healthy and balanced lifestyle that is sustainable for the long-term.

“I want people everywhere to know that the word ‘diet’ doesn’t really exist and that nutrition plays such an important role,” she said.

“I want to educate people and want people to feel as though they’re working towards something positive. The facility allows me to help more people and spread my message louder and further than I ever thought I could.”

While Ms Killingbeck admits there have been challenges to tap into local knowledge as she’s only been here short-term, she is passionate about her adopted home and growing strong connections and relationships with the local community.

Raw Strength is located at 5/39 Corporation Cct, Tweed Heads. Find them on Facebook at Raw Strength Training Facility or on Instagram at rawstrength_tf.