Testimonials

Thelma is more than just my walking coach. This woman helped transform and build my confidence not only when walking on stage, but walking into any room. Over the course of the 8 months we worked together, I learnt how to enhance and use the body and skills I was given. She thought me technique, confidence and a little bit of sass too. 

We worked on how to transform face from the beginning of the walk to the end, leaving the audience wanting more. Not only an amazing walking coach but a woman who truly embodies everything she teaches. 

Thelma really does practice what she preaches and it shows! I could not recommend working with Thelma more highly. If you are looking for confidence, sass, beauty, walking with purpose and strength then Thelma is your woman! 

Plus she is like a second mum to me and that makes me love her even more 💗

Thelma is one of those women that strides into a room and fills it up with her energy. I first met Thelma at the airport on the way to the MUA 2023 finalist trip in Vietnam. Little did I know then we would be working side by side sharing a hotel room preparing for Miss Universe. 

Not only does Thelma have one of the most captivating walks the runway has ever seen, from her facial expressions, her body positioning, footwork, and choreography - Thelma knows how to teach this confidence. Once I won Miss Universe Australia, I only had 7 short weeks before I was flying to El Salvador to compete on the world stage at Miss Universe. 

Thelma and I would zoom call every second day to practice my walk, I remember my first session I did with her I said “ I refuse to do spins, they’re not me, I can’t do them “ fast forward to Miss Universe I managed to execute 2 seamless spins, thanks to the many hours we worked on them together and Thelma’s persistence that I could do it.

In the last week before I was flying out, I flew up to Sydney and Thelma flew down to meet me there where we spent a full on week training, preparing and walking. Thelma acted as a mentor and a friend for me that week, she came with me to fittings and meetings with designers to help me secure outfits for MU, we spent hours every day practicing my walk, going to the gym, and going to meetings. Thelma was one of the handful of people who dropped everything to help me prepare. 

I’ll be forever grateful for the moments we spent together, the content we created, and the kilometres of walking training we have collected.

 Not many people know this, but the year that I won Miss Universe Australia was the year that the country was first experiencing lockdowns on a global scale. Winning that title and preparing to represent my country in Miami was a daunting feat, made more daunting by the fact that interstate travel was barely happening - so access to suppliers, designers & coaches was very difficult.

In addition, prior to Miss Universe, I had no modelling experience and was entirely green to the field. I believe I won on a campaign of inclusivity, the messages I believed in, my ability to be a voice and that was where my confidence came from. Thelma became more than someone who trained me, she became a friend and an emotional support. She offered her support to me prior to winning and was consistent from that moment onward. Thelma has an incredibly valuable ability to meet someone & understand who they are, their strength and areas of opportunity for improvement.

As I mentioned, she understood that I was green, and didn’t put pressure on me to be something that I wasn’t - like a runway model. Instead, she coached me to harness where my confidence came from and leverage that for my walk. When she became my coach, she rooted her training in teaching me to walk with conviction because of my belief in what I had to say. To this day, I’ll never forget what she taught me – that learning to walk confidently is not about modelling and it wasn’t even about the Miss Universe stage, it is about presence and letting it the world know who you are. Thelma taught me to walk in a way that introduced myself to the world without needing to say a word and it is a skill I carry with me no matter what room I walk in to, to this day.

Despite travel and lockdown restrictions, Thelma and her family made time for me over zoom using the resources at our disposal and even welcomed me to their home when flight restrictions were finally lifted. I only had four days in person to be coached by her… And that was more than enough, because I ended up walking my way to the top 10 of the global competition in 2021. I’m so grateful for her mentorship and friendship.

I am incredibly grateful for Thelma’s invaluable guidance and support throughout my journey as a contestant in Miss Universe. Her dedication and expertise were evident in every moment we spent together. Thelma meticulously choreographed my poses, refined my walk, and instilled in me a newfound confidence that I carried with pride onto the world stage. Her unwavering commitment and insightful feedback were instrumental in my preparation, and I can’t thank her enough for helping me shine brightly during this remarkable experience. Forever my favourite walking coach 

Working with Coach Thelma has been an incredible journey of growth and empowerment. Her encouragement goes beyond just the physical act of walking; she instills a mindset of positivity and resilience that extends to every aspect of life.

I had started with a good foundation, but under Thelma's guidance, I've soared to new heights. She has a unique ability to elevate what I already possess, pushing me to surpass my limits and achieve goals I once thought impossible. I cannot deny that Thelma's passion is infectious. She not only imparts her knowledge and expertise but shares her genuine care for our well-being. Her motherly nature creates a nurturing environment where I feel safe, supported, and inspired to strive for more.

Coach Thelma isn't just a coach; she's a mentor, a motivator, and a trusted guide on this journey of self-improvement. I am grateful for her dedication and honored to have her by my side as I continue to grow and succeed.