I’m Rebekah McCaw. I live in Sydney, but let’s be clear, I’m a Kiwi to the core. From the far far north, Ahipara, also known as Ahaps. If you know, you definitely know.

Now honestly, where do you even start with a journey like this. Mine was basically one long series of yeah nah, oh nah, yeah but nah moments right up until the moment I finally chose me.

I was on July Tour and had the SASI loop, woop bloody woop. And a massive shout out to all the ladies and gents on our July Tour, what an incredible bunch to go through this journey with. The laughs, the support, the shared moments and the understanding, I couldn’t have asked for a better crew.

And then there’s Arri. A powerhouse. A woman who does not take excuses, doesn’t do self pity, and absolutely does not let you disappear. Even when I may or may not have ignored a few of her messages , she came back stronger with pure belief. No time to sit in fear or overthink, just get on the damn plane and thank me later. And thank God I did, because that decision changed my life.

Before surgery, my body was screaming at me. Spinal stenosis. Diabetes. Arthritis in my back. Sciatica. A bone spur in my heel. Achy legs every single day. Tired, worn down, just surviving. I knew deep down if I didn’t do something drastic, my body was going to decide for me.

Fast forward to nearly five months post op and wow, this hasn’t just been weight loss, this has been a full rediscovery of who I am.

I’ve gone from a size 20 to 22 down to a 16, and from a 3 to 4XL to a large. From 120kg two weeks before surgery to 81kg now, and honestly that still blows my mind.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not finished yet. I still have a way to go to hit my goal weight and I need to step up the exercise, weight training and toning, because let’s be real, this excess skin is screaming out for attention and it is not subtle about it either.

But here’s the real flex. No back pain. No joint pain. No heel pain. And my diabetes has normalised to 5.5, just quietly minding its business now.
Do I miss food. Absolutely. But I love my body now. I respect it. I fuel it. And when I don’t hit my goals, I don’t beat myself up anymore. I get back up and keep going, because that’s the difference now. I don’t quit on myself.
This journey gave me more than a smaller body. It gave me confidence, freedom and a second chance at life.
And to the AAJ team, every single one of you, thank you for doing the work that truly changes lives. Because you didn’t just help me lose weight. You helped me get me back.
You are all amazing.