Alcohol and fitness do not go hand-in-hand, so it's no surprise fitness guru Kayla Itsines doesn't touch a drop.
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But the 24-year-old social media star with over 3.9 million avid Instagram followers told Fairfax at the Cosmopolitan Fun Fearless Female Women of the Year Awards on Wednesday that there's a deeper reason why she stays alcohol-free.
"My auntie died of an alcohol overdose," Itsines explained. "Just watching the downwards spiral of someone and watching how it affected her turned me off.
"When she died she left behind my little cousin who is now 11 – she was five at the time – and then I sort of helped raise her, actually I'm more like a cousin/mom, so for her I don't drink and because of my job I don't drink."
The passing of a close relative to alcohol poisoning had such an effect on Itsines, she plans to stay away from drink her "whole life" and says she never feels like having a glass.
"I'm not into it," she added. "My mum and dad don't drink, don't smoke so they are my role models."
Itsines, a certified fitness trainer from Adelaide who has become known for her intense Bikini Body Guides, came away from the awards at Aqua Dining in North Sydney with not only the Social Media Star title, but the Woman of the Year accolade also.
When she caught up with Fairfax shortly after stepping off the stage to pick up the highest honour of the day she was completely overwhelmed, saying she felt "undeserved" of such a title because she was surrounded by so many other "amazing women", including the likes of Melbourne Cup winning jockey Michelle Payne and former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
Despite her status as one of the most followed personal trainers on Instagram for her 12 week exercise plan made up of 28 minute workouts, fame hasn't gone to Istines' head and she reveals she still only charges the average for a PT session – $30 for a half an hour and $15 each if there are two people.
"I do it because I love it," she laughed.
The 2015 Cosmopolitan Fun Fearless Females are:
Social Media Star – Kayla Itsines
Singer – Delta Goodrem
Fashion Designer – Samantha Wills
Girl Boss – Jane Lu
Radio Presenter – Emma Freedman
Actress – Miranda Tapsell
Game Changer – Katrina Keshishian
TV Personality – Sylvia Jeffreys
Sportswoman – Ellie Cole
Hall of Fame – Hon. Julia Gillard
Woman of the Year – Kayla Itsines
