After a career-ending injury shattered her gymnastics dreams, Marta found a new purpose in the weight room. Now, the fitness creator is helping thousands of women build confidence and strength through her online platform.
From the beam to the barbell, Marta O. also known as @martashealthyhustle online, made the decision to redirect her fitness journey after facing injury.
The fitness influencer spent her early years in the gym, not the kind with dumbbells and treadmills, but the kind with chalk-dusted bars and sprung floor.
“I always loved gymnastics growing up. It was something I was passionate about and l liked pushing myself to get better and better,” she says.
After years of dedicating herself to gymnastics, a torn ligament brought everything to a sudden halt.
“I was always afraid of going backwards so when I got injured doing a backhandspring, my worst fear came true.”
A torn elbow ligament ended Marta’s gymnastics career. It didn’t end her relationship with sport.
The ‘gymfluencer’ says, “After recovering from that [the torn ligament] I decided that I still want to continue doing fitness, but taking it into the gym instead so I can tailor my workouts to my fitness goals.
“Going back into sports after my injury was really hard. I thought I’d just snap back into it but I really didn’t. It took a lot of effort to regain my confidence. I was very scared of getting re-injured. I still won’t do back handsprings.
“I felt like I had an identity crisis. I didn’t really know how to do things without a working arm.”
Despite the setback of injury, she didn’t let that stop her from finding a new path.
“Joining the gym was empowering. Gaining my confidence after feeling so powerless from being injured was amazing. The feeling of moving my body, getting my pull up again and actually using my arm to its full ability was something I thought I’d never do again.
“When you’re injured you’re at such a low, it’s hard to climb back up but it’s so important that you do.”
After developing a passion for the gym, she decided to share her journey and advice online and one summer day in 2024, @martashealthyhustle was born. She shares healthy recipes, gym workout ideas, and tips for women starting out in the gym.
Now with a following of 142K she says, “Getting messages from younger girls saying ‘I went to the gym because of you’, or ‘I love your videos, I did your workout’, really brings me joy. That’s the reason I do all of it.
“I am still in the process of educating myself so I can better educate my audience. I don’t ever want to spread misinformation. I am currently trying to get my PT (personal trainer) qualification so I can help more women get more confident in the gym and achieve their goals.
“Getting through injury recovery isn’t easy. You need to take baby steps, start from the very bottom and build your way back up gradually and safely. Rushing it could get you even more injured and you may never get back to sports and physical activity. Patience is so key.”
