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Dani Vulinovich
Functional Fitness Coach
Kiwi based in Abu Dhabi

Strength | Mobility | Calisthenics | Hybrid Training
Empowering busy women to build strength for life’s challenges and changes

16/03/2026

A Whirlwind Few Weeks | Part 1

26/02/2026

These 5 gym myths often catch women out and the science tells a different story:

1. Weights = Bulky:
Women have much lower testosterone than men, and we don’t eat nearly enough to get too bulky. Lifting builds strength and lean muscle safely.

2. Cardio = Fat Loss:
Steady-state cardio is a helpful way to burn calories in the short term, but it won’t build or preserve muscle like strength training does. For long-term fat loss, combining strength work with cardio is far more effective.

3. Light Weights = Toning:
“Toning” comes from building muscle and reducing fat. Your muscles need a challenge to adapt, whether that’s heavier weights or progressive overload.

4. Sweat = Results:
Sweat is your body cooling itself, not a measure of calories burned. Some of the most effective workouts won’t make you drenched, but they still build strength and burn fat.

5. Low Calories = Fat Loss:
Eating too little for too long slows metabolism, reduces energy, and makes it harder to build muscle. Smart fueling beats restriction every time.

25/02/2026

Cravings aren’t the problem.
Ignoring them is.

If you’re hanging out for sugar every afternoon, there’s usually a reason. You might be:
– Not eating enough
– Skimping on protein
– Running on coffee
– Not sleeping or recovering well

You can’t out-discipline your physiology.
Your body will win every time.

The women who actually make progress aren’t the ones who “try harder.”
They get curious.

Cravings are feedback.

Notice the pattern. Adjust the inputs.
And watch the cravings settle down on their own.

23/02/2026

We’re told to eat the rainbow 🌈
But most women only train one colour.

What I often see:
💛 Endless cardio
❤️ Avoiding heavy strength
💙 No stability work
🧡 Zero power
💜 No play
🤍 Skipping recovery

Your body needs more than just sweat.
It needs strength, mobility, power, and control.

Train the full spectrum.

DM me “RAINBOW” 🌈 if you’re ready to add more colour to your training

22/02/2026

Metabolic health > scale health.

The number on the scale doesn’t tell you how strong you are, how much muscle you carry, or how well your body functions.

Muscle protects your metabolism.
Strength protects your future.

Shift the focus.

21/02/2026

Pool day 🏖️ or hike the Stairway to Heaven ⛰️?

Up in Ras Al Khaimah on the legendary Stairway to Heaven… I’ll choose the hike. Every time.

The pool will always be there.
The adventure won’t.

This one left me with:
• An appreciation for my capable body
• Wobbly legs after 12km of uneven ground
• Swollen hands from scrambling for 5 hours
• A new goat friend 🐐
• Quality time ❤️
• Views I’ll never see back home in New Zealand
• The appetite of a horse (snacks hit different when you’re on the move)
• A reminder that comfort is optional
• The best sleep of your life that night
• The pool feeling like a reward, not the main event

Some will choose the pool and that’s fine.
For me? The hike wins.

The pool is just the cherry on top later… 🍒💪

19/02/2026

Simple yet effective 💪🏼

Recently I’ve:
* Gone to the cinema
* Stayed at a hotel with an all-you-can-eat buffet
* Had tired Friday nights alone with me and my fridge…

All situations where I’ve overindulged many times before.

My go-to trick?
 The classic protein shake.

Nothing fancy. Just good old-fashioned protein.
Even half a scoop will do! Blend it with ice for an ice-cream effect and you’re set.

Why it works:
➡️Calms your hunger → calmer decision making
➡️Takes the edge off cravings ➡️You’re satisfied, not desperate.
➡️Helps you control portions ➡️Keeps protein high, supporting muscle, recovery, and fullness.
 That small buffer between impulse and action makes a huge difference.

Then go for the treats if you want!

I’ve found I can enjoy something I really fancy without going too far.
 I leave feeling satisfied, not stuffed

18/02/2026

If Gym and Beach had 👶👧 🌊☀️💪🏼

16/02/2026

Reasons women shouldn’t lift weights….

There will never be one…

14/02/2026

Reframing a few things I’ve been noticing lately:

Perfectionism → messy action Small, imperfect steps still move you forward. Progress matters more than getting it “just right.”

Reacting → pausing Taking a moment before responding helps you respond intentionally instead of getting swept up in emotion.

Overwhelm → small wins Focusing on one achievable task at a time turns an impossible list into a series of wins you can actually celebrate.

Worrying → presence When you bring attention to the moment, you notice what’s actually happening instead of stressing about what might happen.

Fear → self-belief Believing in yourself, even in tiny doses, changes the way you approach challenges and opportunities every day.

Even small mindset shifts like these can quietly transform the way your day feels and the actions you take.

09/02/2026

A decade ago I subluxed my left shoulder… and it taught me that shoulder health isn’t just about “rehabbing,” it’s about building trust in your body again.

Things that helped me most:

• Unilateral work — Training one arm at a time exposed strength imbalances, improved control, and forced my stabilisers to actually do their job instead of letting my stronger side compensate.

• Build strength — Stability doesn’t come from staying light forever. Shoulders need strength to feel safe. Progress slowly, respect good form, and earn the heavier loads over time.

• Mobility with strength — True mobility isn’t just flexibility. It’s being strong through your full range of motion so muscles, joints, and stabilisers can work together smoothly and efficiently.

• Have fun with movement — Monkey bars, handstand walking, hanging drills… they challenge coordination and teach your shoulder stabilisers to work as a team (plus they remind you movement should be enjoyable).

Strong shoulders aren’t built by avoiding movement.
They’re built by preparing your body to handle it.

07/02/2026

Strong is a compliment ❤️

I spent years thinking training was all about how I looked. Now I train for how I live, move, feel, and experience life.
That shift changed everything for me.

Some days body image still creeps in, or I feel “too muscular”…

But, what’s really important is looking back and remembering what your body let you do, not just how it looked doing it ❤️

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