Students learn from Global Fitness Influencer Elin Harkonen at TAFE Queensland

TAFE Queensland Alumni Elin Harkonen returns to TAFE Queensland Robina, South Bank and Mooloolaba Campuses to deliver handstand workshops. With a massive following of over 100,000 on Instagram, Elin has a global impact and uses her platform to help, inspire, and motivate people to live their best possible lives. Elin's personal experience after breaking her neck has taught her that life can change in an instant, and she is now dedicated to using her knowledge and skills to assist others in achieving their goals.

In 2016, Elin Harkonen completed a Diploma of Sport Development (SIS50612) with TAFE Queensland. Now, after all these years, she kindly returned all three campuses to run handstand workshops throughout the month of March.

Elin, a former gymnast and the Swedish and Nordic Champion in Equestrian Vaulting (gymnastics on horses), suffered a devastating injury in 2013 that left her with a broken neck and an uncertain future. Despite this incredible challenge, she founded her own company, ironically named BREAK IT and you will MAKE IT.

“I specialise in all things fitness; from personal training, group sessions, training camps and training trips to motivational speaking and guest appearances – and of course handstands!” Elin said.  

“I have always known I wanted to work in the fitness industry and helping people has always been my passion,” she said.

Elin is passionate about sharing her knowledge and expertise of gymnastics with others after experiencing firsthand how the sport can help people improve their body control, confidence, strength, and flexibility.

“My years at TAFE Queensland were the best years of my life, it’s an honour to come back and share my knowledge with current students and the community,” Elin said.

During her time at TAFE Queensland, Elin had the opportunity to undertake hands-on practical training and vocational work experience, which proved to be invaluable when she returned home to Sweden and kick-started her career as a personal trainer.

“I already knew what it was like to work as a personal trainer because I had trained so many clients [members of the community] during my training at TAFE Queensland,” Elin said.

TAFE Queensland Leading Vocational Trainer on the Gold Coast, Hunter Paltridge, said through this workshop students are exposed to the unique training techniques and trends required to build healthy, and stable body structures which is highly favoured and desired by the Fitness/Wellness Industry.

“Elin brings a motivating, and inspiring experience to the TAFE Queensland Gold Coast fitness student body regarding, unique and industry advanced techniques to build both functional strength/fitness for both wellbeing and injury prevention,” Hunter said.