Sol
I grew up in the back of an old Citroen travelling Europe and could say “hello” and “goodbye” in at least ten languages before I was even able to write my own name.
Luckily, I escaped being bargained for an undisclosed number of camels while travelling Turkey with my mother as a teenager or becoming a rugby player in the wonderfully quaint North of England; I proceeded to study languages, nation studies and journalism instead.
Work at a travel magazine was perhaps only a natural progression from there, but a combination of writing for the Australian Traveller magazine and overnight police rounds for The Sunday Telegraph instilled me with an unhealthy adrenalin addiction.
I’ve since left the safe surrounds of my desk behind to face off great whites, plunge down cliff-faces, hang onto the side of boats in gale force winds and fly loops in ancient fighter planes.
Used to red-eye flights and working in several countries in a day without letting it affect an – albeit rather forced – perma-smile,I can now also be found on the other side of the camera.
Toting a battered Canon 40D, notepad and pencil, I’ll travel to any location anytime at the drop of a pen.
- Sol sucks up the traveljuice somewhere
Recent modelling assignments have seen me jump with joy, do over 400 abs and about 50 half-hearted chin-ups dressed in a white Power-Ranger-like outfit while being yelled at by Michelle Bridges and Shannan Ponton, toes and legs going numb holding a position for the Special K Jeans Challenge, adding some va va voom in a Miracle Suit (yes, it does look good) to Today Tonight’s swimwear segment and meeting Australia’s most beautiful model (inside and out – ’tis true) Sarah Murdoch on a Bonds shoot.
After finishing my Stott Pilates instructor training, I’m continuing my sporty endeavours in other people’s loungerooms, gyms and zen yoga studios around the country. Sometimes also in front of the camera, as in the case of a Fernwood magazine shoot. Combining my journo skills with easy-on-the-eye model smile and unstoppable sporty energy, I’m now also appearing on television and computer screens. ‘Tis a successful combo!
For more exciting escapades, articles on health, sports, travel and lifestyle and blog posts on everything and anything, check out the main blog page or article section.
Sol is all smiles after Bonds
My good friend Tony Holley went to one of your pilates classes in the City and has been singing your praises loudly!
Those class times don’t work so well for me and I’m thinking an assessment could be a good way to get started. I totally get what you said on your blog about the merits of individual attention to get the correct movement sequencing. What is your availability?
I’ll message you my contact details via twitter.
Thanks Sol,
Dunstan
Oh wow! That’s really cool. Say hello and thanks to Tony!
My availability is fairly good if it’s in Manly or surrounds. Can do private session at my home studio or come to yours if it’s close by. Saturday mornings are good or sometime during the week. Do you prefer evening, morning or day? E-mail me at bookings@solwalkling.com
Cheers,
Sol
Hi Sol,
I’m really enjoying your web presence and its inspiring to see you in so many different roles!
I didn’t think that people like you really existed and keep on pinching myself to see if I am dreaming… so far it seems like you are actually a real person which is rather exciting.
I’d love to come to one of your pilates classes. Do you teach in the Manly area?
Keep up the great work and all the best with Pilates teaching!
Dunstan
Thanks for the feedback. I certainly do run classes in Manly! Check out http://www.bodymindsol.com for times. Run Wednesday 9am classes at Qi Yoga Freshie, for example. I’m also looking to put together one for athletes in Manly on Mondays. Know anyone who would be interested? Btw, how did you stumble across me? Cheers, Sol
I as well did the same and searched for other Walkling’s though out the world. I envy you position traveling around and documenting for all to read.
My family lineage hails from Hannover Germany.
Should you ever make a trip to the states (US), you are always welcome to spend time at my cottage with my family.
Hello Bill Walkling, my name is also Bill Walkling… Look me up Google Bill Walkling Costa Rica… How strange,
Sol – today I had a quiet moment so I put my surname into YouTube. Up you came!
I enjoyed looking at the work you do but wanted to contact you purely because we have the same surname!
Anyway, there are quite a few Walklings here the South of England. I have two brothers, my parents are still around (just!) and we have cousins somewhere. Both my brothers and I have kids – I was blessed with a son, so the name will live on a little longer. Both my brothers had girls!
Anyway, I wish you all the best in your endeavours. I am in a very different line of business (an Operations Director for NCR), so I don’t think I can help much!
Just a thought – if you happen to know a fashion photographer or someone who works on a fashion magazine, my 15 year old daughter would love to get some work experience.
Again, I wish you success in your exciting career choice.
Regards
Clive
Hi Clive,
Thanks for the feedback. I looked into the origin of the name a little while ago and found out it originated from Scotland…? Any connections there?
Re your daughter, I’m more than happy to give her some advice but would need to know what she is actually aiming for. In my experience, fashion photography and work at a fashion mag attract entirely different kinds of people – the first creative, the latter into fashion. Let me know.
Thank you!
Sol