We asked 6 women about their biggest personal triumphs. Here's exactly what they said.

The word 'triumph' means something different to everyone. For me, I first picture it as an achievement or an overcoming on a really grand scale. Something that carries an incredible backstory that will inspire generations to come. I think I have blockbuster movies to thank for this.

But then, when I remove the gloss of the silver screen and look a little deeper, the word represents many life stories – big and small. What may feel like an everyday occurrence for some, may actually be a very first time for someone else. Whether it’s conquering the Kokoda Trail or finally paying off your credit card, it’s these triumphs in our lives that make up the very fabric of who we are and how we view the world.

It’s these successes that Triumph Lingerie celebrate and encourage. Women play different roles in life. But who each woman is… well, that’s individual to her. Triumph understands this and designs lingerie that is true to you, moving with all of your roles, adapting to everything you do. Empowering women from the inside out.

It’s this support and positive message that has me reflecting on my own triumphs and wanting to ask some of the wonderful women around me what has lifted them. What do they view as their biggest triumph to date and why?

Here's what they said.

Amanda

Amanda. Image: Supplied.

My greatest triumph by far is how I picked myself up to battle through a gruelling marathon shortly after the sudden death of my beautiful mum in 2019.

Then in 2021, I climbed that same mountain after the sudden death of my brother Michael.

I’ve completed the North Brother Mountain event five years in a row but it’s the 2019 and 2021 events that I am most proud of and will keep close to my heart.

I know that having my mum and brother at the forefront of my mind gave me the strength and courage I needed to finish. I know they were looking down on me, willing me on, every time I wanted to give up through my grieving tears.

I couldn’t be more proud of myself for what I achieved and I continue to wake up every morning and run because I know that’s what Mum and Michael would want me to do. Running is my medicine and keeps my mental health strong. And it certainly helps me through the ever-present grieving process.

Courtney

Courtney. Image: Supplied.

My greatest triumph is a work in progress; the little triumphs along the way being the catalysts for achieving it.

I spent my twenties and early thirties creating a life that looked 'pretty'. I worked in fashion, my husband was striving for a career in sport, our kids were flourishing in sport and we had a beautiful home. But nothing ever felt like it fitted with my values and beliefs. We were constantly being dragged into races we never wanted to be in. So my first triumph was quitting my 'glam' job at 36 and going back to school to become a clinical psychologist.

I've never shied from calling out bad behaviour, but in the culture we were surrounded by, it never enlisted an inclusive response. So the next triumph came with realising that everyone is entitled to their way of living, but that I didn't need to live their way either. So we picked up, left the luxuries behind and bought a shack on a little slice of paradise, where our kids can be kids and we can strive for our purpose whilst being surround by nature and animals.

I believe to love is to be honest, to fight for decency and offer genuine exchange, but we can't place our expectations on others either. Not everyone has to love you, but you have to love and believe in the life you live.

Kimberlee

Kimberlee. Image: Supplied.

My biggest personal triumph is the starting of my own business, Socialé, with my good friend Hayley. In June 2020, at the height of COVID-19, I found myself unemployed, isolated from friends and family, and my husband had just left me. It devastated me beyond belief and had no control over my life and for the first time, I had no direction or purpose.

It was one fateful walk with my friend Hayley that set us on a course that would see us through our most difficult times during the height of the pandemic when we were both unemployed like many Australians. Hayley had been helping a few social media influencers create content and needed help on the commercial side and that's where I stepped in. Starting your own business can terrify, as it's natural to fear failure but after the worst had happened, failure didn't seem half as bad.

I didn't realise at the time but Socialé gave me something to look forward to – it gave me a sense of purpose and kept me busy (very busy). There are so many challenges that come with owning your own business and particularly, starting one with a friend but two years on, I'm the happiest I've ever been, and it is by far my biggest triumph.

Tillie

Tillie. Image: Supplied.

My biggest triumph is that after 15 debilitating years of anxiety and depression, I finally have a love for life and belief in myself.

For as long as I can remember, I experienced mental health challenges with some periods being way worse than others and some lasting for a lot longer. This feeling transcribed into almost everything I did, from school, to work, to friends, to partners, I just simply didn't believe I was good enough.

Once COVID hit, my mental health took a dive. I was crying daily, and I felt lost. But one day, a switch flicked as if like magic. I said enough was enough.

I picked myself up off of the floor and sought professional help. I quit my corporate career and became a fitness coach. I ate better, I meditated, I journaled, I said affirmations. I put as much effort as I could into myself because I realised that I only have one life and why should I waste it being sad?

It was incredibly hard and confronting to face my demons and I worked harder than ever before, but as a girl who had panic attacks at social events and is now someone who leads fitness classes of 30 people with confidence and a smile, I can't thank this time enough. I still cry a little, but it's because I am so damn proud of myself.

Saengtip

Saengtip. Image: Supplied.

When people meet me, they are more often than not surprised that I am a parent let alone have three kids under six! They then say how hard it must be, how tired I feel and how busy I must be.

And yes, that’s all true, with the smaller moments being a triumph in itself, but my personal and biggest triumph is something that’s a huge deal in motherhood for me.

I have three boys aged six and three, and a baby that just turned one. Each are different to their brothers but also same-same. I have breastfed all of them and each journey with each child was a whole different ride. My first boy was super easy – latch, feed, repeat. My second couldn’t latch for the first six weeks and I was stressed about spending so much time pumping, then bottle feeding with a toddler who needed me too. I didn’t know at the time, but I also had postpartum anxiety.

My third baby was a mixed bag. He could latch but was a bit of a ‘snacker’ so fed a LOT and all three boys used me as a pacifier, soother and comfort toy. I breastfed on demand for their sustenance, illness, comfort and even their boredom.

Through all the hurdles, I have breastfed continuously for six years and counting. That is by far my biggest personal triumph.

Rikki (me again!)

Rikki. Image: Supplied.

Sometimes, our triumphs are not what others may expect. That is definitely the case with mine.

Just four weeks ago, I set about my biggest challenge to date – a hysterectomy. After many many years of suffering from heavy blood loss, pain, severe anaemia and a fibroid the size of a grapefruit, I decided to make it all just stop. I had had enough.

At only 39, this procedure is really hard to comprehend for many women, especially those within their reproductive years. But my husband and I are extremely happy with what we have – two beautiful girls – and the fibroid within my belly was a constant reminder of how hard it was to conceive our second. I was sick of the pain and tired of being tired all the time. I didn’t want to have to opt-out of almost every single invitation or memory-making moment because my symptoms ruled my life.

I decided to have a hysterectomy very easily and went through the gruelling 3-hour procedure, waking up feeling tired and groggy but, strangely enough, smiling. I knew the weeks ahead were going to be tough, but it focused me on the endgame.

Before I went home from hospital, my doctor told me that my uterus was so enlarged, it was the size of a 5-month-old baby. A baby!

Now, post-uterus, I stand by this decision as being the best of my life and I am really proud of how I have handled it. It might feel like a strange triumph but I am so happy and finally look forward to what lies in front of me.

Reading the stories of my beautiful friends reminds me that triumph can be found in all different places and what’s important is not how grand your triumphs may be, but the effect they have on you, the people you love and the world around you. 

We’re all beautiful, and supporting ourselves and each other is the biggest triumph of all.

From everyday essentials like T-shirt and wire-free bra styles, to minimisers, sport and maternity, Triumph has got your back – and your front. Supporting you during every kind of triumph.

Feature Image: Supplied.