Remembering The Incredible Deb (@fitwithsweat)

Since Deb (aka @fitwithsweat) started working out with Sweat and Kayla Itsines in 2015, she was a source of motivation for everyone in the Sweat Community. In the face of numerous health challenges, Deb powered through her workouts, showing us all what it truly meant to be a strong woman - inside and out.  

On November 10, 2022, we were heartbroken to hear that Deb had passed away, with our co-founder and Head Trainer Kayla Itsines sharing the news with the Sweat Community, paying tribute to their friendship and everything Deb had achieved over several years.

Two years on from her passing, we miss Deb so much, yet it still brings us immense joy knowing how much purpose and meaning Sweat gave Deb, not to mention the countless friendships she forged with members of the Sweat Community, the close bond she shared with Kayla and the other Sweat Trainers, and the many women she inspired across the world each and every day. 

Deb’s personal fitness journey - which she shared with us in early 2022 - was the story of a woman who continued to persevere in the face of adversity. 

In early 2021, Deb shared that she had been diagnosed with a very rare form of colon cancer which had spread to her lungs, and in October 2022 she announced that her health had deteriorated to the point that she was no longer able to work out. 

For years, Deb showed up for herself and her Sweat sisters with the most incredible positive attitude, and as heartbroken as we were to hear of her passing, we know that Deb will always be part of this incredible community.

Earlier this year, Kayla dedicated her book to Deb's memory, writing: "In many ways, Deb was the heart and soul of the Sweat Community. She made so many lifelong friends, built her strength and confidence, found so much joy in her training and celebrated EVERY milestone."

"I was so lucky to call Deb my friend, and she is still a huge source of motivation and inspiration for me. I miss her every day and this book would not have been possible without her."

Before she passed away, Sweat Community member Candace (@for.the.love.of.them) started the hashtag #SweatForDeb and rallied the community to dedicate a workout to Deb, choosing Week 17 Abs from the High Intensity with Kayla program.

So many of you posted videos of your own Sweat sessions or post-workout sweaty selfies with the #SweatForDeb hashtag, with Deb sharing how much the support from women around the world meant to her. Today, there are now almost 2,000 posts under the #SweatForDeb hashtag - an incredible tribute to an amazing woman who inspired so many of us. 

In 2022, the Sweat team took a moment to celebrate and remember Deb and the profound impact she had on all of us, asking you to share the words you would use to describe this incredible woman.

It’s no surprise how you chose to describe and remember her:

• Deb was brave

• Deb was strong

• Deb was inspirational

• Deb was courageous

• Deb was resilient

• Deb was a warrior

• Deb was a fighter

• Deb was a hero

• Deb was caring

• Deb was fearless

Deb was a true force of nature, and we all miss her so much.

We know how much Deb loved the #SweatForDeb workout, and to commemorate the anniversary of her passing, we encourage you to Sweat in memory and celebration of her life with the workout below.

Every drop of Sweat, every squat, every grin-and-bear-it moment - we’re sweating for Deb, and we would love for you to join us.

Let’s keep her spirit alive with every rep. Find the workout in the On Demand section of the Sweat app under '#SweatForDeb,' and make sure to post on Instagram with #SweatForDeb – together, we sweat for Deb.