Celine was diagnosed with adolescent scoliosis in 2020 at the age of 14. A devastating diagnosis for any teenager, especially since Celine is a multiple time champion in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. She had practiced, along with her sister and co-founder Sophia, since they were 7 years old.

Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine that most often, just like Celine, is diagnosed in adolescents. There is a natural, forward-and-backward curve to the spine, with scoliosis, the spine rotates and develops a side-to-side curve.

The family spoke to several doctors, who suggested anything from surgery to bracing, but finally decided to join the “ScoliSMART Program”. The program was only available in the USA, so Celine and her family travelled to New York in the Summer of 2021 and teenage Celine went through the “ScoliSMART” Bootcamp, which included but was not limited to undertaking DNA tests and 6 hours a day of physical therapy over a period of 2 weeks.

Despite all these challenges and not practicing her beloved sport of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for nearly 18 months, Celine decided, just 6 weeks from a 2021 Youth World Championships to compete again.

She campaigns for awareness and is active in her own fitness regime to support her condition and her athletic endeavours on a daily basis.