A YOUNG woman with scoliosis is championing self-love and body positivity through fitness. Eva Butterly, a 28-year-old personal trainer from Dublin, Ireland, is using her personal experience to help others with similar conditions. At age 12, Eva was diagnosed with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis after a schoolteacher noticed her shoulders were slouching to one side. Eva’s condition was so severe that she underwent a major operation to fuse her spine and have two rods inserted either side. Instead of letting this define the rest of her life, Eva used exercise as a way of strengthening her mind and body. Eva told Barcroft TV: “A scoliosis warrior is someone who gets up every single day, no matter how much they’re suffering or what adversity they’re facing in their life.” Before Eva began training, she had a successful career in acting, even appearing in Game of Thrones. But her condition stopped her from believing she could strengthen her body. “I did not see myself having the level of fitness that I have now.” After her brother got her into weightlifting, Eva realised how much it benefited her – on the inside and outside. For any young person growing up, body confidence can be challenging. But for Eva, spending a year in a body cast was more difficult than she realised. And it was fitness that helped make her grow confident in her own skin. Two years ago, Eva began training other people with scoliosis and similar conditions. She now runs a personal training company, Warrior Fitness. Eva understands how people with conditions such as scoliosis can feel about themselves, and loves watching them grow stronger – mentally and physically. Helping her clients with their fitness journey has been rewarding for Eva. “You’re not only getting someone fit but you’re getting someone mentally tough and that’s going to stay with you forever.”