Recalibration: The power of choosing what matters
Raissa Camilleri
Recalibration isn’t about starting over - it’s about realigning with who you are becoming. For athlete Raissa Camilleri, life has been a series of moments that demanded pause, perspective, and courage: motherhood, ambition, burnout, and rediscovery. This is a story of learning when to keep going, when to let go, and how redefining success can become the most powerful step forward.
What were your early goals?
At university I studied marketing and had big plans to build a career in the field. My goal was always to climb the ladder. I knew I had this fire in me: whatever needed to be done, I was always the first one ready to do the dirty work.
Then I graduated, and just as I was about to start this big work dream, I realised I was pregnant. I was 23. That was a massive recalibration on its own.
It taught me something I learned very young: it’s not what happens to you, but what you do with it. That’s something I still hold true to this day.
How did that change things for you?
On a personal level, my world fell apart. It was tough to navigate, but I had no doubt I would still find a way. I had a lot of support.
I found a job in a marketing agency - and it was brutal. Very long hours. I was pregnant. I was always the first in and the last out.
“When I feel overwhelmed - I breathe, reset, and focus on reorganising one thing at a time. Everything can be figured out - just one step at a time.”
I felt I had to work twice as hard as everyone else because I knew there would be a gap once the baby was born, so I tried to overcompensate. I remember that feeling very clearly.
Then, when Kay came along, I had this big plan to stay home for a year. But after six months, I couldn’t take it. I was depressed. I was always someone who did a lot at once, and suddenly I was home all day. At the time, I couldn’t understand why I was feeling that way - but looking back now, I do. I feel for that 23-year-old me.
How did you return to work?
After six months, I went for other job interviews. I felt judged walking in.
Then I entered BRND WGN — a branding agency people at university dreamed of working at. There was a junior marketing role available. I remember telling them – it was Pete (Peter Grech) and Gareth (Sciberras) that I had a baby. They looked at each other and said: “You only have one.” They were parents themselves, and they understood.
They offered me the job right away. It felt heaven-sent. I spent 10 amazing years surrounded by people who believed in me, pushed me, understood what I needed, and fuelled my fire. There was mutual respect. During my time there, I moved from assistant marketing exec to one of the company directors - the only female.
“I learned very young: it’s not what happens to you, but what you do with it. That’s something I still hold true to this day.”
Meanwhile, Kay was at daycare. Dirk, my husband, and I took turns picking her up - at about 1pm - and taking her to my parents, who kept her until about 5pm. I worked — it was hard, but it worked.
During that time, I was also learning how to do everything. When I was pregnant Dirk and I moved into a small apartment, and we had to learn how to manage it all. Looking back, those were some of the happiest days of my life. No expectations. A small place. Simple things. Quality time. It was bliss.
When did exercise become part of your life?
I’m someone who finds calm in being able to do many things — as long as I’m in control of them. But, at the same time, I’ve always felt like I’m not doing enough.
I remember a conversation with Dirk. I told him how I had a job and a child, but I wanted something for myself. I tried going back to dance – something I did all my life - but the fire wasn’t there anymore.
After Kay was born, we moved to our house in Mosta, and there was a gym close by. I went once. Then once a week became twice, then three times - mostly after work.
It was about how it made me feel.
How did racing enter your life?
After a year, there was a big Spartan Race in Barcelona. They needed someone, and my gym coach encouraged me to join. Dirk encouraged me too — so I did.
Being me, I took it very seriously. I started running and realised I really enjoyed it.
For the first time, this was something just for me. I was always at the service of others — as a mother at home and with clients at work. In every part of my life, I was giving. This was mine.
At the Spartan Race, I remember standing on a mountain with tears rolling down my face. For the first time in a very long time, I felt like I could breathe.
Since getting pregnant, life had been nonstop — buckle up and go. That moment made me realise it was okay to do something for myself.
How did that turn into a business?
I started taking racing more seriously. Then an opportunity came up — someone was opening a new OCR (Obstacle Course Racing) gym, and I was training with him. We decided to join forces and started organising OCR classes on weekends.
Later, another opportunity came up: a gym looking for a new tenant. It was time to go indoors, so together with my partners, we invested and soft-launched the first indoor OCR gym.
Two days later, the first COVID lockdown happened.
We moved online and offered free classes, which helped us build a strong community. After COVID, we reopened slowly. People began coming back.
We later relocated to another gym in Mriehel, close to my work. Around that time, HYROX started coming in — a different sport altogether.
I was one of the first Maltese athletes to compete in a HYROX race abroad in 2023 and managed to qualify for the World Championships. I felt like an athlete again.
How did you manage everything at once?
I trained in the morning, worked during the day, and coached in the evening. It was hard — but I couldn’t imagine removing anything. Still, I knew it wasn’t sustainable long-term.
Life has a way of choosing for you.
Two years ago, my mum was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer.
The moment she was diagnosed, everything crashed. Everything fell apart. I had to pick up the pieces, but I had no energy left.
On the day of her first medical appointment, I had work commitments. I couldn’t be there, and I felt immense guilt. My father and sister were carrying the load, and I felt terrible — but I also felt guilty at work if I wasn’t present there either.
Wherever I was, I felt I should be somewhere else. I was unhappy. I had everything — yet I had nothing.
Was there a defining moment?
I’ll never forget it. At a work summer party, a new team member told me how much they envied my life — a great husband, a daughter, a great job with a good title, my own business, and representing Malta as an athlete.
I walked away, went for a swim, and cried in the sea. Inside, I was completely broken. I knew something had to give. It was like when I got pregnant all over again. I was feeling overwhelmed. But this was 10 years later, and I was still running at the same speed I had when I first got pregnant — still overcompensating.
Now I was physically and emotionally drained. I was running at full speed, and I had hit a wall.
“From elite athletes chasing performance to mums who just need one hour for themselves — I understand both sides.”
What decision did you make?
That year I went to the HYROX World Championships and finally had time to think. Deep down, I knew what I had to do. It was a very difficult decision, but the only one that made sense.
I left BRND WGN. They were incredibly understanding and supportive. That decision gave me time during the day to be with my mum.
Where are you now?
For the past two years, I’ve focused on my mum and on the gym. Today, the gym, called The Jungle Box, has over 200 active members and is doing extremely well. I’m the co-owner and still coach most of the classes.
It brings me so much joy and fulfillment. From elite athletes chasing performance to mums who just need one hour for themselves — I understand both sides. I think when people walk through our doors, they feel understood and heard.
People need to feel seen in life. Community always comes first for me.
“When I’m facing self-doubt, I don’t think too far ahead. I think one step forward. Can I do everything? Probably not. But I can do one step.”
What would you tell a woman battling the feeling of self-doubt?
When I’m facing self-doubt, I don’t think too far ahead. I think one step forward. Can I do everything? Probably not. But I can do one step.
That’s what I tell my clients: just show up.
Many tell me they don’t have energy for a full hour. I tell them to come. Then to start with 10 minutes — and before they know it, they’ve done the whole session. It’s about breaking things down.
When I feel overwhelmed - I breathe, reset, and focus on reorganising one thing at a time. Everything can be figured out - just one step at a time.
What have you learned about boundaries?
I made a big decision this year: I’m defending my sanity. If I have one hour for myself, I protect it. Unless the gym is literally on fire, I don’t reply to emails.
This year I’m not just saying it — I’m actually holding myself accountable. I am actually slotting this time into my calendar – treating it as important, because it is. That time is for Rai. Even if it’s just sitting still.
As an active woman and an athlete, why is stillness so important to you?
The value of sitting still is everything — and I’m still learning it. The book I’m reading now is Take Back Your Time by Dan Martell. If you’re always doing, you don’t have time to think. You never pause to breathe, reflect, or reward yourself. You don’t soak in the good moments.
In the grand scheme of everything big in my life, I’m desperate for the little things.
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