Book Review No 37: Love, Sweat and Tears by Zelie Bullen

Growing up on the outskirts of Perth, Zelie realises early on in life that she has a natural affinity with animals. From a young age, she feels a strong connection and spends a lot of time being around all kinds of creatures. Although she does not qualify to study Vet Science or Zoology at university, Zelie instead enrolls in an Agricultural Science Diploma, with the hope of eventually upgrading into a uni degree. Although still a teenager, Zelie has spent a lot of time experimenting with different training methods for animals and has had a lot of success, just going with her own instincts.

While Zelie has no doubts about her chosen career field, her personal life is another story. From the tender age of eighteen, she begins a series of brushes with tragedy that no one person should have to endure in a lifetime, let alone in a few short years. First her boyfriend's brother is killed in a car accident, then her beloved sister and then her father dies (whom she has just started getting to know after being distant for many years). Needing some time out and a change of scenery, Zelie puts study on hold and moves to the Gold Coast with the hopes of one day training the horses in the Outback Spectacular.

While working at Movie World, Zelie has the opportunity to train as a stunt person and eagerly takes up the challenge. When she meets fellow stunt person Graeme, her life seems complete again. Then, tragically he too is taken from her in an accident. While many people would have just given up at this point, Zelie fights depression and the idea of suicide and moves forward in another new direction.

Getting back to her beloved animals, Zelie develops a reputation as a trainer and soon enough Hollywood comes knocking. Over the coming years Zelie works on such hit movies as Babe, Zorro and War Horse. Through all this, Zelie maintains a positive attitude, is not afraid to get her hands dirty and devotes herself to constantly learning through each new job.

I was happy to read that Zelie is now happily married with a son and her career as a trainer continues to take her all over the world. Although not very involved with animals myself, I was amazed to learn just what goes into training them and the amount of work it takes for one tiny scene to be produced in a movie. It gave me a new understanding of the old saying to never work with kids or animals.

This is a wonderful story of a strong, inspiration woman who refused to be defined by tragedy and has achieved much, much more than most of us will ever dream about.