Word for Word

6 Oct 2013

A Life of Breaking Records – Marianne Piesel – A Champion for Positive Women

Health, Society & Culture

I first met today’s guest 20 years ago.  I was in my early 20’s and she was about 26 years old.  It wasn’t until more than a decade later that I found out she was HIV positive.

(Marianne far right in blue bikini)

Her diagnosis at 24 yo instantly changed her life.  As just the 5^th woman in Victoria to become HIV+ Marianne Piesel is a true pioneer.

Determined to live on and live strong, Marianne has since gone on to become a world record title holder in both power lifting and international body building competitions.

It is over 30 years since the discovery of HIV and the disease engulfed the globe, infecting more women now that men worldwide.

In Australia, HIV mainly affects men who have sex with men.  Some of those men also sleep with women and that is why Marianne’s story is so important to us all to hear.

AND Marianne today looking gorgeous as always. 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 49:28 — 45.3MB)

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