While health and fitness often tend to be pushed onto the backburner by the time many young Aussies reach this age, Felicity is moving in the other direction, taking her commitment to health, fitness and sporting success to the next level.

At the same time, Felicity is still enjoying life as a teenager. She has found that success requires balance - something that is often missing in elite young athletes, and which all too often results in burn out.

Already a national junior champion, this young Queenslander blitzed the field at the recent ITC Triathlon World Championship, in Queenstown, New Zealand, taking out the coveted Female Junior Elite title.

And now that she has completed her year 12 studies, she has more time to focus on her preparation for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.

That includes talking her training up an extra notch or two, paying even greater attention to her already impressive nutritional and supplement program, and learning more from her mentors, fellow BSc Triathlon (www.bsctriathlon.com.au) team members, two-times Australian Sprint Champion Craig Alexander, Matt Clark, a member of the prestigious Timex Team, and another new recruit, Under-23 Australian Olympic Distance Champion, Luke McKenzie.

After her results in New Zealand, where she powered home, overtaking Portugal's Vanessa Fernandez who was at one stage 35 seconds ahead, those in the know are predicting big things for Felicity.

She has already demonstrated that her success at the World Championships was no fluke by re-qualifying for the 2004 championships in Madeira, Spain, at the Junior Sprint Championships in St Kilda, Melbourne, in January.

Although her training is now focused on the Olympic Trials in Coffs Harbour, NSW and Perth, Western Australia later this year, Felicity still recognises the importance of balance in life.

This is not to say she is not wholly committed to her sport - simply that she understands that there must be more to life in order to withstand the physical and psychological pressure of competing at elite level, particularly as a junior.

"I'm lucky enough to have a great support network, which includes my parents," Felicity said.

"My family is very sports-oriented, in fact my twin brother is also an Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) athlete and an Australian Rugby Institute Scholarshipholder, and so everyone understands what's involved in competing at this level.

"My training partner and coach Rina Hill is great and the AIS and Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) helps me in so many ways.

"The support I have received from Body Science has also been invaluable and their products have made a big difference to my performance."

A Day in the Life of Felicity Abram

So what does the typical day look like for one of Australia's rising young sports stars? It's not for the faint-hearted, that's for sure, although Felicity does not seem to think it is gruelling (some of us beg to differ).

"My day usually begins with a 4:30am swim and I am then back home by 7:30am for breakfast which includes a protein shake, fruit and toast bread, then it's off to school, though that will change now that I have completed year 12," she said.

"Twice a week I go to the QAS gym - which will soon change to three times a week. This is usually between midday and 2pm.

"My afternoon session is usually a run, either track (grass) or treadmill.

"I also bike three mornings per week - two of these sessions are time trials and the third is usually hill work.

"My routine is fairly flexible. Rina and I change it around to suit each other."

Recognising the importance of rest and recovery, Felicity tries to fit in a power nap during the day, and is generally in bed by 8:30pm most nights.

If you're looking for the 'balance' mentioned earlier - stay tuned. Felicity admits that while training and good nutrition is the cornerstones of success in any sport, relaxing and having fun are just as vital.

"Luckily my family enjoys eating healthy foods, so I follow a good low-fat diet. But having said that, we still manage trips to Cold Rock once of twice a week," she said.

"My hobbies include reading, cooking, painting and now surfing, as dad gave me a surfboard for Christmas."

Despite her focus on good health, it has not all been smooth sailing for Felicity. In December 2001 she contracted Glandular Fever, and it is only the past six months that she has been able to train as consistently as she did prior to getting sick.

"I have to say that the Body Science products I have been using have made a huge difference to my recovery and overall training," she said.

"I use the NEBS Recovery, HMB, EcoAde and Melibol. The great thing is that I have had input into the development of some of these products and have helped to test them in real-life situations, so I know how well they work.

"It's really exciting to a part of that as it means I am also helping other athletes."

Although school is over and she has a world title under her belt, Felicity has plenty on her plate to keep her busier than ever this year.

"I have the Olympic Trials, and I will probably travel more this year. I'm really looking forward to the AIS camp at Aix le Bain, France in July/August, she said.

"I will also continue my studies - maybe concentrating more on my French, for obvious reasons."

Whatever she does, one thing is for certain - Felicity Abrams is a name to watch out for in the international sporting arena.