Women's Fitness Podcast

This week on the Women’s Fitness Podcast , I’m joined (again!) by my good friend and powerhouse researcher, Thea Baker. Thea isn’t just a brilliant clinical counsellor and psychotherapist — she’s also a PhD candidate at Deakin University digging deep into something that hasn’t had much attention: how moderate-to-vigorous exercise, like boxing, can support women’s recovery after experiencing intima...

  Episode Summary In this episode, Mish chats with Mariana Ivantsoff, Senior Policy and Advocacy Advisor at AusActive, about why political advocacy matters for the fitness industry and the impact of grassroots initiatives like Million Moves. They dive into how engaging government can benefit fitness professionals, the success of Million Moves in Queensland, and how trainers, gym owners, and exerci...

In this conversation, Aida, the owner and head coach of Boss Fitness, shares her journey in the fitness industry, focusing on the importance of community, mentorship, and creating a safe space for women. She discusses the challenges she faced, the growth of her business, and the significance of training staff to ensure a consistent experience for clients. Aida emphasizes the need for passion in th...

In this episode, Mish speaks with Zev Tropp, a yoga teacher, artist, and breathwork facilitator, about the role of breath in movement, mindfulness, and daily life. From ancient yogic teachings to modern breathwork practices, they explore how breath can be used as a tool for both up-regulation and down-regulation—helping us manage stress, emotions, and even physical performance. They unpack: Zev’s...

 In this episode of the Women's Fitness Education podcast, host Dani speaks with Jordie White, founder of Fierce Fits, a women's only boxing bootcamp. Jordie shares her journey into the fitness industry, her passion for boxing, and the challenges she faced in a male-dominated sport.  She emphasizes the importance of creating a welcoming environment for women in boxing and discusses her r...

  You might know Jen Dugard as the powerhouse behind MumSafe™ and a long-time advocate for safe exercise during motherhood. But in this episode, we get into the other side of her mission: helping fitness professionals build a damn good business—one that doesn’t burn them out or leave them broke at tax time. This is a chat for anyone who’s ever thought: “Why am I working so hard and earning so litt...

In this inspiring episode, Dani chats with Amy Luttrell—Fernwood Tuggeranong Club Manager and 2025 AusActive Awards finalist for Manager of the Year. Amy shares how she transitioned from a corporate career to the fitness industry while on maternity leave, built her own PT business, and eventually stepped into a leadership role managing over 60 staff and 1,800+ members. We dive into her early chall...

In this episode of the Women's Fitness Education Podcast, host Dani speaks with Bec Gibbs, an experienced online coach who transitioned from in-person training to online coaching. They discuss Bec's journey in the fitness industry, her passion for helping women transform their lives, and the challenges she faced while pivoting to online coaching. The conversation highlights the importanc...

In this episode of the Women’s Fitness Education Podcast, host Danni chats with Tia, founder of the True Wellness Transformation Project. With over a decade of experience and a thriving coaching business alongside her corporate job, Tia shares her journey from fitness competitions to creating a holistic coaching model for high-achieving women. They dive into building confidence, navigating burnout...

In this episode, Lisa Price shares her inspiring journey from a gym enthusiast to the founder of Body Reset Fitness, focusing on women's health. She discusses her experiences in the fitness industry, the importance of community support, and the challenges she faced in establishing her business. Lisa emphasizes the significance of empowering women to take ownership of their health and the rewa...

Lauren C-S Podcast notes Exploring Female Physiology in Fitness with Dr. Lauren Colenso-Semple In this engaging conversation, Dr. Lauren Colenso-Semple, a muscle physiology researcher, discusses her journey into the field of female physiology, exercise, and nutrition. She emphasizes the importance of understanding sex-based differences in exercise science, while also highlighting that men and wome...

In this episode, Sarah Campbell shares her journey from studying exercise science to becoming a successful fitness professional specializing in pre and postnatal fitness. She discusses her experiences working at Preggy Bellies, the challenges she faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how she built her own business, Mamas on the Move. Sarah emphasizes the importance of community, collaboration wi...

In this episode of the Women's Fitness Podcast, host Mish Wright interviews Marietta Mahanni, a prominent figure in the fitness industry. They discuss Marietta's journey from a young girl in a small town to becoming a fitness superstar and entrepreneur. The conversation covers her early struggles with acceptance, her passion for group fitness, and her transition into teaching. Marietta s...

In this episode of the Women's Fitness Education Podcast, host Danielle Mondo speaks with Kate Hickey, founder of Empower 360 Fitness. Kate shares her journey from being a professional dancer to becoming a fitness trainer and entrepreneur. She discusses the challenges she faced in creating a fitness program for young women and the importance of body positivity. Kate emphasizes the need to sup...

In this episode of the Women's Fitness Podcast, Mish interviews Emma Masters, a fitness professional who transitioned from a career in musical theatre to the fitness industry. Emma shares her journey of discovering her passion for fitness, the challenges she faced in building her career, and the creation of her boutique fitness studio, Therapy Fitness. The conversation delves into the importa...

In this episode, Kirra shares her inspiring journey from hating exercise to becoming a successful female trainer and gym owner. She discusses her early struggles with fitness, the pivotal moments that ignited her passion for training, and the challenges she faced during her career, including the impact of COVID-19.  Kirra emphasises the importance of confidence, the value of female empowerment in...

In this episode of the Women's Fitness Podcast, Mish Wright speaks with Dr. Davina Woods, an Aboriginal educator and author, about the significance of acknowledging country in fitness and wellness spaces. They explore the cultural importance of these acknowledgements, the role of fitness instructors, and practical ways to incorporate this practice into classes. Davina shares insights into Abo...

In this episode of the Women's Fitness Podcast, host Mish Wright speaks with Amanda Chan-Borell, a fitness professional from New Zealand, about her journey in the fitness industry, the importance of variety in exercise, and the unique approach of her fitness facilities, Habitat and Rebel Pilates. They discuss the challenges and misconceptions surrounding menopause and fitness, the significanc...

In this episode, Mish chats with Anna Hearn, founder of Haven Wellness , about what true inclusivity in fitness spaces looks like. We delve into the nuances of creating environments where all women feel seen, safe, and supported—not just welcomed in theory, but genuinely catered to in practice. We discuss: – The importance of trauma-informed approaches in fitness – How CBD can play a role in women...

Louise is a pre & postnatal fitness instructor and educator with BSc and MSc psychology qualifications and an 11 year research and clinical career in the field. For the majority of her adult life she has struggled with her own body image, believing her personal and professional worth was tied to the way her face and body looked. It wasn’t until Louise had children that she realised she didn’t...

Alissa To’omata is a visionary leader in fitness media, blending movement, creativity, and empowerment to inspire the next generation of fitness professionals. With over two decades in the industry, she played a pivotal role in launching Zumba in Australia, danced with Madonna, and redefined group fitness through innovative strength, HIIT, Pilates, and dance programs. As the former Chief of Group...

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Carol and Trudi, the mother-daughter team behind Third Age Fitness, are passionate advocates for older adult fitness with over 60 years of combined industry experience. Both hold Certificate III/IV in Fitness and Certificate IV in Training & Assessment, along with additional certifications in areas like Pilates, Pelvic Floor Fitness, and Understanding Dementia. Their mission is to help older a...

Rachel is a voice expert with 30 years of experience helping individuals, from singers to speakers, find their true voice. She holds a Bachelor of Education from The University of Melbourne and is an accredited Advanced Voice Teacher with the Institute for Vocal Advancement. With experience working with singers, actors, public speakers, podcasters, and corporate professionals, Rachel specializes i...

Kirstin Bouse is a Clinical and Forensic Psychologist with nearly 30 years of experience, specializing in forensic assessments, trauma, pregnancy, motherhood, and menopause, with a focus on the intersection of perimenopause and ADHD. After leading Perth Psychology Collective for 18 years, she transitioned to a solo practice offering supervision for practitioners and reflective guidance using a ran...