In this episode, Dani chats with Bree Maddock — pregnancy & postpartum strength coach, twin mum of three, and no-BS advocate for motherhood, movement, and mindset. Bree shares how she went from working retail and battling self-doubt to building a successful online coaching business that helps moms rebuild strength, confidence, and consistency. You’ll hear stories of evolution, boundary-setting, and mindset resets. If you’ve ever felt “too late,” overwhelmed by motherhood, or unsure ...

Recent WFE grad Sarah Martin shares how she went from corporate chaos to coaching confidence—juggling kids, study, and life to complete her Cert III & IV in just seven months. She opens up about tackling practical assessments (hello, camera nerves), her “10-minute” time-management rules, and the power of community and support. If you’re thinking about becoming a trainer—or you’re a busy mum wondering if you can actually fit study in—this one’s your sign to rip the bandaid off and get it d...

Dani sits down with Carol “Caz” Attieh, founder of Fit by Caz and the philosophy she calls Sweat Therapy—a boutique, community-first space helping women feel strong, confident and empowered. Caz shares how a post-baby reality check (after child #3!) and one great group class changed everything: from hating gyms to falling in love with lifting, training friends in the park, carting kettlebells through the Sydney CBD as a mobile PT, and ultimately opening her home studio that now serves ...

In this episode of the Women's Fitness Education podcast, host Dani speaks with Olympia, a new personal trainer, about her journey into the fitness industry. They discuss the importance of backing oneself, empowering women through fitness, overcoming stigmas associated with age and appearance in the gym, and the rewarding aspects of coaching. Olympia shares her experiences, challenges, and the significance of empathy in building connections with clients. The conversation emphasizes that anyon...

In this episode, Mish sits down with Jen Dugard, founder of MumSafe™ and long-time advocate for women’s health in fitness, to talk about something that usually flies under the radar — board nominations. Jen’s currently up for re-election to the AUSactive Board, and she’s not here to play politics — she’s here to talk about what it really means to have a voice at the table that represents exercise professionals. They unpack: How AUSactive has evolved from “the boys’ cl...

In this episode of the Women’s Fitness Education Podcast, Dani chats with Samantha Hagger, a personal trainer at AquaLink, founder of Whole Body Conditioning, and finalist for the 2025 AusActive Personal Trainer of the Year Award. Sam shares how she left a successful sales career at 40 to follow her passion for fitness, starting out by training parents on the school oval with nothing but some bands, dumbbells, and determination. What began with just two clients grew into a thriving busi...

In this episode of the Women’s Fitness Education Podcast, Dani chats with Toni, founder of Beautiful and Balanced Bodies and finalist for the AusActive Personal Trainer of the Year Award. With 13 years of experience as a personal trainer and nutritionist, Toni has built a career focused on empowering women through every life stage. She shares how she started in fitness straight out of high school, her passion for training women, the burnout that forced her to step away, and how she cam...

In this episode of the Women’s Fitness Education Podcast, Dani chats with Karys Ann, also known as the “I Kann Queen.” Karys is an international law of attraction and empowerment coach, motivational speaker, and ambassador for Turned Up Fitness—a high-energy, female-empowerment dance program that’s growing across Australia and New Zealand. Karys shares her personal journey from losing confidence and direction to finding herself again through dance and then helping other women transform...

In this episode, Dani interviews Palma, a passionate fitness trainer who shares her inspiring journey in the fitness industry. From her early beginnings in personal training to overcoming challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, Parma discusses her growth, mindset, and the importance of helping others achieve their fitness goals. She emphasises the significance of mental alignment in achieving physical success and shares insights on building a successful fitness business. Takeaways Her first ...

In this episode of the Women's Fitness Podcast, Mish chats with the radiant Leah Cooper – yoga teacher, face yoga practitioner, and host of The Wellbeing Room podcast. Leah shares how she stumbled into the world of face yoga during a rough patch in her 40s… and how it literally and emotionally helped her lift her face and her spirits. We talk about: How face yoga actually works (no yoga mat needed – but cold water and facial oil, yes please)The science and habit-stacking behind this si...

In this episode of the Women’s Fitness Education Podcast, Dani sits down with Jacqui Somerville, founder of Mum & Mini Fitness in WA and AusActive finalist for the People’s Choice Small Business Award. Jacqui’s story is one of resilience, passion, and community. From overcoming an eating disorder to creating a space where mums can train alongside their kids, she’s built a business that empowers women far beyond just the physical results. Dani and Jacqui chat about: How Jacqui’s own recove...

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 intimate partner violence (IPV). Most of the research out there points to yoga and other mind-body pract...

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 exercise professionals across Australia can get involved. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why a...

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 the fitness industry and the importance of listening to clients' needs to foster long-term relation...

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 personal journey into yoga and breathworkThe link between breath, the nervous system, and emotion...

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 rapid growth in building a community of over 1300 women. Jordie also highlights the signific...

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 little?”“How do I go from best-kept-secret to booked-out expert?”“Is it just me, or is hiding be...

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 challenges, how she built confidence, the power of community at women-only gyms, and her advice for wo...

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 importance of mentorship, building a community, and the need for trainers to have in-person experience before moving...

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, transitioning online, and why true transformation goes beyond just physical results. Takeaway...