Honesty sounds simple enough, right? Say what you mean, mean what you say. Easy. Except… it’s not. In real life, honesty lives in that awkward grey space between what you feel, how you say it, and how it lands with someone else. And nowhere does that get more “awks” (thank you to my kids for that one) than in a gym. Because the gym isn’t just a place for squats and sweat. It’s a space where people show up vulnerable. You’re tired, you’re pushing limits, sometimes you’re doubt

Autumn is a stunning time of year. The leaves change colour, the air turns crisp, and somehow, everything feels a little more magical. It’s that sweet spot where it’s no longer hot enough to be sweaty after a simple walk, but not yet cold enough to require thermal underwear and emotional support tea. The winter veggies start making an appearance at the markets, and my slow cooker comes out of hibernation. Suddenly, I’m whipping up hearty stews that make the whole house smell

I walked the “1000 Steps” on the weekend. For those of you not familiar, it’s a glorious walk at the foothills of the Dandenongs just outside Melbourne. The kind of place that sounds peaceful… until the sign at the car park gently hints at what’s to come. Native flora and fauna. Possible wildlife encounters. A light sprinkle of danger. Maybe a fall. Maybe a bite. Nothing like a little fear to spice up your Sunday morning. I arrived fully prepared. Long pants. Drink bottle. Al

What’s the worst thing that can happen to a trainer? Injuring yourself. It sounds dramatic, but in our line of work it’s true. Trainers spend their days holding up a mirror to the benefits of training. We are meant to represent the “after” photo clients aspire to. The strong, capable human who lifts regularly, moves well, and seems to glide through life with suspiciously good posture. So when a trainer gets injured it feels deeply ironic. The person selling the benefits of tr

I went on what people call a ‘mini break’. How does one define that exactly? Excellent question - because this is a brand new concept for me. Apparently, other people have been doing this for years, taking a long weekend to pause life, recharge, and breathe. Meanwhile, I’ve been over here thinking “who has time for that?” But within hours of arriving at my destination, I got it. I morphed into ‘Holiday Nat’. Most people know Wonder Woman Nat, Mum Nat, or Working Nat - but Hol

On the rare occasion I do a yoga class, there is a mantra I keep hearing. “Listen to your body.” I find this fascinating, particularly when I compare the yoga space to my gym space. In the gym, the floor is scattered with heavy equipment. Kettlebells, barbells, plates. Objects that exist for one purpose only. To challenge you. The room is unapologetically upright, demanding and noisy. The yoga studio, on the other hand, is open and calm. A thin mat on the floor, inviting you

What a great morning I’ve had! Yes, I know, that’s a bold opening. But I genuinely have a pep in my step today. You see, my morning has been full of positivity and joy, and I can’t help but want to pass that on. There must be something in the air (⚠️ warning: shameless self-promotion incoming) because the moment I stepped through the doors at Wonder Woman Fitness this morning , the good vibes just kept rolling in like the most delightful tsunami imaginable. My first client o

My friend recently ran a raffle to raise money for a sporting charity. A genuinely wonderful cause helping underprivileged kids join sports teams they otherwise couldn’t afford. The benefits of movement start young, and being part of a team can literally change a child’s life. Kids who grow up in sport are less likely to drift into gangs, drugs, or that “wrong crowd” we all warned each other about in the 90s. I may sound 105 years old saying it, but it’s true. History has sho

Listening to your body. But which voice are we listening to? On the rare occasion I do a yoga class, there is a mantra I keep hearing. “Listen to your body.” I find this fascinating, particularly when I compare the yoga space to my gym space. In the gym, the floor is scattered with heavy equipment. Kettlebells, barbells, plates. Objects that exist for one purpose only. To challenge you. The room is unapologetically upright, demanding and noisy. The yoga studio, on the other h

The ‘Why’ Is as Important as the ‘How’ A man came up to me at the gym while I was doing really high step-ups. He looked concerned. “Excuse me,” he said, “I don’t think you should be stepping up that high . You’ll rupture your ACL.” Ah, the unsolicited-advice-giver. Every gym has one. So I asked him, politely but curiously, why he thought that would cause an injury. See, in my training philosophy, I don’t just exercise for exercise’s sake. I train for life. For adventure. For