As I write this, I’m sitting in an airport somewhere between Melbourne and Italy. It sounds terribly glamorous, doesn’t it? “In transit.” Reality check: I’m eight hours into a layover, surrounded by charging cables, rolling suitcases and people sleeping in positions that defy human anatomy. I’m used to moving. Running a gym means I spend most of my day on my feet, demonstrating exercises, walking around the studio and chatting to clients. Sitting still for eight hours feels c

It’s that time of year when our Wonder Women start disappearing to warmer climates. Thailand. Italy. Croatian cruises. Family holidays. Solo adventures. Anywhere that isn’t Melbourne in winter. And, without fail, I start getting the same request. “Can you write me a workout to do while I’m away?” Absolutely. The eternal optimist in me lovingly writes strength sessions, imagining them being completed on a hotel balcony overlooking the Mediterranean or on a quiet beach at sun

Don’t tell anyone, but one of the quiet perks of specialising in strength and mobility for menopausal women is this: I get to train athletes. My clients laugh when I tell them I coach them the same way elite sporting strength and conditioning coaches train their teams. But I’m not joking. Elite coaches might be preparing athletes for a 45-minute game played on a field with rules, referees and clearly marked boundaries. I’m preparing my athletes for life. And life, as we’ve al

A new client said something to me recently that made me smile. At the end of her first session she said, “I hope I can’t walk tomorrow.” Not “I hope I get stronger.” Not “I hope my knee feels better.” Not “I hope I can carry my groceries more easily.” She wanted pain. As proof that the workout had worked. I understand where it comes from. Many of us grew up in the era of boot camps, punishment workouts and fitness instructors who seemed personally offended if you could sit do

Board games are having a resurgence. I don’t know about you, but my friends are learning Mahjong and Bridge with greater fervour than Year 12 students in swotvac. Degustation dinners are out. Board games with a side of Prosecco are in. And with this newfound desire for connection comes something else. Competition. I am seeing a side of my friends I never witnessed while we were busy raising children, building careers and navigating adulthood together. They want to win. Not po

A new client said something to me recently that made me smile. At the end of her first session she said, “I hope I can’t walk tomorrow.” Not “I hope I get stronger.” Not “I hope my knee feels better.” Not “I hope I can carry my groceries more easily.” She wanted pain. As proof that the workout had worked. I understand where it comes from. Many of us grew up in the era of boot camps, punishment workouts and fitness instructors who seemed personally offended if you could sit do

“I’ve just been for a walk.” “I ran from the car.” “I’d rather spend my 45 minutes training than warming up.” Sound familiar? At Wonder Woman Fitness, warming up is often the least-loved part of the session. We get it. You’re busy. You want to get to the weights. But a proper warm-up isn’t time wasted—it’s what helps you get the most from the work that follows. Think of it as preparing your body for the task ahead. A leisurely walk might raise your heart rate, but it doesn’t

For almost five years at Wonder Woman Fitness, I’ve watched women walk through our doors wanting change. Not just aesthetic change, although of course many arrive wanting to feel more comfortable in their clothes again. But deeper change too. Better sleep. More energy. Less pain. More confidence. Strength. Routine. Momentum. A sense of control in bodies that often feel unfamiliar during perimenopause and menopause. And like most trainers, I’ve spent years trying to help clien

Today is Wonder Woman Fitness photo shoot day. And before you imagine Vogue covers, wind machines and supermodels draped over kettlebells… let me assure you, it is not quite that glamorous. Every six months we do a shoot to gather fresh photos for our blogs, newsletters and social media. Which means when you see a polished image attached to one of these rambling thoughts of mine, please appreciate the effort that went into capturing it. Because unlike professional models, mos

There’s a phrase many of us grew up with: “Just push through.” I certainly did. I was raised by Eastern European post war parents and resilience was considered a virtue above almost everything else. You got on with it. If you were tired, sore, stressed or slightly unwell, you kept moving. Rest was reserved for people who were practically unconscious. And honestly? That mindset served me well in many ways. It taught discipline. Commitment. Work ethic. But over the years, both