Innholdsfortegnelse for August/September 2025 i Women's Fitness Australia

Ok girls, I’m going to be honest… this might just be our best issue yet. With our phenomenal cover star, Chontel Duncan and her raw, powerful story on page 34; the announcement of our Women’s Fitness Awards on page 32, and sleep focused features to celebrate Sleep Health Week (August 11-15), this is one mag you will not want to put down. Chontel’s journey? It’s resilience, reinvention, and realness personified. If she can overcome what she has, it’s living proof that nothing — truly nothing — is impossible. Features you’ll love? ✔ Eat Well, Sleep Well — where three top nutritionists and I unpack the science of chrononutrition, transforming research into delicious, doable rituals. (Spoiler: eating 2 kiwifruit before bed can boost sleep by 42%... yes, really). ✔ Sleep Tourism:…

Name: Jess Sepel Expertise: Nutritionist, founder of JSHealth Vitamins Location: LA JESS, YOU’RE A POWERHOUSE! WHY ARE YOU SO PASSIONATE ABOUT WHAT YOU DO? I’ve always believed true wellness is about more than food or exercise — it’s about nourishing your body, mind and soul in a way that feels sustainable and joyful. My passion comes from personal experience. I spent years caught in cycles of restrictive eating and self-criticism before discovering a more balanced approach to health. Now, I’m on a mission to help others break free from diet culture, embrace their bodies, and feel truly well from within. Through JSHealth Vitamins, I get to create products that genuinely support wellbeing and deliver real, life-changing results — that’s a privilege I never take for granted. On tough days, all…

STATUS UPDATE: FULL NAME: Chontel DuncanHOMETOWN: Brisbane, AustraliaBORN: 21 July 1989INSTAGRAM: @chontelduncan@the.duncan.family_ Tell us a bit about your shoot – where, when, the idea behind it, etc… I’ve always been a little unexpected spicy, fun, creative, and a bit random. I love food, I love fitness, and I love doing things differently. So when I found out I had the cover, I didn’t want it to be another stock-standard fitness image of abs and biceps. I wanted the shoot to reflect the real me: the entrepreneur, the mum of five, the foodie, the woman who built her own lane and drives it with confidence. I got involved in the creative process from the start. I sent the team typical fitness cover examples, then pitched them my spin something bold, playful,…

Need something simple that works well? This barbell complex consists of five barbell exercises performed back-to-back without rest, making it an ideal training method to build muscle, burn fat, get fit and boost your metabolism with just one piece of kit! What’s even better is that it takes less than 30 minutes to do. Here’s what you need to know: a barbell complex means you won’t put your bar down at all until you’ve completed all of the exercises on the list. After warming up your body thoroughly, perform the below moves in order, completing all five reps for one set before moving to the next without putting the barbell down. When you’ve completed all five exercises, rest for two minutes and then start again from the top. You’re aiming…

If you’re one of the two million Brits who experiences seasonal affective disorder (SAD), you’ll be familiar with the drop in mood that arrives once the days get shorter. Chances are you’re also sleeping more, craving sweet and carb-rich foods, feeling lethargic and maybe even withdrawing from social activities. And you’re not alone. ‘It is normal to feel low when the weather and seasons change, but if you feel down for most of the day, you might have seasonal affective disorder,’ says fitness and nutrition expert Penny Weston (pennyweston.com). ‘You may be experiencing lower energy, anxiety, anger, stress, difficulty concentrating, irritability and overeating.’ The exact reasons for SAD aren’t clear – past research has linked it to everything from genetic mutations in the eye to low levels of vitamin D…

DR SARAH BREWER Dr Brewer is a medical expert, nutritional therapist, award-winning author and cold-water fanatic. Visit drsarahbrewer.com ‘Cold-water swimming helps to keep you in the moment – the ultimate form of mindfulness’ Q I really got into wild swimming over summer, but I haven’t yet braved it during the winter. Is it safe to continue during the colder months? And are there any extra precautions I should take? A My first ever sea swim was on September 8, 2020, and I was hooked – I’ve been almost every day since. Not only is swimming one of the best all-round exercises, working almost all body muscles, it’s also non-weight bearing, making it good for aching joints. The cold water also helps to keep you in the moment – the ultimate…

Name: Vanessa Gray Lyndon Title: Founder & Formulator, Vanessa Megan Skincare Location: Sydney YOUR SKINCARE PHILOSOPHY IS: “IF YOU CAN’T EAT IT, DON’T PUT IT ON YOUR FACE.” CAN YOU EXPLAIN THIS? It all started when my best friend, Mel, was undergoing cancer treatment—an experience that made us both deeply reconsider what we were putting in and on our bodies. One day she said, “You should never put anything on your skin that you couldn’t eat,” and it stuck with me. It’s guided everything I’ve done since. At its core, skincare should nourish, support, and protect—not compromise our health. That’s why I believe in making conscious choices that honour the body from the outside in. WHAT ARE SOME HERO INGREDIENTS IN YOUR RANGE? ● Kakadu Plum Extract: An Australian native…

STATUS UPDATE: FULL NAME: Rebecca ShandleyHOMETOWN: SydneyBORN: 26 Otober 1996INSTAGRAM: @rebeccashandley Do you have a morning routine that you swear by? Absolutely. I always start my morning with warm water and lemon, then I have a glass of water with a pinch of Baja sea salt to help replenish essential minerals and support proper hydration. After that, I have my homemade green juice which is celery, cucumber, lemon, kale, and spinach — it’s my little morning ritual of nourishment. While sipping all of this, I take time a moment to myself to write in my gratitude and manifesting journal, followed by planning out my to-do list for the day. As a busy business owner, setting the tone early with intention and discipline is so important, it keeps me grounded, focused,…

Made popular by the likes of CrossFit and Hyrox, hybrid training focuses on a combination of cardio and strength training, rather than specialising in just one training method. Hybrid workouts help athletes to be both cardiovascular-fit and functionally strong. The hybrid training workout begins with a focus on cardio – this should be a run or cycle, but could include a row or SkiErg. For the strength rounds, choose a weight that is heavy enough to challenge you but light enough to complete the full workout. For an additional challenge, increase the weight each round. HOW TO DO THIS WORKOUT Depending on equipment availability, the session can either be done with all the cardio first, followed by the strength training rounds, or by alternating. If alternating: Do 4 rounds of…

From bold new books and breakthrough beauty to unforgettable events and inspiring escapes — this season is packed with ways to energise your body, expand your mind, and elevate your wellbeing. As always, I’ve handpicked the standouts: the experiences that moved me, the products I swear by, and the people redefining wellness in real time. Whether you’re chasing deep sleep, glowing skin, stronger energy, or a moment to reset — consider this your insider guide. The wellness world is buzzing right now… and these are the names you need to know. READ Fix Your Iron First: A Must-Read for Energy, Mood + More As the most common nutrient deficiency worldwide, iron deserves more attention — and Dr Libby is making sure it gets it. “Too many people live with anxiety,…

WOMAN OF THE YEAR Leading with courage, conviction and compassion, to become the Women’s Fitness Woman of the Year is no easy feat. Outspoken, thought provoking and often speaking up when others don’t, these women are using their platforms - and voice - to educate and elevate. Whether she’s building a wellness empire, sharing her story to break the stigma, or championing women’s health in bold new ways — she’s making waves, and we’re here for it. THIS YEAR’S POWERHOUSE NOMINEES INCLUDE: BEC MILLER (Health with Bec) – Nutritionist, entrepreneur, top podcast host and founder of Health With Bec, transforming women’s lives with practical, proven strategies for sustainable weight loss and food freedom. LAURA HENSHAW Co-founder and CEO of Keep It Cleaner (KIC), author, and outspoken advocate for equality, empowerment…

1 Vivo wide space toe shoes Vivobarefoot is based on one simple insight - barefoot footwear is regenerative to human health. They are not designed to wear shoes that restrict the way our natural foot is designed to sit. These shoes are designed wide, thin and flexible for natural strength and freedom of ovement. Barefoot footwear brings people closer to nature. There is a powerful sensory connection between the feet and the brain and thus, their movement and place in the world. A Vivobarefoot shoe reconnects you to the world around you, and promote your foot’s natural strength and movement. Available: www.vivobarefoot.com/us/ 2 Leela Quantum underwear Embrace a new standard for quantum-enhanced clothing. This underwear is refined with quantum energy, making them a conduit for positive energy…

The course of your life is not written in stone. True, we are all shaped by our biology – along with our life experience and the environment we grew up in – but there’s plenty you can do to achieve your goals, however large or small. ‘While genetics lay the foundation, it’s the way we adapt to and interact with the world around us that defines who we are,’ says registered psychologist and thought-leader, Dr Bea Mackay (beainbalance.com). ‘From the moment we’re born, we begin a process of trial and error, constantly tweaking and adjusting our behaviours, attitudes and habits to better fit our circumstances.’ You’ve probably been practising this on your fitness journey already, where, using reflective thinking, you look back on the choices you made, noticing what worked…