Connie Neeskens is a physiotherapist with an interest in clinical pilates and weightlifting, thanks to a recent influx of chicks that lift seeking gluteal gains online during #iso. Connie is the proud owner of Northside Physio in Thornbury, Melbourne, and we discuss the views I shared recently in a fairly aggressive blog about the fitness industry and the potential danger of misinformation put out there by its 'professionals', preaching 'wellness', 'holistic' and 'toning', whilst neglecting the basics - quality movement, nutrition, and referral to allied health services when needed. Basically a good hearty rant over coffee and probably the best cookies in Australia. 

See rant here:

( https://www.mindgold.com.au/blog/2020/5/2/undesirable )

Red Wiard is an incredibly strong and inspiring woman. She competes as an under 82kg Strongwoman and holds two Australian championships as well as Australian records in multiple events. Red juggles competing at a high level with working as a registered nurse, and appears to be the very epitome of a super hero - saving lives and lifting heavy objects, whilst looking incredible doing it. Red and I chat about her athletic journey, her future goals, and battling the ever present misogyny directed toward women in the athletic space. 

Bailey Rogers is a ridiculously well rounded athlete, having spent the past decade alternating between elite level CrossFit and Olympic weightlifting. With a foot firmly placed in each camp, Bailey shares both her triumphs and challenges in each sport, as well as the opportunities and choices she faces in the very near future. 

Bailey and her partner Lincoln are the proud owners of NTRS CrossFit and NTRS Performance in Hobart, Tasmania. Offering intelligent programming and coaching in weightlifting and CrossFit to their community of both elite and novice athletes, this power couple lead by example and preach mindset, recovery and nutrition as non-negotiable components of optimal performance. 

Jess Fithen is the world's strongest woman, and creator of the You Look Like A Man (YLLAM) Instagram page. Rather than simply being a retaliation against negative comments directed at athletic women online, Jess reveals the more serious intentions of YYLAM - to bring to light a much deeper level of sexism and misogyny that is displayed in this form of bullying. 

While comments around body image, technique, and general disparaging humour are irritating and offensive, many women in the athletic space are subject to harassment of a much darker nature. YLLAM aims to bring these offenders to light and provide a platform for strong women who support each other, and don't put up with this bullshit. 

Check out the article based on this interview, follow @you.look.like.a.man, and say ENOUGH to online bullying. 

https://www.mindgold.com.au/blog/2020/5/6/dicks-and-stones

Thea Baker is a counsellor, psychotherapist, coach and public speaker. She speaks openly about her own history of trauma and how these events have shaped her life and helped her learn not only about herself but how she can use that knowledge to help others. Thea is a beacon of hope in the fitness industry, she understands the therapeutic value of exercise and the importance of empathy and human connection. Join Thea and I for an aggressively real talk about the impossible battle for balance, ex husbands, and growing from grief and adversity. 

Amy Carmody has ten years of experience as a yoga teacher and has developed her unique practice from a history of weightlifting, CrossFit and gymnastics. Her rich experience and broad knowledge of strength and conditioning serves to provide her students informed movement in sessions that are not for the faint hearted. Forced into an online practice as many in the industry, Amy has truly embraced the challenge and created a platform that allows her to extend her reach all over the world. 

Caity is an osteopath and a weightlifter; a down to earth and inspirational human with a unique approach to patient care. Frustrated by the many fitness and health care professions that create an unhealthy level of dependance with their clients, she is a firm believer in empowering those in her care to take charge of their treatment; working with them to build healthy and sustainable habits that will result in long term success.

Caity and I talk #iso gains and the concept of training smarter, not harder. With our surplus pandemic  time, a gym in every garage, and a wealth of (mostly) educated programming available to us, this time is an opportunity to not just train harder and longer, but to pinpoint our weaknesses and spend quality time dedicating ourselves to training that will make us BETTER. 

For quality and educated programming, mobility work and #iso approved osteopath services contact Dr. Caity on Instagram @thebarbellosteo 

Tammy Hicks is a masters athlete and olympic weightlifter who, like others,  has had to adapt both her business and individual training to the terrors of technology in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Openly admitting an initial struggle training alone and the disappointment of the change to the competition season and her goals, Tammy has since gained a new 'silver lining' perspective. These revelations have given her valuable insight on how to motivate and encourage others in her community.

Tammy's realness goes a long way to help keep her tribe connected and strong, and I have no doubt we will be seeing a lot of strength from the Peaches and Plates posse both on and off the platform in the near future.