The 2023 Fuel Women’s Fitness Business Summit was held on 27th April at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney. The event was sold out weeks prior and the good vibes were flowing in the room, with a strong undercurrent of friendship, encouragement, and excitement. With the relaunch of What’s New in Fitness still in its infancy, I decided to grab myself an early bird ticket and soak up as much as I could from this opportunity!
The 2023 Fuel Womens Fitness Business Summit
This year’s theme was Innovation, Failure, Success, and aimed to celebrate the way we move through perceived failures to ultimately achieve our goals, rather than being knocked down and giving up. Fuel Summit organisers Alisha Smith and Deb Goldberg created an engaging and inspiring line-up of speakers for the day, with attendees shedding both laughter and tears.
Photograph courtesy of Candice Epthorp
Guest speakers brought both integrity and wisdom
Guests enjoyed presentations from industry icons including Fernwood Founder Diana Williams, Les Mills Program Director Rachel Newsham, and even a visit from the owner of IDEA Health and Fitness, Amy Boone-Thompson. These women openly shared their journeys with the crowd, who were able to draw nuggets of wisdom from their decades of experience in the fitness industry.
Against the spectacular backdrop of the Harbour Bridge, sales expert Abbie White gave an insightful presentation on the future of sales and marketing, (SMARKETING) and we enjoyed a thought-provoking talk from Michell Furniss, the General manager at True Coach by XPlor. Michelle described her experience growing up as a racially diverse child in a very Anglo-Saxon Australia and then how she had seen first-hand the importance of diversity in teams and workplaces. Michelle was open and vulnerable, retelling how she had, as a manager, failed to recognise cultural differences among her own team in the past, and how she had learned from that and used those learnings to be a better leader and team member.
Photograph courtesy of Candice Epthorp
Photograph courtesy of Candice Epthorp
Guest presenters also included group fitness instructor Kathy Johnsun, whose talk on “The Unexpected Joys of Training the Elderly” took us on an emotional rollercoaster, but was told with such candid openness that it was the highlight for me, personally. We also got to hear from Gympie gym and recovery centre owner, Fiona Keable about how she has created an inclusive community, not only for the diversity she has within her own membership but also for how she is building relationships with other business owners in the area.
Photograph courtesy of Candice Epthorp
There were several other guest speakers on the stage throughout the day, plus a Q&A Panel, and the entire event was warmly MC’d by PT Academy’s Melony Dos Remedios. As the sun set over Sydney Harbour and the number of discarded heels grew under the tables, friendships were made and emails exchanged. Kelly Weideman from Evolt was presented with the Fuel Woman of the Year 2023 Award and some kind of weird dance competition erupted in the shameless bid to win free goodies thanks to the event sponsors!
It was a thoroughly enjoyable day for me, and as you can tell from these photos, for everyone in attendance. I’ll certainly be keen to attend again next year. In the meantime, I’m looking forward to the FitHer Expo in Sydney this October. The first of its kind, the FitHer Expo is the largest and only consumer-focused event for women in Australia to elevate, inspire and connect. Hopefully, I’ll see you there!
Photograph courtesy of Candice Epthorp
Photograph courtesy of Candice Epthorp
Check out these articles:
Fitness Cartel Maroochydore Reopens After $3.6 Million Rebuild
Fitness Cartel officially reopened its Maroochydore club on Saturday 25 July, capping off a $3.6 million refurbishment. Founder and CEO Nathan James spoke to What’s New in Fitness about the reinvestment, the new demographic it’s already drawing in, and what smaller gym operators can take from it. “Phenomenal,” is how James described reopening weekend. “We
Get Ready for the 2026 AusFitness Expo Sydney
This article was updated July 2026. Thinking about heading to AusFitness Expo Sydney in 2026? The countdown is well and truly on, with the festival of health, fitness and bodypower returning to ICC Sydney from Friday 11 to Sunday 13 September. Whether you’re all about lifting heavy, chasing a new personal best, or hunting down
Gear Up for AusFitness Industry Sydney 2026
This article was updated July 2026. The AusFitness Industry Trade Show & Summit is back at ICC Sydney on 11-12 September 2026, and for anyone working in the fitness business, it’s probably the most useful two days on the calendar. It’s the only dedicated fitness and wellness trade show in Australia, and it’s where gym
Fuelling a New Era of Women in Fitness Industry Career Progression
Women in the fitness business Australia have long been the backbone of an industry they have rarely been invited to lead. Despite representing more than half of gym members and a significant share of the fitness workforce, women remain underrepresented at ownership and senior leadership level across the country. That conversation is getting louder in
Why 80% of Personal Trainers Quit Within a Year and How AI Is Fixing It
The fitness industry has a personal trainer problem. Not a talent problem. A system problem. And new AI-driven technology is exposing just how outdated the model really is. Picture this: a newly qualified personal trainer, six months into their first gym role, technically excellent and genuinely passionate about helping people move better. But they are
Boutique Fitness Trends in 2026 and What They Mean for Australian Studio Owners
New research from boutique fitness management platform bsport surveyed more than 550 studio members globally to find out what drives discovery, loyalty and growth. The findings have significant implications for how Australian fitness businesses operate, market and grow. Running a boutique fitness studio in Australia has never been more competitive. New studios are opening constantly,
Viva Leisure Enters Value Fitness Segment With Zoo Fit Brand
Australia’s second-largest fitness network is making its boldest portfolio move yet, and it’s one fitness professionals and gym operators across the country should be watching closely. Viva Leisure has officially announced the launch of Zoo Fit, a new low-cost gym brand set to open its first locations in Western Australia in late July 2026. The
Why HYROX Training Is Reshaping the Australian Fitness Industry
More than 1.5 million people globally now compete in HYROX annually. In Australia, the race-style fitness format has moved well past early adopter status and into the mainstream, and the business of fitness is starting to reflect that shift in a serious way. Virgin Active Australia’s recently launched HYROX partnership gives the industry one of
How Smart Gym Owners Are Turning the HYROX Boom Into a Retention Engine
The Les Mills x HYROX partnership isn’t just big news for the fitness industry. For gym owners and fitness professionals across Australia, it’s a ready-made solution to one of the hardest problems in the business: keeping members engaged long enough to stay. Walk the floor of almost any commercial gym in Australia right now and