International Women’s Day 2025 is here, and this year’s theme, #AccelerateAction, could not be more fitting.

Because let’s be honest—we are done waiting.

We are done waiting for medical research to catch up to the reality of women’s bodies.
We are done waiting for fitness education to stop treating women like small men.
We are done waiting for health systems to provide real support instead of leaving women to figure it out alone.

1. So, I sat down with some of the best minds in women’s health, fitness, and education to ask two big questions:
2. If you had unlimited resources, what’s the first thing you would change to make fitness and health education more inclusive for women?
3. What’s one action—big or small—that you are taking (or want to see others take) right now to accelerate change?

Their answers? A mix of fire, frustration, and absolute clarity on what needs to happen next.

The System Isn’t Built for Us—But We Can Rebuild It

Women’s health has never been a priority in research, education, or healthcare. The result? A fitness and medical system that defaults to a male body and forces women to pay extra—if they’re lucky enough to even find the right information.
Thea Baker spoke about the urgent need for trauma-informed fitness education, recognizing that violence against women isn’t separate from our health—it’s part of it. Without this lens, how we prescribe exercise can do more harm than good.

 

Sonya Lovell and Edwina Griffin pointed to the shocking lack of medical research on women’s health—most studies still focus on men and then retrofit the findings for women. No wonder we still struggle to get clear answers about menopause, pelvic floor health, or even the impact of training around our cycles.

Jen Dugard took it further, calling for system-wide changes—starting with making pelvic health assessments standard care for every pregnant woman, covered by Medicare. Because right now? Women are left to figure out prolapse, incontinence, and postpartum recovery on their own—or not at all.

Women Aren’t Small Men—So Why Are We Training Like Them?

The fitness industry still centres on male bodies, male performance, and male recovery patterns.

Natalie Shostak runs a gym designed for menopausal women and made a point that mainstream fitness spaces still ignore this demographic. Menopause is treated like an “end” rather than a phase that requires different training, recovery, and support.

Alex Lopes dreams of a national fitness resource—a one-stop hub with research-backed programs tailored for different life stages. Because right now? Women are left Googling their symptoms and hoping for the best.

Emma Barry talked about the need to rewrite the fitness industry’s entire narrative. Instead of glorifying youth and pushing women out of spaces once they stop fitting the ‘ideal’ mold, we should be celebrating strength, longevity, and the full book of life.

Taking Action—Because No One Is Coming to Save Us

The women I spoke with aren’t just talking about change—they’re making it happen.

• Sonya Lovell fights for policy change and reminds us that self-advocacy is a radical feminist act—whether in a GP’s office or on the gym floor.
• Edwina Griffin pushes for more female leadership in the fitness industry because nothing changes without women at the table.
• Brooke Turner focuses on bridging accessibility gaps—creating education for rural, low-income, and culturally diverse women who are often shut out of health and fitness altogether.
• Lisa Saunders and Natalie Shostak normalise the hard conversations—whether it’s menopause, pelvic health, or just acknowledging that women’s needs are different.

What’s One Action YOU Can Take?

The reality is that no one is coming to fix this for us. Change will only happen if we demand, create, and refuse to back down.

So I’m asking you the same question I asked my guests:

What’s one action—big or small—that you can take today to accelerate change for women in fitness and health?

• Maybe it’s calling out bad advice when you see it.
• Maybe it’s advocating for yourself at the gym or in a doctor’s office.
• Maybe it’s sharing real, research-backed information with another woman.

Whatever it is, do it today. If we all take action, we won’t be having this conversation in another decade.

Happy International Women’s Day!

Now, let’s get to work.