Meet Gwen: Stepping Up from Walks to Adventures

Member Stories Gwen

We’re excited to share Gwen’s story. She joined us looking for more than just fitness and ended up finding a community and a new passion for multi-day hikes.

Meet Gwen:

I decided to join Women’s Fitness Adventures after completing the 5km for 5 days walking challenge. I was seeking some sort of physical exercise, but the gym didn’t appeal to me and my daily yoga routine just wasn’t sufficient. Additionally, I was facing a looming job redundancy and considering semi-retirement after years of stressful nursing jobs.

Accomplishing the summit as part of the Couch to Mountain program built my confidence, taught me to be brave, and fed my soul. It gave me the confidence to undertake multi-day hikes. Along my journey with Women’s Fitness Adventures, I’ve made some beautiful friendships with women whom I didn’t know until we trained and hiked together. I’ve found my tribe!

It’s hard to remember what life was like before joining Women’s Fitness Adventures. I was always really busy, and I still am, but the difference is that now I’m doing more of what I want. I’m hitting fitness goals with Cardio Boost, Functional Fitness classes, and hike training to be physically and mentally adventure-ready.

When people say “I’m too busy,” I can’t help but think of my many years working in palliative care. I’ve often seen how life can suddenly change, causing plans of “when I’m not so busy” to go out the window. For me, taking care of my health, avoiding regrets, and living life to the full are huge goals.

If you’re considering joining Women’s Fitness Adventures, I’d say—Just Do It. You’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish if you give it a go. The cost is small but the returns are big: fun ways to improve fitness, excellent hiking and fitness education, Masterclasses, and even a Book Club, just to name a few. Regardless of where you live, you can interact with like-minded women, learn a lot, and most importantly, have fun.

I’d recommend Women’s Fitness Adventures to any woman interested in starting or improving their hiking experience. You’ll be welcomed by a supportive, knowledgeable team and inspired by women with a sense of adventure.

I love that my husband, my biggest cheerleader and champion, now hikes with me. He also encourages me to organise my next hike with Women’s Fitness Adventures. My daughter tells her friends, “I’m so proud of my Mum; she hikes and has the determination to achieve her goals.”

You too, can achieve amazing results and be a part of Women’s Fitness Adventures!

Join our community of motivated women who are transforming their lives through fitness.

Experience the support, encouragement, and camaraderie that will fuel your journey to greatness.

Click here to learn more about becoming a member.

Have you been inspired to take a multi-day adventure yourself?

Our 2026 Domestic and International Adventures are open for bookings and places are FILLING FAST! We are offering adventures for all fitness levels.

Learn more about our adventures and secure your place.

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Yvonne Shepherd, CEO of Women's Fitness Adventures

Yvonne Shepherd is the Founder & CEO of Women’s Fitness Adventures.

Established in 2014, Women’s Fitness Adventures encourages women to become stronger for life through fitness, adventure and social connection. We do this through our online fitness & hike training programs, thriving online community and our in person multi day adventures in Australia and around the world.

Women everywhere are enjoying the support, friendship and inspiration found inside the Women’s Fitness Adventures community as they connect in real time through our online active adventures that can be done in your location, regardless of where you live.  Your area is our area because we cover every corner of Australia and would love you to join us.

Whether you are ready to go on a hiking adventure right now or it is in the planning, our Hike Training Courses, Masterclasses, Adventure Ready resources and Hike Fitness Programs will equip you with the skills and knowledge to guarantee you success and have the best time ever.

Thanks,
Yvonne

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