Support & friendship has given me confidence to step outside my comfort zone.

Anne

After retiring early from my career, I was looking for some new adventures.

I had always been into some form of fitness, but I’ve never been a fan of gyms.

I love the great outdoors but for some reason, had never considered hiking as I wasn’t confident in venturing into the bush on my own.

My first experience with Women’s Fitness Adventures was Monday HikeAbout at Mt Cootha. I was blown away by how much I enjoyed it, the way it’s was run and the friendly group of women, who were so welcoming.

Everyone has a story and everyone’s life takes them one a different journey.

My journey was a wonderful ride along a career that led me to many places, experiences and adventures. I was a Detective Superintendent in the Australian Federal Police and over 31 years I got to live in many places around Australia and overseas, including working with the UN in Cyprus and Sudan and several years in the Solomon Islands.

It may sound exciting and indeed it was, however it wasn’t without it’s sacrifices and challenges. After move number 17 since leaving home at 20, the nomadic life had lost it shine so at the age of 53 I took early retirement and looked towards the next phase of my life.

I’ve been fortunate in being able to do both local adventures and multi-day hike in Australia and overseas. One adventure that stays with me as a great achievement is climbing Mt Sonder in the West McDonnell ranges, in the dark before dawn.

The support and friendship of the leaders and members, has given me the confidence to step outside my comfort zone.

Without Women’s Fitness Adventures, I would not have had the stamina and courage to walk the Camino de Santiago last year. I still can’t believe I walked 800km across the north of Spain!

Anne having finished hiking the 800km Camino trek.

I’m a foundation member of Women’s Fitness Adventures so I’ve been here for a few years now. Being retired doesn’t mean that life slows down which only happens if you let yourself slow down.

Women’s Fitness Adventures provides more than just a form of fitness, it’s also the time I can spend with friends that I’ve made along the way, from regularly attending Monday HikeAbouts to amazing adventures.

There’s been a lot of laughs and many of the world’s problems solved on top of mountains in Japan, New Zealand and Italy

Anne hikes to the top of Mt FuranoDake in Japan

‘I couldn’t do what you do’ is a phrase I hear quite often from some of my friends.

When I started, I didn’t think I could walk up Mt Cootha, but with the encouragement and support of the leaders and the other women that day, I did manage the climb.

As we approach middle age and beyond, we often have the resources and time to travel and take on new interests.

However, sometimes we no longer have the ability, confidence, fitness level, body mass index and or other excuse not to try something new and physically challenging.

It may be daunting but all it takes is the first step.


Anne has been an active member since 2016 and has completed many adventures in that time. Women’s Fitness Adventures helps women become stronger and fitter for life through an adventure that combines fitness, travel and a social connection to a like minded community. For more information visit our website, email info@womensfitnessadventures.com or call 0412 121 420 Since 2014, Yvonne Shepherd, Founder & CEO has shared her passion of helping women 45 plus get fitter and stronger through outdoor adventures and in turn, lead stronger and fitter lives

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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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