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read more2024 AUSactive Educator of the Year and advocate for women's health in fitness, Mish Wright, is using her platform to spotlight a pressing issue that has long been overlooked - misogyny entrenched in the education system for fitness professionals, particularly in the design and delivery of Certificate III and IV qualifications.
Having built her career on challenging the status quo, Wright isn't here for the accolades alone and shares "It's great to be recognised, but let's be real - these Cert III and IV qualifications are still based on research on young, fit men. Women are an afterthought. And that's a problem."
As the head of education for Women's Fitness Education, Wright has long been an outspoken advocate for the inclusion of women's health in the fitness industry curriculum.
Her journey began after a traumatic experience of training herself into pelvic floor dysfunction following the birth of her second child.
Wright notes "I was following the advice and training protocols that were available to me - and they failed me. Not because I did anything wrong, but because the system wasn't built with women in mind."
The glaring gap in fitness education is about more than just incontinence or prolapse. It's about the industry's failure to acknowledge that women's bodies work differently throughout the life stages of menstruation, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause.
"Fitness professionals are graduating without the knowledge they need to work with over half the population, and it's unacceptable that they have to pay extra for this vital education," Wright explains.
Wright's work has not gone unnoticed. She's developed specialised courses, including the EVEolution™ program, designed to address these educational gaps. Women's Fitness Education now offers a comprehensive approach, ensuring that fitness professionals understand how to adapt training for women's specific needs regardless of whether they choose to specialise.
In addition to her advocacy within the fitness industry, Wright consults to organisations that want to include women's health into their education. She also runs menopause workshops for all staff or clients (or both).
Wright asserts "this is a systemic issue that goes beyond fitness. It's misogyny in education frameworks. What we're seeing in fitness education mirrors what's happening across the board."
Her 2024 Educator of the Year win from AUSactive highlights the success of her mission so far. Still, Wright is clear that this is just the beginning, adding "winning this award is an incredible honour, but it also means I've got a bigger platform to call out the BS. The industry needs to evolve to reflect the diverse needs of its audience. Women have more access to information than ever and are rightfully demanding better."
In an industry that still views women's health as a 'nice-to-have,' Wright’s message is clear: women's health is not optional - it's essential ... and it's time fitness education caught up.
Mish Wright
Mish Wright is a Melbourne-based educator, consultant, and head of Women's Fitness Education, a leading organisation providing women's health education to fitness professionals. She is the creator of the EVEolution™ program and a passionate advocate for integrating women's health into mainstream fitness education. Sheh has been recognised as Educator of the Year in Australia (2021), New Zealand (2023), FUEL Woman of the Year for advocacy for women's health and now the 2024 AUSactive Educator of the Year.
28th October 2024 - Women encouraged to get active together during VicHealth’s 2024 This Girl Can Week
23rd October 2024 - Fernwood Fitness and Plus Fitness among 2024 Topfranchise award winners
18th October 2024 - Melinda French Gates launches $250 million global fund for women’s wellness
14th October 2024 - AUSactive Awards 2024 Winners announced at sold-out industry gala event
19th September 2024 - Sexy Ageing launches transformational app
30th July 2024 - Ignite Fitness Business Summit 2024 sells out
11th July 2024 - FitHer women’s health and fitness expo heads to Brisbane
6th May 2024 - Mish Wright secures 2024 Fuel Women’s Fitness of the Year award
19th September 2023 - University study identifies four body image types that can help inform health and fitness professionals
12th September 2023 - Muse Pilates looks to make movement accessible for all women
20th June 2023 - Webinar to address why aren’t more women progressing in the fitness industry
10th March 2023 - TeamUp partners with WIFA to help empower female fitness business owners
25th July 2022 - International survey shows male dominance in fitness management
8th March 2022 - Gold’s Gym spotlights women breaking barriers in fitness
25th June 2021 - Global survey finds that more than 50% of women harassed while training at the gym
8th March 2021 - ESSA celebrates female leaders in the exercise and sports science industry
7th March 2020 - ExerciseNZ to celebrate role of women in fitness on International Women’s Day
26th August 2019 - Female leaders gather for Ignite Women’s Fitness Business event
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