My advice is to identify a genuine gap in the market and focus on solving real problems.
Mish Wright
From near physical setback to industry champion: Mish Wright’s story is one of resilience and revolution.
Years after a harrowing experience with postnatal fitness, she’s become a powerhouse for women’s health education, recently claiming the coveted Woman of the Year Award. When Mish first began her career as a fitness instructor as a young mum, she diligently pursued her professional qualifications and followed all the prescribed guidelines. However, her pelvic floor couldn’t cope with the strain of her training. This personal experience exposed her to the glaring lack of education in the fitness industry about training women safely.
Nearly two decades later, Mish’s commitment has helped her empower and educate thousands of fitness professionals. She now offers more than 30 online courses for the fitness industry, which have significantly benefited women’s health on a national level.
The beginning
Mish said that she started writing women’s health education for fitness professionals because she saw a glaring gap in the industry. “Most training programs are based on research of young, fit men, leaving out the specific needs of women. I wanted to change that. Over time, I’ve developed online courses that cater to fitness professionals and extend to other industries, ensuring that the education is professional, engaging, and relevant.
While I am a subject matter expert in women’s health, I can work with any organisation to craft or improve their educational offerings. Setting up my Education and Learning Consultancy was a natural progression.”
“One crucial choice was to focus exclusively on women’s health, filling an underserved niche. Continuously updating and delivering my education based on the latest research is also pivotal, as is building partnerships with key industry players. I made a name for myself as an expert in this area by writing regular articles, presenting at conferences, and applying for—and winning—various industry awards. These strategies helped establish credibility and have expanded my reach into markets outside the fitness industry.”
Filling the Education Gap
Mish explained that a critical decision was to specialize in women’s health, addressing a gap in the field. “My business prioritises women’s health and incorporates it into mainstream fitness education, which many others overlook. Recently, I became Head of Education at Women’s Fitness Education, a Registered Training Organisation that delivers Cert III and IV in Fitness. Our students also gain access to four of my best-selling courses covering pelvic floor health, pregnancy and postnatal, peri and menopause, and menstrual cycles. This comprehensive approach ensures our graduates are well-equipped to support women’s health at all life stages. It also means that we are educating a new generation of fitness professionals who have access to the “missing education” of women’s health.”
“I now have corporate interested in how they can include women’s health into their organisations, recognising that life phases such as menopause, impacts on their employees.” Miss highlighted that her business prioritizes integrating women’s health into mainstream fitness education, an area often neglected by others. She shared her recent achievement as Head of Education at Women’s Fitness Education, a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) offering Cert III and IV in Fitness. “Our students also gain access to four of my best-selling courses covering pelvic floor health, pregnancy and postnatal, peri and menopause, and menstrual cycles. This comprehensive approach ensures our graduates are well-equipped to support women’s health at all life stages. It also means that we are educating a new generation of fitness professionals who have access to the “missing education” of women’s health.
“I now have corporate interested in how they can include women’s health into their organisations, recognising that life phases such as menopause, impacts on their employees.”
Overcoming Industry Challenges
My advice is to identify a genuine gap in the market and focus on solving real problems. Stay adaptable and open to feedback.
Mish acknowledged facing challenges within the industry, including scepticism towards integrating women’s health and the difficulty of shifting well-established training practices. She described frequently encountering the question of neglecting men’s health.” I have often fielded the question: What about men’s health? Over time, it has become easier to explain the gender bias, as men’s bodies are the default in research and education. Overcoming these challenges involved persistence, presenting strong evidence, and forming alliances with forward-thinking professionals. Important lessons include the power of resilience, the importance of staying true to your mission, and the necessity of continuous learning and adaptation.”
“My advice is to identify a genuine gap in the market and focus on solving real problems. Stay adaptable and open to feedback. Building a supportive network and continuous learning are crucial. Key lessons include the value of perseverance, the power of a clear vision, and the impact of passionately believing in your mission.”
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