About

Hi, I’m Deborah - the heart behind Get Fit For Life.

I’ve always had a love of movement and fitness. Over the years, I’ve taken on plenty of personal challenges, including completing two Sparke Helmore Triathlon team events, the MS Gong Ride, the Mulga Bill 100km bike ride, plus a mix of long and short-distance cycling adventures. These experiences shaped my belief that fitness should be both fun and rewarding, no matter your age or stage of life.

What many people don’t realise is that I’ve had my own struggles with health and fitness, and I’ve also received support to overcome nutritional challenges along the way. I know firsthand how difficult it can feel to start (or restart), to overcome setbacks, and to stay consistent when life gets in the way. This is why I bring empathy, patience, and encouragement into every session, because I understand some of those challenges my clients face.

In my younger years, friends encouraged me to become a Group Instructor, as I adored Step Aerobics, and was always at the local gym. But with the busyness of work and raising a family, the timing wasn’t right. It wasn’t until my children were grown up, and I had an opportunity to work in admin at a Personal Training studio, that I decided to follow my passion properly. That’s when I completed my Cert III in Fitness (Group Instructor) and Cert IV in Fitness (Personal Training), and I haven’t looked back since!

I also had a brief stint running a fitness business partnership. Due to the challenges of COVID, that business sadly ended. I’m now in my 3rd year of running Get Fit For Life, and it has gone from strength to strength, becoming the thriving community it is today.

I’ve also gone on to complete specialised certifications in areas that allow me to better support and challenge my clients, including:

  • Pilates on the Mat, and with Small Apparatus

  • Barre Instructor

  • Training Seniors for Fitpros I & II, and Older Adults Movement & Mobility

  • Bootcamp Games

  • Boxing for Fitness Instructor

  • Kettlebell Levels I & II

  • Steel Mace Mastery, and Steel Club Levels I & II

  • Strength & Conditioning (with a focus on progressions for deadlifts, push-ups, and planks)

One of my favourite parts of group program development and instructing, is bringing variety to every session. I love using a wide range of exercise tools including resistance bands, medballs, box steps, sticks, BOSU & Swiss balls, sleds, free weights, battleropes, agility ladders, and suspension straps. Each piece adds something unique, keeping workouts fresh, fun, and functional.

Beyond fitness, I’ve always had a passion for learning. I’ve studied at both Swinburne University of Technology and the University of Newcastle, where I was honoured with the Vice Chancellor's Academic Achievement Award and awarded a Diploma of Design (Visual Communication). I also completed a Cert IV in New Business and Entrepreneurship, and in 2024, I was thrilled to win the Health Services Category at the Hunter Region Business Excellence Awards.

At Get Fit For Life, I’m passionate about helping people, especially those in their 50s, 60s and beyond to gain strength, confidence, and balance in a safe and supportive environment. Fitness isn’t about perfection - it’s about progress, resilience, and feeling capable to enjoy life to the fullest.

I am currently studying additional Pilates certifications to continue expanding my knowledge and bring even more variety to my clients.