THE FUTURE OF HEALTH & FITNESS IS 45+
Build the Skills, Confidence & Business to Lead This Market
2 Days of Practical Learning for Trainers & Allied Health Professionals Working with 45+ Clients
Gold Coast I May 29 & 30, 2026
CPD Approved
Healthy Ageing Summit 2026
29 & 30 May | Crowne Plaza Surfers Paradise
The way we approach health and fitness needs to change — especially for those over 45.
This 2-day Summit brings together leading experts, practical frameworks and real-world strategies to help you better understand ageing, improve outcomes and position yourself in a rapidly growing space.
You’ll learn how to go beyond exercise alone and confidently work with the complexities of midlife and older adults — including recovery, stress, energy and lifestyle factors.
Whether you’re a professional working with clients or simply passionate about health and ageing well, this Summit will give you tools you can apply immediately.
Why Working With 45+ Clients
Feels More Complex Than It Should
You’re doing what you’ve been taught. Programming exercise. Adjusting loads. Trying to get results. But with clients 45+, things change.
- Progress Slows
- Energy Fluctuates
- Recovery Takes Longer
- Stress, sleep & lifestyle all impact results
- And suddenly....
What used to work, doesn’t anymore. It’s not that your coaching is wrong — it’s that the model is incomplete.
To Work With 45+ Clients
Most approaches focus on exercise alone. But real results require a broader view.
What Is the Whole-Person Lens?
Instead of looking at movement in isolation, the Whole-Person Lens considers the key factors that influence how someone feels, functions and performs as they age. It connects what’s happening in the body with what’s happening in daily life.
You’ll learn how to consider:
- Movement & strength
- Recovery & sleep
- Stress & nervous system load
- Nutrition & energy
- Lifestyle & daily habits
- Connection, purpose & environment
Movement
Build strength, mobility and confidence
Nutrition
Support energy, recovery and body composition
Sleep & Recovery
Improve resilience and performance
Stress
Understand load, burnout and nervous system impact
Connection & Purpose
Influence motivation and long-term adherence
Environment
Shape habits and daily behaviours
What You'll Walk Away With
Practical skills, real-world strategies, and the confidence to work with 45+ clients more effectively.
Confidence With 45+ Clients
Know how to adjust, adapt and coach with clarity — not guesswork.
Understanding Complex Clients
Better support menopause, fatigue, chronic conditions and recovery needs.
A Broader, Integrated Coaching Skillset
Go beyond exercise and understand the key factors driving results.
Better Client Results & Retention
Deliver outcomes your clients feel — and keep them coming back.
Real-World, Practical Application
Walk away with tools and frameworks you can use immediately with clients.
Position Yourself as a Specialist
Stand out in a growing market and become more valuable in your field.
More Than Just Presentations — A Practical Learning Experience
This Summit is designed to help you apply what you learn — not just listen.
Interactive Lab Sessions
Small-group, practical sessions where you’ll work through real scenarios and walk away with tools you can use immediately.
Learn What Actually Works
No theory overload. Every session is designed to give you strategies you can implement straight away.
Beyond Exercise Alone
Learn from experts across movement, nutrition, recovery, stress, and behaviour — not just one lens.
Connect With Like-Minded Professionals
Be in the room with others working in the 45+ space — share ideas, challenges and opportunities.
👉You won’t just leave with notes — you’ll leave with clarity, direction and practical tools.
Presenters and Sessions
A carefully selected lineup of experts bringing real-world experience, practical insight and industry-leading knowledge. These are professionals working at the forefront of health, ageing and performance.
Ian O'Dwyer
Foundation Movement Specialist & Co Founder FeelSOMA
About the session
Appraising the Human Being through Observation, Listening and Curiosity
Assessment is more than a checklist—it’s a human conversation. In this immersive Feel SOMA workshop, appraisal is reframed as a process grounded in observation, listening, and genuine curiosity. Participants will explore how to move beyond isolated symptoms and instead understand the person as an integrated, adaptive system. Central to the session is the concept of tissue trust, learning to interpret pain and restriction as meaningful information rather than problems to fix. By observing movement, posture, breathing, expression and language, practitioners gain insight into mechanical patterns, neural response and fluid flow.
This session shifts the focus from chasing pain points to creating safety, support, and adaptability—empowering practitioners to deliver more intelligent, compassionate, and sustainable outcomes that support healthy ageing and long-term resilience.
About the speaker
Ian O’Dwyer is a globally respected movement specialist, educator, and co-founder of Feel SOMA, a practical self-care system that enhances movement, recovery, tissue health, and performance through accessible fascia and myofascial techniques. With nearly four decades in the health, fitness, and wellbeing space, his diverse career spans movement coaching, bodywork, sports conditioning, mentorship, and global presenting. Ian also co-founded PTA Global and led OD on Movement for over 20 years, shaping the next generation of movement professionals.
Known affectionately as “OD,” he brings an inclusive, insightful, and transformative approach that blends biomechanics with emotional and physical wellbeing. His ability to connect with audiences, simplify complex principles, and inspire action makes him a standout keynote speaker for the 2026 Healthy Ageing Summit.
Dr Wendy Sweet
Menopause Specialist & Pioneer
About the session
Does Menopause Need a New Healthy Ageing Narrative?
This must-attend session reframes menopause as the pivotal gateway to women’s healthy ageing — not a side note to be pushed through with relentless exercise. Drawing on research, real-world observations, and decades of overlooked evidence, Wendy exposes why so many midlife women are unknowingly accelerating fatigue, inflammation, joint pain, sleep disruption and cardiovascular risk. You’ll discover why “training harder” often backfires during menopause, how this life stage acts as the bookend to Puberty and the bridge into ageing and why lifestyle strategies must change — not intensify.
This session challenges outdated paradigms and equips practitioners with an integrated, life-course lens to better support women through midlife and beyond.
About the speaker
Dr Wendy Sweet (PhD) is a global menopause education and healthy ageing expert with more than four decades in the health and exercise industry. Originally an ICU nurse and later a pioneer of New Zealand’s personal training sector, she became a university lecturer before completing a PhD focused on women’s healthy ageing and the menopause transition.
Her lived experience with menopause symptoms inspired her to found My Menopause Transformation™ (MyMT™)—a science-based online programme and professional training platform that helps thousands of women and health practitioners understand and manage sleep, weight, joint health, energy and hormonal change through lifestyle-centred strategies. mymenopausetransformation.com
Dr Sweet’s work bridges research and real-world outcomes, empowering women to thrive through midlife and beyond with evidence-informed, holistic solutions.
Dr Paul Taylor
Psychophysiologist & Neuroscientist
About the session
The Longevity Blueprint
Longevity is a hot topic in health and wellness – but much of the conversation is clouded by hype and half-truths. In this myth-busting session, you’ll cut through the noise to discover what truly matters when it comes to living longer, stronger and healthier. Drawing on the latest insights from biology, neuroscience and behavioural science, this session explores the 12 hallmarks of ageing and the practical strategies that can slow their progression. You’ll also gain a simple, evidence-based behaviour change framework to help turn knowledge into sustainable habits, both for yourself and your clients.
By the end of this session, participants will have a clear understanding of the 12 biological hallmarks of ageing and how they influence health, physical performance and disease risk across the lifespan. The session will explore practical, evidence-based strategies to help slow the ageing process, including the role of exercise, nutrition, sleep, and stress management. Participants will also learn how principles of behavioural science can be applied to support long-term lifestyle change, enabling clients to move beyond short-term compliance toward sustainable habits. Key behaviours and interventions that enhance both lifespan (years lived) and healthspan (quality of life) will be identified, along with practical tools practitioners can use to help clients implement and maintain changes that support healthy ageing over time.
About the speaker
Dr. Paul Taylor is a distinguished stress resilience and human performance expert whose work bridges neuroscience, physiology, psychology, and nutrition. A former British Royal Navy Aircrew Officer with high-pressure combat and search-and-rescue experience, he transitioned into academia and applied science, now completing a PhD in Applied Psychology focused on developing and testing resilience strategies with leading research partners.
As Director of Paul Taylor Consulting, he delivers keynote talks, leadership workshops, and resilience programs to organisations including Oracle, SAP, PwC and the Australian Defence Force, all grounded in evidence-based research showing measurable improvements in hardiness, cognitive function and wellbeing.
Paul is an award-winning author of Death By Comfort and The Hardiness Effect, host of a top-ranked podcast, and highly sought-after for translating complex science into practical tools for thriving through stress and ageing well.
Angela Lee Jenkins
Performance & Lifestyle Speaker
About the session
Ageing with Wellbeing Intelligence
This session explores healthy ageing through a Wellbeing Intelligence lens — a whole-person, whole-system approach that recognises wellbeing as unique, relational and shaped by the environments and roles we live within. Drawing on the concept of eudaimonic wellbeing, the session focuses on meaning, purpose, connection and vitality as essential contributors to ageing well.
Angela will explore how wellbeing is supported not just by knowing what to do, but by how we design our lives to catch ourselves — through daily systems, boundaries, and the “small things” that sustain energy and emotional health. The session integrates research, practical tools and lived experience to support people navigating later-life transitions, underpinned by Angela’s Will to Liv message of choosing a meaningful life at every stage.
About the speaker
Angela Lee Jenkins is a leadership and wellbeing consultant, keynote speaker, and coach with more than 30 years’ experience helping individuals, teams, and organisations build cultures where purpose, wellbeing, and humanity sit at the centre of work and life. With a background in exercise physiology and postgraduate studies in mental health and wellbeing leadership, Angela brings a whole-person, whole-system approach to healthy ageing. She is a leading advocate for Wellbeing Intelligence as a core capability across all life stages.
A former Australian Touch Football Representative, Angela blends performance insight with compassion and lived experience. She is the founder of Wellbeing Changemakers and creator of the Will to Liv movement, inspiring people to cultivate vitality, connection, and meaning—daily, at every age.
Dave Liow
Functional Health & Longevity Expert
About the session
What you don’t see can hurt your clients
Before you load the body, you must first position it correctly. This must-attend session brings a practical, clinical lens to movement coaching, helping practitioners identify hidden risks before they become injuries. You’ll learn simple, effective assessments to detect weight shift imbalances, structural variations such as Morton’s foot and scoliosis and differences in hip structure that directly influence how a client should train. Discover how these factors impact the kinetic chain and why “one-size-fits-all” programming falls short. Most importantly, you’ll walk away with quick tests and clear training modifications you can apply immediately, allowing you to load clients more safely, confidently, and effectively — maximising performance while minimising injury risk.
About the speaker
Dave Liow is a seasoned holistic movement coach, exercise physiologist, and founder of the Holistic Movement Coach Programme. With over 30 years of experience in health, exercise, and human movement, Dave’s work is driven by a deep passion for helping people move well, age well, and live better. Based on the Sunshine Coast, Australia, he also co-owns and directs Kaizen Exercise Physiologists, where he blends evidence-based practice with a holistic perspective to support functional strength, mobility, and lifelong resilience.
Dave’s lifelong commitment to movement education and client-centred care has made him a respected voice in the health and longevity space. His engaging approach empowers professionals and individuals alike to optimise performance, reduce pain, and enhance quality of life as they age
Shena Dale
Physiotherapist Movement Rx
About the session
No Finish Line – Redefining What’s Possible for Older Runners
Why do so many runners stop as they get older? This must-attend session challenges the myths that quietly sideline ageing athletes — from “you’re too old to run” to “running will ruin your knees.” Grounded in science and real-world practice, this presentation reveals what runners actually need to change as they age to stay strong, resilient and competitive. You’ll explore smarter recovery, intelligent training periodisation, and the essential role of strength and plyometrics in longevity. With a practical component linking simple movements like jumping and hopping to performance and injury prevention, this session shows exactly how to apply these strategies immediately. It’s a powerful reminder that with the right approach, running has no age limit.
About the speaker
Shena Dale is an experienced, musculoskeletal physiotherapist based in Redcliffe, passionate about helping people move with confidence and live pain-free lives. With a strong foundation in evidence-based assessment and treatment, she specialises in rehabilitation, movement optimisation, injury prevention, and improving functional performance across all ages. Shena combines clinical expertise with a personalised, patient-centred approach, empowering individuals to understand their bodies and achieve long-term wellness goals. As a trusted health professional, she works collaboratively with clients and allied practitioners to support recovery, promote resilience and enhance quality of life.
Known for her practical insights and commitment to ongoing professional development, Shena brings both depth of experience and relatable communication to her work—making her a valuable contributor to conversations on movement, ageing and holistic health.
Reece Cooper
Clinical Audiologist
About the session
The Silent Load: Hearing Loss and Cognitive Overload
Hearing loss is now recognised as the leading modifiable risk factor for dementia, meaning it is one of the most powerful areas where early action can make a meaningful difference. In this presentation, Reese examines the often-overlooked connection between hearing and brain health, exploring how untreated hearing loss can contribute to cognitive overload, mental fatigue, and long-term neurological decline. He unpacks why many people delay treatment, the consequences of doing so and why some hearing loss becomes irreversible if left too late. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the neural pathways linking the ears and brain, and how proactive hearing care supports lifelong cognitive function. Each attendee will also receive a complimentary copy of Andrew’s book.
About the speaker
Reese Cooper holds a Master of Audiology Studies from the University of Queensland, where his thesis focused on the suitability and readability of educational materials for cochlear implant recipients. His work was published in the International Journal of Audiology, reflecting his commitment to accessibility and patient-centred communication. His career has focused on adult hearing rehabilitation, with expertise in hearing aid fitting, cochlear implants, and assistive listening devices. He has presented to both clinical and public audiences, supported audiologist training initiatives, and contributed to improving accessibility in hearing health. Reese is a Certified Practising Audiologist and full member of Audiology Australia.
Robyn Walker
Transformational Growth Specialist
About the session
Purpose, Belonging and Identity – The Missing Links
This powerful and deeply human session invites you to see ageing — and yourself — through a fresh, empowering lens. Robyn brings clarity to the four core behavioural styles, helping you better understand your own patterns, those of your clients, and the people you care about most. She explores how the fundamental human needs of belonging and contributing shape mindset, wellbeing, and purpose as we move into our Eldership years. You’ll gain a simple framework for understanding behaviour, uncover why we resist change (and how to shift it), and reconnect with passion, purpose, and wisdom. This session reframes Eldership as a vital force — the glue that strengthens families, communities, and a safer future for generations to come.
About the speaker
Robyn Walker is a transformational growth specialist, speaker, and author with more than three decades of experience working at the intersection of leadership, human behaviour, and personal development. Her career has spanned corporate boardrooms, community settings, and correctional environments, giving her a rare and deeply human perspective on what drives behaviour, connection, and change.
Robyn’s work challenges traditional, hierarchical leadership models, instead prioritising empathy, self-awareness, and authentic connection as the foundations of sustainable leadership and wellbeing. Known for her powerful presence and ability to connect deeply with audiences, she blends lived experience with practical insight, offering real-world lessons that inspire reflection and action. Through her work with individuals, teams, and organisations, Robyn equips people to lead—and live—with greater clarity, compassion, and purpose.
Dr Cam McDonald
Dietition in Epigenetics
About the session
The Clock the Plate and the Flame – Personalised Nutrition Strategies for Inflammation Control
What your clients eat matters — but when and how they eat may matter even more as they age. This must-attend session reveals how personalised nutrition and circadian rhythms shape inflammation, recovery, energy, body composition and long-term health. Designed specifically for personal trainers, it goes beyond meal plans and macros to unpack the biology behind food behaviours, timing and individual responses. You’ll discover how everyday eating patterns can either calm or drive inflammation, why timing affects digestion, cognition and training adaptation and which biological systems influence outcomes differently from one client to the next. Walk away with a smarter framework to guide conversations, align nutrition with training and confidently support healthy ageing in real-world practice.
About the speaker
Dr. Cam McDonald is a PhD scholar, Accredited Exercise Physiologist, and Practising Dietitian specialising in personalised nutrition, circadian biology, and healthy ageing. As CEO of the Precision Health Alliance and a Fellow of the Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine, his work focuses on reducing inflammation, enhancing recovery, and extending healthspan through biology-led lifestyle strategies.
Dr. Cam integrates precision health, epigenetics, and AI to help trainers and health professionals move beyond one-size-fits-all advice and achieve more meaningful client outcomes. A regular media commentator on ABC Radio and Channel 7 News, he is widely recognised for translating complex scientific concepts into practical, performance-focused insights that can be confidently applied in real-world health and fitness settings.
Richard Boyd
Director of Global Wellness Designs
About the session
Stress is Stress – Why Understanding Stress Sits at the Epicentre of Healthy Ageing
As the global conversation shifts toward healthy ageing and longevity, one factor sits at the centre of it all: stress. Returning after his standout Recovery session at last year’s Summit, Richard Boyd shares his perspective on longevity—and why one formula, one protocol, or one solution will never solve healthy ageing. This presentation explores how stress affects the body, the many stressors we face, and why certain “stressful” protocols can actually build resilience when applied with intent. You’ll learn how stress interacts with movement, recovery, environment, sleep and lifestyle across the HAI pillars, reframing stress not as the enemy, but as a powerful lever for adaptability, recovery and long-term vitality.
About the speaker
Richard Boyd is a seasoned health and wellness innovator with over 30 years’ experience shaping the fitness, coaching and recovery landscape. He is the creator of influential brands including PT on the Net and PTA Global, and has held senior executive roles driving education, strategy and industry growth across Australasia and beyond.
Richard is passionate about future-focused coaching, recovery science and sustainable wellbeing, blending practical insights with emerging trends in digital coaching, wellness tech and personalised practice. His contributions to industry thought leadership have made him a respected voice among trainers, club leaders and allied health professionals.
A regular presenter at the Healthy Ageing Summit, Richard engages audiences with actionable strategies to elevate practice, embrace innovation and support ageing populations with meaningful, evidence-informed solutions.
Fiona Cosgrove
Wellness Coaching Australia
About the session
Creating Space to Think: Communication That Builds Clarity, Connection and Wellbeing in Ageing
As people age, health conversations often become more complex, frequent and cognitively demanding. When information accumulates faster than it can be processed, communication can unintentionally undermine clarity, confidence and wellbeing.
This session explores how creating space to think within conversations supports understanding, connection, and self-direction in healthy ageing. Participants will examine how communication pace, structure and intent shape cognitive load and engagement and how these principles reflect broader wellbeing patterns seen in high-wellbeing societies. Practical strategies will be shared for use across allied health and wellbeing settings.
By the end of this session, participants will understand how communication influences clarity and engagement, gain tools that reduce overwhelm and support self-direction and reflect on how more human-centred communication can enhance healthy ageing practice.
About the speaker
Fiona Cosgrove is a pioneer in health and wellness coaching with a career spanning fitness, education, and behaviour change. Beginning in the fitness industry, she owned and managed multiple successful health clubs in Sydney, lectured at universities, and studied exercise science for many years. Since 2007, Fiona has been a leading force in Health and Wellness Coaching (HWC), self-publishing a best-selling book on lifestyle behaviour change and educating thousands of professionals across Australia.
She is the founder of Wellness Coaching Australia (WCA), through which more than 4,000 coaches have been trained, and played a key role in achieving international certification recognition outside the US. Fiona has spoken at major health conferences, co-authored academic research and global white papers, and was awarded HCANZA’s inaugural Hall of Fame honour. Holding multiple Master’s degrees and international coaching credentials, Fiona is deeply passionate about healthy ageing, purpose, and empowering people to thrive across life’s later decades.
Laraine Dunn
Movement, Longevity & the Art of Ageing Well
About the session
Functional Balance: Building Stability for Real-World Living
Balance training is a vital foundation for independence and successful daily living in older adults. This practical, hands-on workshop explores the complex and multi-dimensional nature of balance, addressing the interplay between the vestibular, visual, proprioceptive, musculoskeletal, and neurological systems.
Participants will experience evidence-based strategies and movement tasks that replicate the forces, challenges, and variability of real-life situations. The session includes passive and dynamic balance work, reaction-response training, gait variability and functional movement sequences.
Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of how balance truly works, practical tools to enhance functional capacity, and the confidence to design effective balance programs. Join Laraine to explore intelligent, progressive approaches that build strength, flexibility, proprioception and efficient movement—supporting safer, more resilient ageing.
About the speaker
A highly respected national and international presenter, Laraine is a rare and inspiring force in the fitness and wellbeing industry, embodying successful, joyful, and fearless ageing. Her career spans decades of leadership, service, and innovation, recognised through numerous accolades including the Australian Fitness Industry Lifetime Achievement Award and Australian Fitness Professional of the Year.
A long-standing business owner and mentor, Laraine’s expertise ranges from keynote conference presentations to grassroots delivery of senior exercise classes. Her professional background includes roles as an accredited sports coach, fitness educator, masseur, kinesiologist, reflexologist, and fitness instructor, supported by two research-based Master’s degrees.
The true highlight of her career is her clients—many aged 60 to 90—some of whom have trained with her for over 30 years, reflecting her enduring impact and trusted presence in healthy ageing.
Chris Barnes
Genetic Health Strategist
About the session
From Trainer to Genetic Health Strategist: Why Exercise Alone Isn’t Enough
Why does the same program energise one client while leaving another anxious, exhausted, or stuck? This session explores how individual biology shapes stress, recovery, mental health and training outcomes—especially in ageing populations. Drawing on a personal journey from trainer and gym owner to genetic health strategist, this presentation reframes anxiety, brain fog and burnout as biological stress responses rather than mindset failures. You’ll explore how genetics influence movement response, stress regulation, and nutrition, and why exercise intensity can sometimes do more harm than good. Educational and empowering rather than diagnostic, this session builds awareness and practical application, helping professionals recognise when regulation, recovery and smarter programming must come before pushing harder.
About the speaker
Chris Barnes is a Genetic Health Strategist who bridges the worlds of fitness, functional health and longevity. With over 13 years’ experience as a personal trainer, gym owner and semi-professional rugby player, Chris built his career on doing everything “right”—yet struggled with anxiety, poor recovery and burnout. The turning point came when genetic testing revealed key variants, including MTHFR and COMT, reshaping his understanding of health and performance.
Today, Chris specialises in how genetics influence stress resilience, mental health, recovery and biological ageing. He has analysed more than 500 DNA reports, identifying patterns that impact training outcomes and long-term wellbeing. A featured expert in Men’s Health Magazine and keynote speaker alongside global leaders in health and biohacking, Chris is known for translating complex genetic science into clear, practical strategies for professionals and the clients they serve.
Christian Mason
Director of BIOAGE
About the session
The Invisible Clock: Why We Ignore Our Health Until It’s Too Late — and How to Change That
Most people don’t neglect their health because they don’t care — they do so because the consequences feel too far away. This compelling session explores why humans are neurologically wired to prioritise immediate threats over future health risks, often delaying action until illness, injury, or diagnosis forces change. Drawing on behavioural science, longevity research, and real-world fitness industry experience, this presentation introduces biological age as a powerful tool for making future health visible in the present. Attendees will gain insight into how proactive assessment can drive earlier decision-making, strengthen engagement, and support long-term health and vitality before problems arise. For fitness operators, this approach also offers a clear pathway to deeper client buy-in and improved retention.
About the speaker
Christian Mason is a health and fitness leader with deep experience driving growth, innovation and strategic expansion in the global wellness industry. He served as Managing Director for Virgin Active South East Asia, where he led the launch and development of multiple health clubs in Singapore and Thailand, shaping culture, member experience and performance-driven fitness programming across diverse markets.
Christian is passionate about sustainable wellbeing, community-centred activity, and the future of movement as a lifelong pursuit. His work emphasises evidence-based approaches, operational excellence, and empowering individuals and professionals to embrace active ageing with confidence. As a leader and speaker, Christian brings strategic insight and practical wisdom to discussions about fitness, resilience and longevity across the lifespan.
Dr Giselle Withers
Clinical Psychologist
About the session
Healthy Sleep, Healthy Ageing
Sleep is one of the most powerful — and misunderstood — pillars of healthy ageing. This must-attend masterclass cuts through myths, confusion, and outdated advice to give practitioners a clear, evidence-informed way to support better sleep in older adults. Blending up-to-date sleep science, behaviour change psychology, and real-world application, this session shows you how sleep truly changes with age, what’s normal and when intervention matters. You’ll learn how to guide clients toward meaningful improvements without triggering sleep anxiety, perfectionism, or working outside your scope. This is not generic “sleep hygiene.” It’s a practical, research-driven framework you can apply immediately to improve client outcomes, confidence and long-term wellbeing.
About the speaker
Dr Giselle Withers is a Senior Clinical Psychologist and mindfulness teacher with more than 20 years’ experience supporting individuals with chronic sleep disturbance, long-term illness, trauma, anxiety, and depression. She is the founder of A Mindful Way, an evidence-based online sleep improvement program that combines mindfulness meditation training with cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I).
Dr Withers holds a Doctor of Psychology (Clinical) from La Trobe University, is registered with AHPRA, a Fellow of the College of Clinical Psychologists with the Australian Psychological Society, and a member of the Australasian Sleep Association. Her current research explores the effectiveness of digital sleep interventions for older adults, with a focus on improving sleep quality, resilience, and overall wellbeing.
Naomi Ferstera
Clinical Exercise Physiologist, Exercise Scientist & Nutritionist
About the session
For too long, exercise for ageing adults has been reduced to “low and slow,” driven more by fear than evidence. But contemporary clinical research tells a far more compelling story. In this session, Naomi Ferstera, university lecturer and exercise science researcher, dismantles the myths surrounding high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and ageing.
Drawing on clinical studies and applied research, Naomi shows why properly prescribed HIIT is not only safe, but often superior for improving cardiovascular health, strength, metabolic function, and functional independence. Attendees will learn what HIIT truly means in a clinical context, how it differs from reckless intensity, and how to scale effort to support prevention, resilience, and long-term vitality.
Intensity, when used intelligently, isn’t dangerous — it’s essential.
About the speaker
HIIT Isn’t the Enemy: Rethinking Intensity for Healthy Ageing
Naomi Ferstera is an accredited exercise physiologist, exercise scientist and nutritionist with over 25 years of experience working across clinical practice, education and research. She is a university lecturer and PhD candidate, where she is involved in the Brain Training Trial, a large international randomised controlled trial examining HIIT and power training influence cognitive function in older adults. Naomi’s work focuses on translating research into practical, real-world exercise strategies, with a strong focus on midlife as a critical window for long-term physical and brain health.
She is the founder of The Healthy Ageing Project and reMYnd and is passionate about translating high-quality research into practical, safe and effective exercise strategies that support resilience, independence and healthy ageing.
Join the Healthy Ageing Summit 2026
Gain practical skills to confidently work with 45+ clients and position yourself in one of the fastest-growing areas in the industry.
SUMMIT PASS
$597
- 2 full days of expert-led education
- Access to all sessions & workshops
- Healthy Ageing Lab sessions
- 9 CPD Points (AUSactive approved)
- Tools & frameworks you can implement
- Networkings with professionals in the 45+ space
- Lunch & networking drinks included
BRING A FRIEND & SAVE
$50 OFF
- Save when you book 2 + Tickets
- Save when you register with a colleague or friend
- Learn together & apply strategies immediately
- Stay accountable & implement what you learn faster
- Ideal for teams, training partners or clinic staff
- Share insights, ideas and client strategies in real time throughout the event
What People Say About Us....
After attending a lecture on ‘Exercise for Cancer Patients’, I'm delighted to have graduated as a Cancer Exercise Specialist and look forward to being able to help patients & survivors on their road to recovery…a topic that has limited information available for health and fitness professionals designed to work with this population.
I highly recommend the Healthy Ageing Summit for anyone in the fitness industry working with the Ageing Demographic. The knowledge and support provided by the team is invaluable. This has taken my small business to the next level!Thanks so much.
This event not only gave me the tools and strategies to help my clients, but also the tools and strategies to better position and expand my business in this growing sector. If you want to be a leading healthy ageing expert and help your clients ensure their "health span matches their life span" ..
You can't afford to miss this amazing Event
