Leonie de Garnham

“I'm a personal training and movement coach, working with everyday women 40+ throughout her perimenopause journey to move well and be strong, to have the functional movement so she can live her life fully into her 80s and beyond.”

“I'm also more than movement, I'll support you to understand the connection between sleep, stress, pain patterns, nutrition. I'm not just about the workout.”

Seventeen years ago, Leonie underwent her own health transformation, which prompted colleagues and loved ones to seek her guidance. She pursued personal training certification over two years while caring for young children. Her focus has shifted over the past five years to help women develop strength suited to their individual bodies and lifestyles.

“I want women to have a safe space to be heard and know there's someone in her corner to guide her to be able to move, well be strong to live her life fully.”

She aims to simplify health information by removing unnecessary noise and expectations. Her broader vision emphasises extending active living into later years, noting that while life expectancy increases, people often cannot fully enjoy their added years.

Leonie identifies self-worth and promoting her work as significant hurdles. Despite maintaining high client satisfaction and strong retention, she struggles with marketing successes. Maintaining work-life balance through scheduled days off remains challenging.

“Be the go-to Personal Trainer and movement coach for women during perimenopause in the Wellington region.”

Success involves sustained client relationships with open communication. She also values professional referrals from existing clients and collaborating healthcare providers including physiotherapists, chiropractors, nutritionists and general practitioners.

“I'd be most proud of the small but meaningful changes the women I've worked with have experienced, knowing she is now about to move without pain, have more energy, and feels more capable in and confident in her everyday lives.”

Her clients inspire her through their growth and evolving movement patterns. Her thirteen-year-old daughter also motivates her to model authentic self-presentation without fear of judgment.

Through membership, Leonie developed her elevator pitch and expanded her professional network substantially. She gained practical business knowledge, from accounting software features to website development. Most significantly, she built a supportive referral ecosystem and found community: “It's made business a lot less lonely, I no longer feel like I'm on an island.”

She enjoys trail running in Wellington's abundant natural spaces and relaxing outdoors with literature and tea.