Why I Started A Strength Training Group for Trampers

Embodied Soul might not make sense to everyone at first glance.

Heavy lifting. Yoga. Intuitive healing. Strength training for trampers.
People might wonder how it all fits together.

But for me, this work isn’t random — it’s what I live. These are the practices that have shaped me physically, emotionally, and spiritually. They’re how I’ve come home to myself, again and again.


Yes, this business exists to serve others — but it’s also a living expression of my soul.
And one thing I can’t leave out of that expression is my love of tramping.


A few years ago, I walked the length of Aotearoa on Te Araroa.

I didn’t train for it. I just showed up and started walking.

What carried me through was a lot of determination — and the mobility and body awareness I’d built through years of functional yoga. But by the time I reached the bottom of the South Island, my body was struggling.

My joints ached. My muscles weren’t coping. Sometimes my knees would just buckle under the weight of my body and my pack. I was incredibly lucky I didn’t get injured.

My cardiovascular fitness was better than it had ever been — but my body was screaming for strength.

And, as I never do things halfway, once I’d settled here in the Tasman region, I bought a gym and taught myself how to strength train. I did a heavy lifting mentorship with Kathryn Bruni-Young of Mindful Strength, and completed a year-long course to become a certified personal trainer.

I don’t get out tramping as often now — I’ve switched to ultra running so I can stay closer to home for my daughter and my business. But the strength training I’ve done has made a massive difference for my tramping when I do get out. I feel more stable, more resilient, and far less wrecked at the end of the day.

And that’s why I started this group.


Unless you want to stick to the popular tracks, New Zealand’s backcountry is hard. The trails are often steep, uneven, and unpredictable.

Strength and mobility aren’t just “nice to have” if you want to tramp in Aotearoa — they’re essential if you want to do it sustainably and injury-free.

Being prepared makes the experience so much more enjoyable. You don’t come home sore the next day, and there’s far less fatigue at the end of a big day on the trail.

That’s what my  group is about — building the kind of strength that supports your body in the bush, so you can keep doing the things you love for as long as you want to do them.

It’s for people who would love to get out tramping more often — but who’d prefer to do it with a group.

For those who want to connect with others, feel inspired, and plan adventures together.

For those who want to feel more capable, more resilient, and more supported in their bodies.

We meet twice a week, and train with a focus on building strength, mobility, and stability. Not just for general fitness, but for real terrain, long days, heavy packs, and the kind of movement New Zealand’s trails demand.

Right now the group is all women. The vibe is relaxed and welcoming — a space to build strength and confidence in your body, at your own pace, alongside others who also love wild places.
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