Their toned and terrific bodies fill our Instagram feeds with a mixture of daily inspiration and envy. Their super-nutritious, colourful recipes and daily food porn gets our tastebuds dancing (and our chocolate-craving in check) and their strength and fitness moves get our butts off the couch and into a deep lunge. They’re the newly crowned Top Ten Most Influential Australian Women in the field of Health and Fitness.
So what exactly is it about these health and fitness heroines that has you all hot and bothered? To determine this list of influencers The Carousel, in conjunction with iSentia, considered their social reach, the trends they’ve set, the products they’ve created, research they’ve contributed to, media coverage and of course, what you told us.
And voilà, an impressive set of data was collated that spans the last 12 months of media across Print, Radio, Television and Online was used to unearth the most influential women in the Health and Fitness industries in Australia, based on media coverage.
And the winners are…
Taking out the coveted number one spot is surfing superstar, Sally Fitzgibbons who has defied injury in Fiji to take out her second-straight Fiji Pro title.
Documentary Behind the Smile showcases Sally’s 2013 season and what will be required to fulfil her dream of one day becoming World Champion. Current World Title holder and new winner of her 6th World Surfing Title, Stephanie Gilmore says of Fitzgibbons in the documentary “The word can’t isn’t in her vocabulary”. Fitzgibbons’ world-class athlete status has earned her an 810K strong social media following and has topped our list of Health and Fitness influencers.
Also making their presence felt in this list are commentator and journalist of I Quit Sugar fame Sarah Wilson, celebrity personal trainer Michelle Bridges, active wear queens Lorna Jane and Stylerunner, TV’s Dr Kerryn Phelps and thecarousel.com’s very own Yoga guru Sammy Veall of Yoga213.
1. Sally Fitzgibbons: (pictured above) Pro-surfer and winner of 2015 Fiji Women’s Pro. www.sallyfitzgibbons.com
2. Michelle Bridges: Personal trainer, Biggest Loser trainer and founder of the 12 Week Body Transformation. www.12wbt.com
3. Sarah Wilson: Best-selling author, blogger and wellness coach. www.sarahwilson.com
4. Lorna Jane: Active living advocate, business entrepreneur, fashion designer and author. www.lornajane.com.au
5. Lola Berry: Nutritionist, healthy cook and wellness blogger extraordinaire. www.lolaberry.com
6. Dr Kerryn Phelps: Doctor, public health and human rights advocate, and a Member of the Order of Australia for service to medicine www.drkerrynphelps.com
Photo by Deanna Gerlach
7. Sammy Veall: The Carousel’s resident Yoga Editor and owner of Yoga 213 studios, Sammy introduced hip hop yoga to Australia.
8. Belle Gibson: Founder of health and wellness iPhone/Ipad App The Whole Pantry after surviving cancer at the age of 25. www.facebook.com/thewholepantryapp
9. Amanda Bisk: Former Australian Pole Vaulter, Exercise Physiologist, Active Lifestyle Blogger. www.amandabisk.com
10. Stylerunner: Fashionable activewear boutique founders twin sisters Julie and Sali Stevanja. www.stylerunner.com
Do you agree with our list? Tell us who your biggest influencers are in the field of health and fitness…
iSentia is the Asia-Pacific region’s leading media intelligence company, providing over 5000 clients with media information, analysis and advice.
