About Me

Moon and Back Personal Training was created in 2016 by myself, Amanda Gower.

Prior to working in the fitness profession I worked as a Registered Nurse for 12 years, working in Paediatrics, Emergency, Travel Medicine and then General Practice.

The drive for my career change occurred after my mum died suddenly from heart conditions at the age of 56yrs.

Losing my mum increased my passion for educating and motivating people to prioritise their health.

With my nursing experience and continuous education, I plan my fitness sessions with a holistic approach, taking in the whole person, not just the exercise.

Although I have a large focus on women’s health, I also have men and children join in the fun!!!

Most of the women I work with are post-natal, and I am continually educating myself to ensure my clients can work within their own capacity.

My biggest achievement so far would be the community and connection between people that I have managed to create. By having this supportive community and incorporating fun and play within the sessions, I feel I am able to help people stay fit and strong for life, both physically and mentally.

  • Registered Nurse 2001-2014

  • Certificate III & IV in Fitness

  • Master Trainer Level 1

  • Fitness Education Online – Bootcamp Essentials

  • Girls Gone Strong Pre & Postnatal Certification

  • Burrell Education Pre &Postnatal Certification

  • Metafit Coach

  • Burrell Education Breathe Better course.

  • Mishfit – Pelvic Floor Pro for fitness proefssionals, Eveolution

  • Myofasical Mobility Mentorship with John Polley

  • Breathing Mojo Workshop Dr Perry Nickelston

  • Current First Aid/CPR certificate

Small Steps. Big Shifts.

I have such a powerful story to share, so strap in and read to the end.
 
About two weeks ago I sent an email to my community letting them know that for the month of June I wanted to help my sister get moving a little more. So with her permission, we started posting about it on social media.
 
Her current emotional load is huge and she is mentally exhausted. She has told me several times over the last few months that she has lost all motivation to move, her body feels horrible and achy, but what got me the most was when she told me she has lost all her confidence.
 
Without telling her whole story, basically each day is unpredictable and she really doesn’t know what is going to be thrown her way. She has two beautiful children, Nate who is 12 and Ellise who is 13. They both require some additional support, more so Ellise. The last 18 months to 2 years has been a pretty big roller coaster. Ellise has dipped pretty low, come back up, and then back down again. She had finally found the right therapists and some support workers, but Ellise was now refusing to engage with them or participate in any therapy. Two of her therapists had suggested she now has selective mutism, which is related to high anxiety levels. Getting Ellise out of her room, out of her pyjamas, engaged with activities, or leaving the house was becoming near impossible most days.
 
Anyhow, we are 12 days into June.
 
Before Ness picks Nate up from school she has been leaving a little earlier and going for a short walk, about 1km. Somehow she managed to get Ellise to join her on that first day. Then the second. The third. The fourth.
 
By day five, when the support worker came over, Ellise was dressed, out of her bedroom, and chatty. Ness and the support worker could not believe it.
 
I was a little cheeky and sent Ellise a message asking if she could get her support worker Maddie to try a particular exercise. She thought it was funny and said she would try. Just before midday I got a few videos from Ellise. She had Maddie doing bear crawl exercises up and down the driveway. She was also having little sprint races. Out of her bedroom, engaging with her support worker, moving her body, and having fun.
 
Meanwhile, Ness was out the door on a 6km walk with a friend. The smallest amount of movement can be so powerful. Not just for the body, but for the mind.
 
This is exactly why I am so passionate about my motto.
 

Just Keep Moving.

If you have been thinking about starting, I think Ness and Ellise have just given you a pretty good reason to.