Friday, March 29, 2024

Wellbeing coach a good fit for farmers

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Louise O'Neill
Louise O’Neill.
Photo: Serena Kirby.

Serena Kirby, Denmark Bulletin

Fitness and wellbeing coach, Louise O’Neill, has been named as the WA winner of the 2022 AgriFutures rural women’s award.

The awards recognise women who have made an exceptional contribution to Australia’s rural and emerging industries, businesses and communities.

Louise, who moved to Denmark 18 months ago from Northam, began her Farm Life Fitness business six years ago.

When COVID-19 hit she moved her predominantly face-to-face mobile business to an online model.

Her new business model involves one-on-one coaching and live online group fitness workouts conducted with clients via zoom and telephone.

This aims to overcome the constraints of long distances in rural areas.

“Often people just want to talk and debrief,” Louise said.

“I’ve done wellbeing sessions with guys when they’re on farm moving sheep in their ute and or when they’re in the home office doing paperwork.

“Running a farm business can be overwhelming and it’s important to try and break the paradigm that it’s a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week job.

“It’s important to give back to ourselves so we can give to others.”

TheAgriFutures rural women’s award aims to empower and celebrate the inclusive and courageous leadership of rural women across Australia.

Louise is one of seven State finalists vying for the national title which will be announced at Parliament House in Canberra this September. As well as receiving a $15,000 bursary as the State winner, she will be in the running to receive a further $20,000 if named as national winner.

“I know it sounds like a cliché, but I certainly didn’t expect to win,” Louise said.

“The other WA nominees were phenomenal and when my name was read out I was gobsmacked.

“I’m just so pleased that people in the industry and people of influence have realised the importance of mental health and wellbeing for people working on the land and the need for it to be addressed.”

Louise plans to use the current prize money to further develop her online operations and systems and has committed to investing the money back into the local community.

Denmark Bulletin 2 June 2022

This article appeared in the Denmark Bulletin, 2 June 2022.

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