Ambassadors
Pelvic Floor First would not be possible without the support, expertise and guidance of our ambassadors.
Read on to meet our ambassadors.
Dianne Edmonds, Physiotherapist
Dianne Edmonds is a Physiotherapist from Western Australia, with a special interest in women’s health and the pelvic floor. Dianne has dedicated much time, on a volunteer basis, to see the standard of women’s health, continence and pelvic floor issues, be raised within Australia. From 2001 to 2006 she was the chairperson of Continence and Women’s Health Physiotherapy Australia, and maintained the commitment to that position for six years, during which time she became involved with the Continence Health Australia. Dianne also was the International Order of Physical Therapy in Women’s Health representative on behalf of CWHPA from 2006 until March 2011.
She was on the initial working party for the Pelvic Floor First campaign and took over the position of Project Manager in January 2010 until June 2011. She assisted with the campaign launches at Filex in 2010 and 2011 in Sydney, and collaborated extensively with key industry leaders to ensure that both research and clinical/exercise experience was blended during the campaign to create the resources, Pelvic Floor First speakers kit, and the online courses hosted at Australian Fitness Network.
Dianne is also the Director and founder of her own website, The Pregnancy Centre, which was developed in 1999. She is the creator of The Pregnancy and Postnatal Core Conditioning four-part course series available online at Australian Fitness Network. In her education programs and with her clients she uses the Pelvic Floor First principles and resources, helping women to make safer choices during and after pregnancy, which is now her focus.
Dianne works as a Physiotherapist at Peel Maternity and Family Practice in Mandurah, Western Australia.
Lisa Westlake, Physiotherapist and Fitness Leader
Lisa Westlake is a Physiotherapist, Fitness Leader and author with a passion for the area of womens health and fitness. She was awarded Australian fitness professional of the year in 2000, Australian fitness presenter in 2003, fitness author of the year in 2009 and she was recognized in 2013 with the Fitness Australia Award for Outstanding contribution to the Fitness Industry.
In 2016 she was honored with the Australian Fitness Network Lifetime achievement award, and in 2017 she was in ducted into Fitness Australia’s role of honour. She is a highly regarded fitness instructor, womens health and fitness advisor and educator and a sought after national and international presenter.
Her business, “Physical Best” unites physiotherapy and fitness to provide exercise programming and health and fitness education for all ages and abilities. Lisa is also an ambassador and MC for the Mothers day classic, has produced several women health DVDs and books and is frequently heard on ABC radio promoting health and fitness
Marietta Mehanni, International Group Fitness Instructor and Presenter
Recently awarded NZ Educator of the Year 2016, Marietta Mehanni is an multi – award winning Australian presenter Australian Fitness Network Ambassador with over 28 years of teaching experience in both land and water based group exercise. As World Master Trainer for Gymstick International and Education Coordinator Marietta is responsible for the development of Gymstick education worldwide.
She is a Pelvic Floor First Ambassador and in conjunction with the Continence Health Australia, Marietta has been an integral part of the development of pelvic floor awareness in the fitness industry and creating the link between physiotherapy and fitness. She travels across the globe educating both instructors and fitness enthusiasts about what the core really is and how to exercise with appropriate consideration of the pelvic floor muscles.
As Co-Founder of the My Group Move education platform, Marietta has now expanded to an online presence to offer education for potential freestyle group exercise instructors both locally and internationally.
She is an advisor to and advocate for Power Music, an exciting platform offering instructors easy access to music and choreography. Co-creator of mSwing, Marietta is passionate about developing fun exercise formats that are suitable for all ages and abilities.
Shira Kramer, Women’s Health Physiotherapist
BeActive Founder & Managing Director
International Fitness Presenter, Women’s Health Physiotherapist.
Shira is one of Australia’s leading women’s health and fitness professionals. An experienced physiotherapist, fitness leader, presenter and business leader, she is the founder of BeActive, a successful enterprise that has consulted to over 4,000 women at various stages of their pre- and post-natal journeys.
She is a sought after women’s health and fitness commentator appearing regularly in the media, including Expert Panelist for Cosmo Pregnancy and writes for various fitness and health magazines. Shira also designs and delivers education programs to both physiotherapists and fitness professionals on a regular basis, presenting at conferences and in university settings.
A renowned global speaker and mentor for women’s health and wellness, Shira’s passion is to keep women active in all ages and stages of life.
Watch Shira’s video on how to do pelvic floor muscle exercises.
