OptiBods- for Women
Powered by Body On™
Strength Training & Nutrition Coaching for women
Like many women, I started out feeling completely confused by all the fitness and nutrition advice out there.
There were so many rules, diets and opinions that it became overwhelming.
I tried following strict eating plans made up of boring foods that I didn’t even enjoy.
It didn’t last.
That experience made me realise something important — if I was struggling to understand all this information, a lot of other women probably were too.
I also always felt intimidated in public gyms. I didn’t like the feeling of being judged or watched while trying to work things out.
So I created Optibods — a private strength training space where women can train without that pressure.
No judgment, no egos, just women all working toward the same goal… to feel good in their own skin.
Hi I'm Jo - the founder of optibods
That is where my journey into nutrition truly began.
I started learning how the body actually works.
How it fuels itself.
How hunger behaves.
Why energy crashes happen.
Why some foods keep us satisfied while others leave us constantly looking for more.
But as I worked with more women over the years something else became really clear.
Food is not the only challenge people face.
Many women are dealing with confusion, fear and years of bullshit diet advice.
Add emotional triggers, avoidance behaviours and unrealistic expectations into the mix and it is no wonder so many people feel stuck.
That understanding pushed me further into learning about behaviour and counselling.
Because real lifestyle change is not just about food or exercise.
It is about understanding why we do what we do.
I have also had my own struggles along the way with addictive behaviours and mental health challenges.
Those experiences shaped the way I coach today and helped me understand how habits, stress and fear can quietly influence our choices.
Changing the way we eat and live can feel confronting and uncomfortable.
For many people it is honestly pretty damn scary to start that process.
That is why my approach focuses on education and understanding first.
Before diving into complicated food rules I teach people how their body actually works.
How it fuels itself, how hunger and energy behave and how to recognise the trigger moments that influence eating patterns.
When people understand their body, food stops feeling confusing.
From there we build simple practical structures around eating and training that actually work in real life.
No extreme diets.
No rigid rules.
Just realistic habits that support long term health and confidence.
Over the years my path has evolved from chef, to personal trainer, to nutrition coach and behaviour focused counsellor, with more than a decade of experience working with women.
What makes my coaching different is simple.
I do not just give people a plan.
I teach them to understand their body, their habits and their relationship with food so they can create real lasting change.
Not just for a few weeks, but for life.
My journey into nutrition didn’t begin with a diet plan.
It started in a kitchen.
I trained and worked as a chef, where I learned to understand food through ingredients, flavour and how meals are actually put together.
I knew how to build meals that tasted great and how to cook properly.
But that didn’t mean I understood how the body actually uses food.
Years later I began studying to become a personal trainer.
During that time I was given meal plans to follow as part of my training.
And that is when something important happened.
I struggled with the meal plans I was given.
Not only did I not really understand why the foods were structured the way they were, but I am also a very fussy eater.
A lot of the foods I was told to eat were things I simply did not enjoy.
At the time, I did not have the knowledge to adjust the plan to suit my own tastes.
So even though I was committed to training, the food side of things felt frustrating and confusing as hell.
That experience was a turning point for me.
I realised that understanding flavour as a chef was not the same thing as understanding nutrition.
And if I could not adapt a plan to suit myself, how the hell was I supposed to help other people do it?
That is where my journey into nutrition truly began.
I started learning how the body actually works.
How it fuels itself.
How hunger behaves.
Why energy crashes happen.
Why some foods keep us satisfied while others leave us constantly looking for more.
But as I worked with more women over the years something else became really clear.
Food is not the only challenge people face.
Many women are dealing with confusion, fear and years of bullshit diet advice.
Add emotional triggers, avoidance behaviours and unrealistic expectations into the mix and it is no wonder so many people feel stuck.
That understanding pushed me further into learning about behaviour and counselling.
Because real lifestyle change is not just about food or exercise.
It is about understanding why we do what we do.
I have also had my own struggles along the way with addictive behaviours and mental health challenges.
Those experiences shaped the way I coach today and helped me understand how habits, stress and fear can quietly influence our choices.
Changing the way we eat and live can feel confronting and uncomfortable.
For many people it is honestly pretty damn scary to start that process.
That is why my approach focuses on education and understanding first.
Before diving into complicated food rules I teach people how their body actually works.
How it fuels itself, how hunger and energy behave and how to recognise the trigger moments that influence eating patterns.
When people understand their body, food stops feeling confusing.
From there we build simple practical structures around eating and training that actually work in real life.
No extreme diets.
No rigid rules.
Just realistic habits that support long term health and confidence.
How Optibods Works
The training side of the program focuses on building strength with weights.
This builds muscle, strengthens bones and helps the body burn more energy throughout the day.
Many women come to Optibods thinking they need more cardio.
What they usually need is more muscle.
We work with women of all ages and fitness levels and we adapt exercises around injuries, weaknesses or health conditions so everyone can train safely.
At the beginning of your program we assess your starting point and guide you into the training at a pace your body can handle.
We call them your wake-up sessions, a gentle way to introduce the body to weight training and exercise.
Most women tell me the first few sessions are the hardest — mainly the anxiety of beginning the program and the first bit of pain from moving the body for the first time.
After that, confidence grows quickly and training becomes something you actually look forward to.
Every session is coached to make sure your technique is safe and effective.
Sessions run for 50 minutes and the focus is always on building strength.
No cardio machines.
No running.
No burpees.
Just weights.
Why there are no cardio machines
I don’t have cardio machines in my gym for two simple reasons.
First, I don’t believe people should pay personal training prices to walk on a treadmill.
Second, walking, riding and other cardio activities are things you can easily do in your own time — preferably outside in the fresh air.
Inside Optibods we focus on what most women are missing… strength training.
Nutrition Support
Members receive a personalised nutrition plan built around the foods they choose.
No extremes, no confusion — just a clear plan that fits your lifestyle and actually works.
With Body On™ included, you’ll understand why your body responds the way it does, so you’re not relying on plans forever.
The Optibods Community
Optibods is a supportive group of women all working toward feeling stronger, healthier and more confident.
Women join us at many different stages of life, from beginners through to experienced trainers.
Everyone is welcome.
What makes my coaching different is simple.
I do not just give people a plan.
I teach them to understand their body, their habits and their relationship with food so they can create real lasting change.
Not just for a few weeks, but for life.