FERNWOOD FITNESS - PULSE eMagazine - Issue#7 - Flipbook - Page 7
I
n the realm of
昀椀tness and female
empowerment,
few names echo
as resoundingly as
Diana Williams. Her
path to establishing
Fernwood Fitness
transcended mere
business ambitions;
it was a heartfelt
endeavor fueled by
passion and a drive
to defy societal
conventions. From
her earliest forays
into weight training
and powerlifting
to the birth of
Fernwood, Diana’s
mission remained
unwavering: to
forge a haven
where women
could embrace
strength training
within a supportive
and inclusive
environment.
In 1989, spurred
by her passion
for 昀椀tness and
powerlifting, and
a fervent wish to
cultivate a nurturing
community for
women, Diana
embarked on a bold
venture, bringing
the 昀椀rst Fernwood
Fitness health club
to life. Nestled
in a reclaimed
classroom in
Bendigo, the gym,
though modest in
dimensions, held
grand ambitions.
It was within these
humble con昀椀nes
that Diana laid
the groundwork
for what would
swiftly become
a nationwide
sensation.
“I was engrossed
in weight training
and powerlifting,
witnessing 昀椀rsthand
the transformative
impact it had on
me. I felt compelled
to share this
experience with
other women,”
re昀氀ects Diana.
In an era where
weight training
predominantly
belonged to the
realm of men,
Diana discerned
its potential to
revolutionise the
lives of women. Her
aim was to shatter
the con昀椀nes of
stereotypes that
relegated women
to aerobic exercises
and to give them an
avenue to explore
their strength and
potential.