When I was newly qualified and swimming in the shallow end of the fitness industry, I attended a workshop that blew my mind. It was run by Marietta Mahani, and the topic was something deceptively simple—how to connect with your clients and remember their names. But the depth of the session, the professionalism, and the care with which it was delivered stopped me in my tracks.

I left that workshop thinking, I want to be friends with this woman. And I made it happen. Nearly three decades later, we’re still talking—and she’s still one of the brightest lights in the industry.

So here’s a peek into her story, from awkward teen to award-winning educator.

From Feeling Invisible to Finding Her People

Marietta grew up in a small town in Northern Victoria, one of very few ethnic families in a predominantly white farming community. She struggled with her weight, was always picked last in sports, and spent most of her time feeling othered.

Until a gym opened in her town when she was 15.

Terrified but determined, she joined. And in that little gym, with its kind owners and non-competitive vibe, she found something powerful: acceptance.

Eventually, she was drawn into the group fitness space (back when we just called it “aerobics”)—and everything changed.

“That was the beginning of the end,” she told me, laughing. “I found my people.”

The Hustle Was Real (And So Was the Leotard)

By the time she was 18, Marietta had her own leotard, a front-row spot in classes, and a job offer to become an instructor. With no money and no way to get to training, the gym offered to sponsor her and give her a lift. She didn’t hesitate.

She went on to teach 41 permanent classes a week at one point. Forty-one. Not a typo. This was pre-choreography. No LES MILLS USBs. Just you, your mixtape, and your imagination.

When the Gym Becomes a Business

What makes Marietta truly special isn’t just her teaching. It’s her ability to innovate.

From early on, she built a career that was about more than classes. 

Marietta has:

• Created and delivered her own workshops.

• Became Head of Education for Gymstick International.

• Co-founded My Group Move with Maria Teresa Stone.

• Co-created M-Swing with physiotherapist Mark Davis.

• Created an Aqua Mentoring Membership that now supports a thriving community of instructors.

• Ran education for the Continence Foundation of Australia for over a decade.

She did all this while still teaching group fitness and aqua classes—because for Marietta, movement is a calling, not a gig.

The Turning Point: When It All Took Off

The magic really started when she stopped waiting to be picked and started creating her own stage.

By aligning with Gymstick (a versatile resistance tool), she began running her own branded workshops and courses, both in Australia and overseas. She learned how to market, how to build a website, how to do the admin (oh, the admin)—and just kept showing up.

When COVID hit, she pivoted hard. She built virtual memberships, launched mentoring groups, recorded classes, and ran everything online. And in doing so, she carved out the next evolution of her career.

The Mentor We All Needed

Marietta didn’t just break down doors for herself—she held them open for others.

She was the reason I got to present at FILEX for the first time. And she’s done the same for countless others.

“No one can be you,” she told me. “There’s space for all our voices.”

She’s right. And she’s always believed in mentoring—not as a transactional thing, but as a responsibility.

But here’s the kicker: most people don’t ask. They assume she’s too busy, too important, or just not available.

“Get your fishing rod out,” she said. “Reach out. You’ve got nothing to lose.”

Lessons from Marietta

If you take nothing else from this story, take this:

• Your past doesn’t define your future.

• You can build your own platform—just start.

• Group fitness is about community, not competition.

• And mentoring? It’s not a reward. It’s how we move the industry forward.

Want to Be Part of the Next Generation?

At Women’s Fitness Education, we’re not just training the next wave of instructors—we’re rewriting the rules. Our courses go beyond the male-dominated research base that underpins Cert III and IV and include the missing pieces of education around women’s health.

If you’re thinking about a career change, or know someone who is, now’s the time.

Because your voice, your experience, and your presence in this industry matters.

Want to see more of Marietta in action? 

Check out MyGroupMove or Gymstick Australia – and definitely get your hands on an M-Swing dumbbell.

Or better yet, find a mentor. You never know where that “yes” might take you.

If you’re thinking about becoming a qualified personal trainer or group fitness instructor, check out our Certificate III and IV in Fitness. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions!