When you meet Jacqui Somerville, her warmth and passion for helping mums shines through immediately. Based in WA, Jacqui runs Mum and Mini Fitness — a space where mums can train, kids can tag along, and community is everything. But her path to building this business wasn’t straightforward.

In our latest episode of the Women’s Fitness Education Podcast, Jacqui opened up about her journey into the fitness industry, the challenges of balancing business and motherhood, and why communication is the most important skill a trainer can have.

Finding Purpose Through Struggle

Jacqui didn’t grow up dreaming of being a personal trainer. In fact, it was her own struggle with an eating disorder that led her there.

“I had support from a psychologist, a dietitian, and also a personal trainer,” Jacqui explained.
“The encouragement he gave me completely changed how I saw my body. If I can have even half that impact on my community, why wouldn’t I?”

That experience inspired her to study fitness, starting out with group classes like Les Mills Body Attack before moving into personal training.

Building a Business for Mums

Years later, after becoming a mum herself, Jacqui realised just how hard it was to get back into the gym. That frustration sparked the idea for Mum and Mini Fitness.

Her model is simple but powerful: mums are welcome to bring their kids along. There’s a playground, a fenced outdoor space, and a lot of understanding.

“Sometimes it’s calm, sometimes it’s chaos — but that’s real life with kids. What mums need is support and somewhere they feel safe.”

Today, her classes sit at 80–90% capacity, with a community of mums who stay as long as they can before heading back to work.

The Power of Community

For Jacqui, the most rewarding part of her work is watching women transform — not just physically, but mentally.

“I’ve seen mums go from struggling to even leave the house to walking in confident, grabbing the heavier dumbbells, and owning their strength. It’s life-changing.”

At one Christmas party, a client even told her, “You saved my life.” For Jacqui, that moment cemented her purpose: creating a space where mums feel supported and valued.

Lessons in Business (and Motherhood)

Like many trainers, Jacqui admits that at times she pushed too hard and spread herself too thin. The biggest lesson? Go slow to go fast.

“I wanted to run classes every day, add more sessions, take on more clients… but that just led to burnout. Now I remind myself to slow down. My kids are only little once.”

She also shared one of her best coaching tools — the traffic light system. Before each session, clients check in with themselves:

• Red light → Low energy, tired, emotional.

• Amber light → Somewhere in between.

• Green light → Ready to go.

That quick check helps Jacqui adapt the session to her clients’ real needs, instead of just pushing them through a program.

Advice for Future Trainers

For women thinking about becoming personal trainers, Jacqui’s advice is clear:

• Back yourself. Don’t let fear hold you back from following your passion.

• Start small. You don’t need the perfect business setup from day one.

• Get support. Just like clients need trainers, trainers need coaches and mentors for business.

• Communicate and care. Technique matters, but listening and connecting with clients is what keeps them coming back.
  

Jacqui’s story is a reminder that a career in fitness is about so much more than workouts. It’s about community, compassion, and helping women step into their confidence.

Whether it’s a mum doing her first workout since giving birth, or someone learning to finally prioritise their health, Jacqui is proof that trainers have the power to change lives.

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