Be Yourself, Lift What Matters: Bree Maddock on Motherhood, Coaching & Finding Your Lane

If you’ve ever put off a dream because of that nagging little voice—what if I can’t? what if I’m not “fitness enough”?—you’ll love Bree Maddock’s story. Bree is a pregnancy and postpartum strength coach, a twin mum of three, and the definition of real-talk. Her mission? Help mums rebuild their bodies and confidence without letting their health “go to shiz” after kids—and yes, she’s not afraid to say the unsugar-coated version when needed.

Bree didn’t step into the industry with a perfectly mapped career path. In high school she wanted to be a PT, but let other people’s opinions (“I can’t picture you telling people what to do, Bree…”) derail her. Years later—working full-time in a jewellery store—she tried an F45 session with a friend, fell in love with the buzz, and blitzed her Cert III & IV in five months while still working. Determined to learn, she volunteered for work experience at her local F45 until they eventually hired her. Smart move.

Those early years were a tour of the industry: F45 coach to head trainer, Sunday bootcamps, one-to-one clients, then on to World Gym, Fernwood, and even a management stint at Snap Fitness—sometimes juggling five jobs across PT, retail and hospo. She tried to take clients online more than once, even ran a challenge that didn’t convert, and kept going anyway.

Then 2020 happened. With COVID in full swing and her partner joining the army (hello, relocations), Bree made the call to go all-in online. She invested in a business coach, upskilled in digital, and rebuilt from the ground up. The result? Five years fully online (and nearly ten years qualified this December), a model that lets her do her best work where she’s most needed—pregnancy and postpartum.

Today Bree coaches around 19 clients, mostly one-to-one. She also offers training-only programming for mums who want a plan and accountability without high-touch coaching, a friendly client community for support, a signature postpartum rehab program (core, pelvic floor, return to lifting), and a four-week accelerator she refreshes each year. Different seasons, different needs—her services reflect that.

Ask Bree about the most rewarding part of the job and she’ll talk about mindset before measurements. One recent favourite: a client who trained through pregnancy with Bree’s guidance, then faced a birth that didn’t go to plan. Together they navigated the early postpartum rebuild—physically and mentally—until she felt ready to “spread her wings” again. The win wasn’t a dress size; it was the shift from I’m failing to I’m adapting, and that’s strength.

None of this came without friction. In a bodybuilding-heavy gym environment, Bree once wondered if she had to look a certain way to be taken seriously. (Spoiler: she didn’t.) Transitioning into a sensitive niche brought a new kind of fear—what if I say the wrong thing? what if I cause harm?—so she did the slow, diligent work: specialised education, a full year of mentorship, and continual learning. And the motherhood-business juggle? Let’s just say newborn naps are not a productivity system—and twins don’t read your calendar. It took time to find rhythm, boundaries, and micro-pockets of focus. Some days still feel hard; she shows up anyway.

What makes a great coach, in Bree’s eyes? Listening—really hearing the woman in front of you—and honesty. Validate the hard, then tell the truth with care. Not the performative “you’re doing amazing, sweetie” if the same roadblock keeps repeating, but the loving nudge that helps a client move forward. “You’re allowed to be frustrated,” she’ll say, “and here’s the change that will actually help.”

Her advice to women thinking about a career in fitness is beautifully simple: try. “What’s the worst that could happen?” You’ll learn whether it’s for you by doing it—not by thinking about doing it. And if she could talk to her younger self? Be yourself. Speak your mind. You’re not meant to be for everyone, and that’s the point. The right clients will choose you because you’re you.

Bree’s story is a reminder that career paths aren’t linear, confidence grows through reps, and motherhood and muscle can coexist—messily, imperfectly, powerfully. Start where you are. Build what matters. Lift the things (and people) you love.

At Women’s Fitness Education, we share stories like Bree’s because every great coach starts with a first step. If you’re ready to train women with confidence, our Certificate III & IV in Fitness include women’s-health essentials (pregnancy & postnatal, peri/menopause, menstrual cycle, pelvic floor & prolapse) plus a supportive community while you study.

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!