As we head into 2026, healh and wellbeing is top of mind for so many women. In this piece, we ask leading Australian women founders about how they are approaching health, mental wellbeing, and performance in the year ahead.
Layne Beachley, co-founder of Awake Academy
I’m going to ACE stress this year!
Stress is a silent assassin. I’m a silent sufferer so for me, it’s a double whammy! My word for 2026 is alignment. This is my intention and accountability partner. In order to achieve this my primary wellbeing focus is stress management. I tick all the wellbeing boxes- A balanced diet, workouts, minimal alcohol, regular surfs, solid hydration, decent sleep and regular meditation. You’d think I have all bases covered but stress sneaks in through ruminating, past and future thinking, anxiety and compulsive problem solving. We can control are our thoughts but when I’m tired, stretched, overwhelmed, exhausted or sleep deprived my thoughts spiral fast. This is where ACE comes in.
Awareness. My thoughts are not who I am.
Curiosity. Helps me pause and ask, why does it matter? Is it true?
Empathy. Extending compassion, honesty and kindness, especially when I’m struggling, helps break the negative loop.
Together they bring me back into alignment and a state of calm.
Lisa Curry, three-time Olympian and co-founder, Happy Healthy You
As I step into 2026, I have quite a few wellness goals that I have set not just for my health, but for how I live and work.
My first priority is redefining how I use my time and energy. I want my business and daily rhythms to support clarity, creativity and sustainable growth, rather than constant busyness. As someone in post-menopause, I know firsthand that self-discipline must be balanced with self-care. I can only support others when I’m truly looking after myself.
This year also marks a reset in my own health and fitness. After several years of it slipping down the list, I’m returning to what I know works: consistency over extremes. My four pillars — Sleep, Exercise, Lifestyle and Food (SELF) — are now non-negotiables. When these are in place, everything else feels more manageable and aligned.
Most importantly, 2026 is about living fully. True wellness isn’t about doing more; it’s about creating space for family, purpose and joy.
This year, I’m choosing a life well lived, not just well managed.
Jen Dugard, founder of Mum Safe
This year, I’m committing to fewer priorities, but engaging with them more deeply and intentionally.
My word for the year is focus, and this will flow through and guide all areas of my life.
I will move my body in ways that feel purposeful and supportive, along with training for a few specific fitness events. I will protect my sleep as a foundation for everything else, and be fully present with the people and projects that truly matter to me. Rather than spreading myself thin across endless expectations and “shoulds,” I’m choosing to be more deliberate with where my time and energy go. I’ll measure my wellbeing not by how much I get done, but by how often I can honestly say, “I gave my full focus to what was in front of me today.”
Victoria Cutler, founder of Cutler & Co Architects
For 2026, I’ve set a series of wellness and lifestyle goals designed with energy, focus and long-term wellbeing in mind.
The first one is that I’m committed to protecting my mornings. In 2026, I want to start each day intentionally, prioritising movement, sunlight and at least 30 minutes without emails or my phone.
My approach to fitness in 2026 is about training for energy, not aesthetics, with a focus on strength, walking and mobility to support longevity, posture and mental stamina.
I’m also planning on designing my calendar with greater intention, blocking time for deep work, recovery and clear boundaries.
Nutrition is another key focus, where I will be focusing on protein, whole foods, hydration and stabilising my blood sugar to support brain performance and avoid energy crashes.
To regulate my nervous system, I’m incorporating more stillness through journalling and meditation, and I’m making a conscious effort to switch off digitally — a challenge for me — so my mind can properly recover and stay sharp long term.
Talitha Cummins, founder of The Cut Jewellery
My wellness goals this year include being consistent with weight training, because as we get older, it is very important to maintain muscle mass. I also feel physically and mentally strong when I prioritise this.
I also plan on spending more time in nature. I spent the Christmas holidays on vacation in the snow and it really made me realise how much I’ve enjoyed nature as an escape from the very busy life and a rest for my brain.
Consistant sleep is also important. I am an early riser (4.30am ish), and it’s important to make sure I’m in bed early (8.30pm ish) to ensure I feel my best each day. I love going to bed early, as morning is my time
I also plan on having a minimum of one day off a week where I’m detached from the business… being in early founder stage this is hard!
Finally, I plan on using saunas more frequently, both for the wellness benefits and for time away from work and thinking time!
Brittany Bloomer, co-founder of Villagehood App and founder of Pound Paws
My priority for the New Year, is protecting my nervous system, personally and professionally. As both a founder and a mother, I’ve learned that burnout doesn’t always come from working too hard, but from operating without the right support, rituals and sense of community.
Motherhood, combined with building a company, has shown me how important it is to have real support systems in place. Being intentional with my time, getting outside instead of scrolling, creating space to think clearly, and knowing I can reach out to my community when I need to, has made a noticeable difference to how steady and connected I feel.
At Villagehood, we see firsthand that genuine human connection is one of the most powerful wellness tools available, especially for mothers navigating isolation and mental load. In 2026, I’m prioritising slower mornings, more time outside, and weaving community into my week the same way I schedule meetings.
