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Meet the EMP Expert Team

Clinical expertise meets real-life practical support. Meet the experts inside the Empowered Motherhood Program. 

 

About the EMP Experts

At the heart of the Empowered Motherhood Program (EMP) is a team of highly experienced and passionate experts dedicated to supporting women through every stage of motherhood. Drawing on extensive clinical knowledge, personal experience, and evidence-based practices, the EMP experts provide guidance across pregnancy, birth preparation, and postpartum recovery. Their combined expertise in pelvic health, maternal fitness, psychology, nutrition, and holistic wellbeing ensures that mothers receive comprehensive, compassionate, and empowering support throughout their journey.

pregnancy pelvic girdle pain safe exercise

Lyz Evans

Lyz is an APA Titled Pelvic Health Physiotherapist with a Master’s degree in Pelvic Health and over 20 years of clinical experience. She specialises in supporting women through every stage of life, focusing on pelvic health, pre- and postnatal care, and rehabilitation for complex conditions. Her extensive expertise allows her to provide evidence-based, personalised care that helps women regain strength, confidence, and wellbeing. Lyz is also actively involved in research and professional education, contributing to the advancement of women’s health knowledge worldwide.

A mother of three, Lyz combines her professional knowledge with personal experience, giving her a deep understanding of the physical and emotional challenges of motherhood. She is dedicated to advancing women’s health through research, education, and compassionate clinical practice, empowering her patients to thrive both during and beyond pregnancy.

pregnancy pelvic girdle pain safe exercise

Lyz Evans

Lyz is an APA Titled Pelvic Health Physiotherapist with a Master’s degree in Pelvic Health and over 20 years of clinical experience. She specialises in supporting women through every stage of life, focusing on pelvic health, pre- and postnatal care, and rehabilitation for complex conditions. Her extensive expertise allows her to provide evidence-based, personalised care that helps women regain strength, confidence, and wellbeing. Lyz is also actively involved in research and professional education, contributing to the advancement of women’s health knowledge worldwide.

A mother of three, Lyz combines her professional knowledge with personal experience, giving her a deep understanding of the physical and emotional challenges of motherhood. She is dedicated to advancing women’s health through research, education, and compassionate clinical practice, empowering her patients to thrive both during and beyond pregnancy.

Kimberly Smith

Kimberly, a mother of three, is a former professional athlete and corporate lawyer who discovered her passion for maternal health after experiencing birth-related injuries herself. Her personal journey inspired her to specialise in supporting women through the physical and emotional challenges of pregnancy and postpartum recovery. She brings a unique perspective by combining high-performance training principles with real-life motherhood insights, helping women optimise their strength, mobility, and overall wellbeing. Kimberly is committed to staying at the forefront of perinatal research and best practices to ensure her guidance is safe, effective, and evidence-based.

Now a perinatal exercise specialist, Kimberly combines her expertise in performance training with her firsthand experience of motherhood to create safe, effective, and empowering exercise programs. Her holistic approach also emphasises emotional wellbeing, ensuring that women feel supported and empowered throughout their motherhood journey.

pregnancy pelvic girdle pain safe exercise
pregnancy pelvic girdle pain safe exercise

 

Kimberley Smith

Kimberley, a mother of three, is a former professional athlete and corporate lawyer who discovered her passion for maternal health after experiencing birth-related injuries herself. Her personal journey inspired her to specialise in supporting women through the physical and emotional challenges of pregnancy and postpartum recovery. She brings a unique perspective by combining high-performance training principles with real-life motherhood insights, helping women optimise their strength, mobility, and overall wellbeing. Kimmy is committed to staying at the forefront of perinatal research and best practices, ensuring her guidance is safe, effective, and evidence-based.

Now a perinatal exercise specialist, after 12+ years working in maternal health, Kimmy combines her expertise in performance training with her firsthand experience of motherhood to create safe, effective, and empowering exercise programs. Her holistic approach also emphasises emotional well-being, ensuring that women feel supported and empowered throughout their motherhood journey.

The Experts behind EMP

Supporting the founders is a trusted team of leading health professionals who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to EMP. This expert group includes gynaecologists, obstetricians, pelvic health physiotherapists, psychologists, midwives, nutritionists, dieticians, lactation consultants, and naturopaths. Together, they provide holistic, evidence-based support that empowers women at every stage of motherhood—from pregnancy and birth preparation through to postpartum recovery and beyond. Their collective commitment ensures that mothers not only access safe and effective guidance, but also feel supported, informed, and confident throughout their journey.

Dr. Jason Chow

Dr. Jason Chow

Gynaecologist and Obstetrician

Dr. Jason Chow is a gynaecologist and obstetrician, specialising in the management of pelvic and bodily pain. In the EMP, he shares his extensive expertise to help you prepare for an informed and empowered birth.

Dr. Nicole Highet

Dr. Nicole Highet

Psychologist and Founder of COPE

Dr. Nicole Highet is a clinical psychologist and founder of the Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE). In the EMP, she shares practical tools and advice to help reduce the impacts of emotional and mental health problems.

Zoe Bingley-Pullin

Zoe Bingley-Pullin

Nutritionist

Zoe Bingley-Pullin is a qualified nutritionist, TV host, and author. In the EMP, she shares her passion for good nutrition, alongside her experiences as a mother, to guide you in making the best nutritional choices.

Stefanie Valakas

Stefanie Valakas

Dietician + Nutritionist

Stefanie Valakas is an Accredited Practising Dietitian with a Master of Nutrition and Dietetics. In the EMP, she shares evidence-based nutrition guidance to support you through a healthy pregnancy and beyond.

Cathy Shortt

Cathy Shortt

Lactation Consultant and Midwife

Cathy Shortt is a lactation consultant and midwife. A mother of three, she draws on both her professional expertise and personal experience to guide and support you as you prepare for and begin your breastfeeding journey.

Polly Delaney

Polly Delaney

Registered Midwife and Nurse

Polly is a registered midwife and nurse with over 11 years of experience. In the EMP, she shares her expertise to help you understand what to expect from antenatal appointments, guide you through the stages of labour and birth.

Belinda Kirkpatrick

Belinda Kirkpatrick

Naturopath and Nutritionist

Belinda is an expert nutritionist and naturopath from Sydney. She is the co-author of the book Healthy Hormones. In the EMP, she shares naturopathic advice to help you achieve optimal health and vitality during pregnancy and motherhood. Her approach combines nutrition and natural medicine.

Jennifer Hazi

Jennifer Hazi

Midwife and Doula

Jennifer Hazi is a midwife and doula dedicated to supporting women through pregnancy, birth, and beyond. In the EMP, she combines her clinical expertise with her holistic approach to guide you in preparing for birth, navigating labour with confidence, and embracing early motherhood with support and care.

Katie Stan Bishop

Katie Stan Bishop

APA Titled Pelvic Health Physiotherapist

Katie Stan Bishop is an APA Titled Pelvic Health Physiotherapist with extensive experience supporting women through pregnancy, birth, and recovery. In the EMP, Katie shares her expertise in pelvic floor health, helping you build strength, prevent common issues, and feel confident in your body.

Dr. Lynn Townsend

Dr. Lynn Townsend

Gynaecologist and Obstetrician

Dr. Lynn Townsend is a Gynaecologist and Obstetrician with sub-specialist expertise in obstetric and gynaecological ultrasound. In the EMP, she shares knowledge on pregnancy health and ultrasound care to help women feel confident throughout their journey.

Dr. Rosie Pajak

Dr. Rosie Pajak

Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Rosie Pajak is a Clinical Psychologist who specialises in supporting parents after traumatic or challenging birth experiences. In the EMP, she shares strategies to help you heal emotionally and feel confident, strong, and empowered in motherhood.

How the EMP experts support you

 

How do the EMP Experts support you?

The EMP Experts provide evidence-based guidance and practical strategies to help you stay strong, healthy, and confident throughout pregnancy and postpartum. Their combined expertise means you have a trusted team supporting your physical, emotional, and nutritional wellbeing at every stage.

Multi-Disciplinary Care

Pregnancy and motherhood affect every aspect of a woman’s health, which is why EMP brings together a team of specialists across multiple disciplines. This collaborative approach ensures that your body, mind, and overall wellbeing are cared for throughout your journey. Our expert team includes:

  • Pelvic health physiotherapists guiding safe movement and recovery
  • Obstetricians and gynaecologists providing trusted medical expertise
  • Psychologists offering emotional and mental health support
  • Nutritionists helping you fuel your body for strength and healing
pregnancy pelvic girdle pain safe exercise
pregnancy pelvic girdle pain safe exercise

Multi-Disciplinary Care

Pregnancy and motherhood affect every aspect of a woman’s health, which is why EMP brings together a team of specialists across multiple disciplines. This collaborative approach ensures that your body, mind, and overall wellbeing are cared for throughout your journey. Our expert team includes:

  • Pelvic health physiotherapists guiding safe movement and recovery
  • Obstetricians and gynaecologists providing trusted medical expertise
  • Psychologists offering emotional and mental health support
  • Nutritionists helping you fuel your body for strength and healing
pregnancy pelvic girdle pain safe exercise

Science Meets Real-Life Motherhood

Our programs are built on the latest clinical research and decades of professional experience. What makes EMP unique is that many of our experts are also mothers themselves, bringing empathy and lived experience to every recommendation. This means your care is grounded in both science and the realities of motherhood. Their expertise combines:

  • Programs developed from evidence-based clinical research
  • Insights shaped by years of hands-on professional practice
  • Experience from experts who are mothers themselves
  • Guidance that blends scientific knowledge with practical solutions
pregnancy pelvic girdle pain safe exercise
pregnancy pelvic girdle pain safe exercise

Support Beyond Pregnancy

EMP support doesn’t end at birth, it continues through postpartum recovery and long-term health. Our experts help you rebuild strength, care for your pelvic floor, and create strategies for lasting wellness so you feel confident well into motherhood. The support you’ll receive includes:

  • Safe and effective guidance for birth recovery
  • Postpartum strength training tailored for new mums
  • Long-term strategies for pelvic floor and core health
  • Ongoing expert support beyond the early months of motherhood
pregnancy pelvic girdle pain safe exercise

EMP has been a transformative program for me! The benefit of having variety of workouts  I could do daily has helped me managed my ongoing HG symptoms by keeping me moving even on the bad days.”

— Elspeth

I absolutely love the EMP! It makes staying active and strong during pregnancy easy. I feel so informed when it comes to preparing my body as best as I can.”

— Elissa

All Your Questions, Answered:

Feel confident at every stage - from early pregnancy to postnatal recovery. 

Feel strong and move safely through each trimester with our physio-led week by week program. Pregancy safe workouts combined with expert education and real life support. 

Pregnancy Program

Create the birth you deserve: positive, informed and supported. The latest research and evidence, combined with physio-led classes and personalised support. 

Birth Preparation

Heal your body safely after birth and by guided by the experts as you progress from early rehab to advanced fitness and running with our motivating week-by-week program. 

Postnatal Program

We created the Empowered Motherhood Program with a simple mission: 

To ensure that all mothers have access to expert-led exercise and education. 

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The Empowered Motherhood Program acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

The Empowered Motherhood Program acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.