My own journey with exercise did not begin from a place of balance. I used to believe that being as small as possible meant being healthy. It left me depleted, mentally and physically.
I delved into just about every mode of movement: CrossFit, yoga, boxing, powerlifting, Pilates. I went on to study fitness, and eventually, Exercise Physiology at The University of Sydney.
The more I learned, the more exercise went from breaking me to healing me. I started to protect, restore, and strengthen my body with patience and respect. This experience shaped the foundation of what I do.
After graduating, I worked in both physiotherapy and gym settings, and it became clear there was a missing link. Between rehab and strength training, between injury and intensity.
Every client has helped me with my approach to fill this gap. My approach to women’s strength training is grounded in alignment, quality of movement and evidence for longevity.
It’s a blend of rehabilitation principles with strength and intensity, tailored to each woman’s unique body and stage of life. As a mother of two young girls, I am more committed than ever to guiding women through the seasons of life with exercise that respects where they’re at and building strength for where they want to go.
Strength By Women is more than a clinic, it’s a movement. I look forward to welcoming you.
A note from the founder, Helen Matic
Our Mission
Empower women to transcend the noise and reclaim the innate wisdom and beauty of their own bodies.
Our Approach
We guide women toward what actually works for their bodies - not against it. We bridge the gap between horizontal floor work and standing strength, between Kegels and barbell squats, between uncertainty and progress.
Our approach to strength training was born out of necessity. Too often, women are left wondering what comes after rehab, after pelvic floor physio, or after being cleared post-injury or pregnancy.
We understand the huge physical shifts women experience through the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, postpartum, osteoporosis and menopause and we meet you exactly where you’re at.
We understand the inconsistency of life: stress, sleep, and nutrition which all affect your ability to exercise. That’s why it’s about knowing when to push and when to pull back.
It’s not about chasing soreness, perfection or comparing yourself to others; its about learning to move well and feeling powerful in your own body.
Our Team
Helen Matic
Founder and Head of EPHelen built Strength By Women after years of watching women fall through the same gap, rehab environments that treated them like a number, and gym floors that couldn't meet the complexity of their bodies. She knew women needed more than either could offer.
Strength By Women was founded to be that answer. Helen's clinical methodology blends rehabilitation with progressive strength work, individually prescribed for each woman's body, health profile, and stage of life. It's evidence-based, precisely tailored, and designed to evolve as you do. A mother of two young girls, Helen brings both professional rigour and personal insight into what it means to train through the realities of a woman's life.
Jennifer Chong
Senior Exercise Physiology Jennifer Chong is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist with over six years of experience helping women build strength, confidence, and trust in their bodies through movement. She specialises in musculoskeletal rehabilitation and women’s health, with a strong understanding of how pelvic health, strength, and movement patterns influence overall physical and mental wellbeing.
Jennifer has experience supporting women with pelvic floor concerns such as incontinence and prolapse, as well as guiding clients through pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and menopause. With a strong interest in strength training, she focuses on helping women exercise safely, feel supported, and develop lasting confidence in their bodies.
Clinical Content Lead and Exercise PhysiologistTanya Sharma
Tanya developed a passion for strength training from a young age, which has grown into a career focused on helping women move well, build strength, and feel confident in their bodies. Through her experience in competitive sport and university, she has had the opportunity to work with a wide range of people, from athletes looking to improve performance to individuals managing chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, and metabolic disease.
Tanya is currently completing a Doctor of Physiotherapy degree, which continues to deepen her understanding of movement, rehabilitation, and evidence-based care. This helps shape her approach as an Exercise Physiologist, allowing her to combine strength and conditioning principles with a strong clinical focus on injury management and movement quality.
Strength Movements You’ll Learn With Us
-
Core Engagement
PELVIC FLOOR AWARENESS
Learn how to engage your pelvic floor in conjunction with your core.
But most importantly, how to engage these muscle upon movement and exercise.
-
Squat
LOWER BODY STRENGTH
Build lower body strength with this functional strength movement involving the core, the gluteal group, and legs.
-
Row
UPPER BACK POSTURE
Build upper back strength with rowing movements.
Strengthening these muscles will build better posture, improve neck discomfort, shoulder stability and overall upper body strength.
-
Hinge
LOWER BODY STRENGTH
Focusing on the back of the body, this hinging movement reflects the movement we do every day: picking things up off the floor!
Tricky to perfect but absolutely necessary to strengthen and protect the lower back.
Perfect these to progress towards deadlifts.
-
Push
UPPER BODY STRENGTH
Pushing motions require strength through the chest, shoulders and triceps.
You will learn how to best stabilise the shoulders to push weight safely.
