Meet AUSactive Member Sonia Wray: Helping Australians Stay Active, Strong and Confident at Any Age

After 30 years in the corporate world, AUSactive member Sonia Wray decided it was time to pursue a different path—one built around movement, adventure and helping others live healthier lives.

Today, Sonia is the founder of Sterling Fitness, a boutique fitness business specialising in active ageing, personal training, hiking and trekking experiences for adults over 50. What started as a passion for mountaineering has grown into a thriving community where clients are encouraged to become stronger, healthier and more confident at every stage of life.

For the past 10 years, Sonia has been a proud AUSactive member, inspiring people to discover that age is never a barrier to achieving more than they thought possible.

“I'm fitter, stronger and healthier in my 60s than I was when I was younger. Movement in any form is good for your mental and physical health, and I want my clients to live a long and healthy life.” — Sonia Wray

Meet Sonia Wray

How long have you been an AUSactive member?

I've proudly been an AUSactive member for 10 years.

What inspired you to become an exercise professional?

After spending three decades in a corporate career, I wanted to build my own business around something I genuinely loved.

Mountaineering had always been my passion, so I started a hiking and trekking business. Completing my fitness qualifications gave me the skills to expand into personal training and group fitness. Ten years later, the business continues to grow because it's built around helping people stay active and adventurous.

What brings you the most joy?

Helping people discover what they're capable of.

Whether I'm training clients in their 80s, leading trekking adventures across Australia and overseas or simply listening during a personal training session, every day is different—but every day is rewarding.

Watching clients become stronger, healthier and happier never gets old.

What qualifications do you hold?

• Certificate III in Fitness
• Certificate IV in Fitness
• Wilderness First Aid
• Boxing Instructor
• Kettlebell Training
• Battle Rope Training
• Technical Lifting
• Multiple Mobility Courses
• Degree in Applied Mathematics
• Diploma in Education

Tell us about your journey as an exercise professional.

Sonia began her fitness career in 2015 at the age of 52.

Starting as a personal trainer, she soon realised her greatest strength wasn't simply teaching exercise—it was understanding people who wanted to stay active as they grew older.

Listening closely to clients led to the creation of hiking programs, boxing classes, Pilates, yoga, golf-specific fitness programs and international trekking adventures.

Today, Sterling Fitness delivers:

• Personal training
• Boutique fitness classes
• Boxing
• Pilates
• Yoga
• HIKEFit programs
• Australian trekking experiences
• International trekking adventures

The business now supports clients aged 45 to 87, delivering more than 13 weekly classes, five hikes and 20 personal training sessions every week.

What accomplishment are you most proud of?

Keeping older adults active.

Helping clients maintain their independence and continue doing the things they love is my greatest achievement.

What advice would you give someone entering the exercise industry?

Work on your strengths and what makes you different.

Most importantly, be a compassionate trainer.

Technical knowledge is important, but understanding people is what truly changes lives.

What is your favourite part of working in the industry?

Seeing people become stronger than they ever imagined possible.

Watching women in their 60s discover new confidence and strength reminds me why I chose this career.

How do you see the exercise industry evolving?

I see enormous opportunities in supporting Australia's growing population of older adults.

People over 55 are living longer, healthier lives and want to remain active, independent and capable for as long as possible.

When did you know this industry was home?

Around 18 months after starting my business, I realised I'd never return to corporate life.

I had found my purpose.

Can you share a moment that made a lasting impact?

One client joined Sterling Fitness because she struggled to bend down and tie her shoes.

After years of consistent training, she lost more than 40 kilograms, became one of our strongest members and continues training four days every week.

Stories like hers remind me why I love what I do.

What impact do you hope to have?

I want my clients to live long, healthy lives.

One of the most rewarding things is watching our younger members look at clients in their 80s and realise what's possible.

Our oldest members aren't sitting on chairs—they're lifting weights, completing push-ups, hiking mountains and proving that age doesn't define capability.

How has your philosophy on health changed?

Watching both of my parents experience serious health challenges changed everything.

Today, I believe movement in any form supports both physical and mental wellbeing.

I'm healthier today than I was decades ago, and I want others to realise they can experience that too.

What keeps you motivated?

I genuinely love what I do.

Learning never stops, and continuing to improve my knowledge helps me better support every client who walks through the door.

Sonia's Advice

“Work on your strengths and your differentiation… and I don't mean physical strengths. Be a compassionate trainer.”

At AUSactive, we're proud to celebrate members like Sonia Wray, whose passion for active ageing, personalised coaching and community continues to inspire Australians to live healthier, stronger and more active lives.

Whether she's leading a strength class, guiding a trek through the Himalayas or helping someone in their 80s achieve another personal best, Sonia is proving that movement truly has the power to change lives.