✅ About Us

Who are the people behind Get Active for Life?

We’re a team with deep, hands-on experience in helping people improve their lives - physically, mentally, and emotionally. Our backgrounds span health and academia, the health and leisure industry, and professional coaching and therapy. Together, we bring expertise in healthcare, fitness, life coaching, motivational psychology and more.

We have all personally seen the benefits of getting active and keeping it up in the long term. We know this works and we are here to help you achieve this too.

Besides our core team, we will regularly feature special guests with specific expertise. We’ll tell you more about us and what we are up to as we go.

Tip: There’s more than one Andrew, so that can be confusing…

📝 Interesting People

Meet Bruce, who’s been exercising for years…

We don’t know who this particular Bruce is, but we wanted to explain what this section is going to be all about. Every week, starting from the next issue, we will feature a person whose life is better because they take some time each day to look after themselves and have managed to make it a regular part of their lives.

We will feature a short video interview with someone who will give us a few insights into their personal journey with Getting Active for Life.

You will hear about the good parts, the hard parts, the struggles and the benefits from people who have done it anyway and managed to keep going!

Do you know someone who should be in this section? Let us know and we’ll get in touch.

📝 Health & Wellness News

What we’ve been reading this week

🚀 A Hormone That Could Help You Live Longer?

Researchers have found that increasing a certain hormone called FGF21 in fat cells can lead to a longer, healthier life - at least in mice. The mice lived nearly twice as long as usual and stayed healthier, with better blood sugar levels and fewer weight-related issues. It's early days, but it’s an exciting step in understanding how our bodies age - and how we might help them age better.

Source: Cell Metabolism | UT Southwestern

🥓 Processed Foods Raise Risk of Disease

A major study confirms what many already suspected: eating processed foods like bacon, sugary drinks, and foods high in trans fats can increase your risk of serious diseases. Even moderate amounts were linked to higher rates of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. The takeaway? The more we can cut back on ultra-processed foods, the better off we’ll be.

Source: Nature Medicine

🦠 Gut Bacteria May Help Defend Against Toxic Chemicals

Scientists at Cambridge have found that some “good” gut bacteria may help absorb harmful chemicals known as PFAS - also called "forever chemicals" because they don’t break down easily in the environment or in our bodies. This discovery could lead to natural ways to reduce the buildup of these toxins over time.

Source: University of Cambridge | Nature Microbiology

🥗 Mediterranean Diet Linked to Lower Cancer Risk

Following a Mediterranean-style diet - full of fresh vegetables, healthy fats like olive oil, and whole grains - is linked to a 28% lower risk of dying from cancer. It’s also associated with living longer overall. This is just one more reason why a simple, balanced diet can have a big impact on long-term health.

Source: Mind Body Green

☀️ 1 in 4 People Low on Vitamin D

Nearly one-quarter of Australians don’t get enough vitamin D. This can lead to tiredness, low mood, weaker muscles, and more frequent illnesses. The risk is especially high in winter, for women, young adults, and people with darker skin. Getting safe sun exposure or taking a supplement can help keep your levels where they should be.

Source: WCNC

🤖 AI-Discovered Drug Shows Real Promise

In a world first, a new drug discovered entirely by artificial intelligence has shown early success in human trials. It’s being tested for a rare lung disease, and while more research is needed, this milestone could change how new treatments are found in the future - faster, cheaper, and possibly more effective.

Source: Nature Medicine

👍 Actionable Tip of the Week

Little Swaps → Big Gains

You don’t need to join a gym or carve out an hour a day to start getting more active. Some of the biggest long-term health benefits come from small, consistent changes, like choosing the stairs instead of the lift, walking to the shop instead of driving, or doing a few stretches while the kettle boils. These “little swaps” might seem insignificant, but over time they add up to something powerful: more movement, better health, and a stronger habit of being active.

Swapping convenience for movement helps rewire your day - and your brain - to see exercise not as a chore, but as a natural part of life. It builds momentum. You feel more energised, your mood lifts, and you start to notice that movement becomes easier and more automatic. These are the kinds of changes that stick, because they’re simple, sustainable, and fit into real life. And that’s where the real gains are made.

😊 Fun & Quirky

The lighter side of Health and Life

Dogs Doing Yoga (Yes, Really!)

Watch adorable pups join their humans for "doga" sessions - it's exactly as cute and wholesome as it sounds, and might just inspire you to try yoga yourself.

Link: YouTube Playlist

Wholesome Gym Moments That Restore Faith in Humanity

A collection of heartwarming gym stories and videos showing the supportive side of fitness communities - from strangers helping with form to celebrating each other's victories.

Link: TikTok

Wacky Wellness Tips That Actually Work

Discover bizarre but scientifically-backed health hacks like drinking coffee before napping, not brushing your teeth immediately after eating, and why screaming into a pillow might be good self-care.

Link: WKGC

The World's Cutest Interspecies Friendships

Prepare to have your heart melted by the most unlikely animal friendships - from dogs befriending ducks to elephants playing with dogs. These sweet bonds prove that friendship knows no species!

Link: Youtube