If your version of “self-care” looks like scrolling TikTok in bed with a family-sized block of chocolate, first of all….same. But if you’re serious about all things wellness and recovery, Gold Coast, we need to talk. The pride and joy of Arundel has arrived and her name is Breathe Performance Recovery, the dreamy new spot in town that’s giving wellness a seriously stylish (and evidence-based) makeover.

The brainchild of powerhouse trio Ashleigh Wilson, Julia Poole, and Kassiah Miller-MacLeod, Breathe isn’t your average gym-adjacent sauna setup or yoga studio-turned-juice bar. It’s a luxury, purpose-built recovery and wellness destination that blends top-tier performance tools with calming, design-led vibes. After years in the fitness and wellness industry, these savvy entrepreneurs saw a gap for a space that truly supported both body and mind in slowing down, healing, and recharging. Every element – from the services to the layout and interiors – was created with intention to bring that vision to life.

The soft opening in late April saw locals dipping their toes (and entire bodies) into the serene space, so they could get a taste of what this incredible development is all about; community, connection, and cutting-edge recovery. But now the team is gearing up for a grand opening that promises to be equal parts celebration and reset, and spoiler alert: it’s going to be ‘breath’-taking.

So, what’s on offer once you step into this holistic haven? Oh, just a curated mix of revolutionary recovery tools that’ll have your body loosening up faster than your jeans after Christmas lunch. Breathe serves up a range of recovery services and wellness facilities, like state-of-the-art infrared saunas with chromotherapy, reformer Pilates classes designed for precision and strength, magnesium hot and cold plunge pools, and compression therapy lounges using Normatec technology.

But the magic of Breathe isn’t just in its fancy recovery gadgets, it’s in the atmosphere. The space is both luxe and gorgeously grounded – think earthy tones, soft lighting, natural textures, and a calming aesthetic that looks like it’s been plucked straight from a high-end design mag. And once you’ve finished resetting every cell in your body, you can hit up the in-house café for a nourishing drink or snack that tastes as good as it makes you feel. Wellness, but make it delicious.

Breathe’s mission – to make recovery a lifestyle not a luxury – is another major flex factor. Whether you’re a high-performance athlete or just someone who’s been hunched over a laptop since 2014, this place is built for you. It’s not about having abs of steel or being able to touch your toes in a handstand. It’s about balance. About slowing down. About remembering to exhale after that giant inhale we call life.

Breathe is bricks and mortar proof that recovery is the new cardio – and we’re not mad about it. Whether you’re chasing PBs or peace of mind, this is your one-stop sanctuary to reset, recharge, and remind yourself that wellness doesn’t have to be hard.

Where: 10/354 Brisbane Road, Arundel
When: 5:30am – 9pm Monday to Friday, 8am – 4pm Saturday, & 8am – 6pm Sunday

Words by Bianca Trathen
Images by Mathilde Bouby

Feeling a little ho-hum over your usual sweat sesh rotation? Or maybe your rickety rig has been feeling less like a temple and more like a ‘fixer upper’ of late?

Whether you revel in any reason to get the ole’ bod moving, or the thought of exercise bores you to your very core – having some exciting new options to throw in your trusty repertoire can never be a bad thing. So without further ado, here are 10 unique exercise experiences on the GC to try your hand at. Because, y’know, variety is the spice of life, and all that.

Retro Fit
Sweatbands, sweaty bods and lairy leg warmers as far as the eye can see – no, you have not stepped back to a simpler time when Aerobics Oz Style dominated our pre-dawn tele viewing (#NostalgiaAlert). We are, in actual fact, referring to Retro Fit, an assortment of 80’s themed aerobics sessions where you get to strut your stuff to all your favourite bygone bangers… so basically, the most fun one can have while working out. Held at The Junction in Burleigh Heads, there’s different types of sessions going down several times a week, so there’s really no excuse not to get down and… get physical [gyrating intensifies].
Where: 14 Junction Rd, Burleigh Heads

Lights Out and Dance
For the rhythmically challenged among us; if the chance get your groove on under the cover of pitch black darkness sounds a dream, get on down to Lights Out and Dance and ‘dance like nobody’s watching’ (literally). Get those endorphins flowing while you lose yourself to some sweet dance beats in what is basically the most unintimidating group setting you can get. The intuitive-style sessions are held in a dark room so you can work up a sweat shaking what your mama gave you without a care in the world; and have stacks of fun in the process. Post-workout glow, incoming!
Where: Broadbeach Cultural Centre, Hooker Blvd &, Sunshine Blvd, Broadbeach Waters and Runaway Bay Youth Centre, 379 Oxley Drive, Runaway Bay

Puppy Yoga
No, we haven’t gone barking mad – Puppy Yoga is very much a thing… and yes, it’s exactly as amazing as it sounds. Picture down-dogging ’til hearts content, whilst being overrun by a sea of cute puppies! Hosted by the mindful fun and animal snuggle purveyors at Karmably, there’s various, oxytocin-boosting pop up dates held at Flow St8 throughout the year. Plus, we get to feel extra good knowing we’re helping socialise the pint-sized participants while we get our sweat on! Yep… it’s paw-ficial the perfect workout really does exist.
Where: Flow St8, 10 Fifth Ave, Palm Beach

Run Clubs
If your typical cardio rotation consists only of running away from your problems and jumping to conclusions, the various iterations of social run clubs that call the GC home will make a runner out of you yet. If you’re looking for a supportive environment where you can slide on in at snails pace without so much as a second glance, Parkrun is a perennial fave. With community events held weekly from Coomera through to Kirra, participants are welcome to walk, jog, run, or simply spectate. Or for a little extra incentive; we’d recommend checking out clubs that strategically plan their routes around our fine assortment of local watering holes, such as Unfit Run Club and Good Good Running.
Where: Assorted clubs/locations across the Gold Coast

Aerial yoga
If you’ve seen one tree pose, you’ve seen them all, right? Well, not necessarily… If you’re looking to shake up your usual stretch-and-breath sesh, Aerial yoga is where its at! Experience yoga from a whole new perspective, with an invigorating workout that involves performing poses gracefully suspended from a mix of hammock, silk and ring style contraptions. And the best part? You don’t even need to be a card-carrying yogi to get in on the fun! A variety of beginners classes mean people of all ages and abilities can learn the moves ‘on the fly’. Go on, why not give it a whirl!?
Where: Hapy Studio, 9/5 Traders Way, Currumbin

Therapy Fitness
When it comes to changing up the same ol’ workout grind, spin is hardly a revolutionary (geddit, heh) concept – but hear us out, because what we’re proposing is anything but your typical cycle class. At Therapy, Mermaid’s multi sensory fitness studio, the immersive ‘therapy’ sessions are all about boosting mental as well as physical wellbeing… and who doesn’t love a to-do list two-fer?! Combining music and movement, each of the fully integrated studio spaces have been optimised to get both the mind and the bod feeling fab. You’ll be glowing from the inside out in no time.
Where: Cnr Markeri St &, Southport Burleigh Rd Q Super Centre, Shop D2/D3, Mermaid Waters

Pound Fitness
Alright so remove any expectations you might have about what this entails and get excited for an extra fun time… because this workout ROCKS. Get ready to bliss out with ‘ya sticks out – fluro green drumsticks – that is, with the exhilarating full-body cardio jam session known simply as Pound. A rockstar-worthy workout that combines sweet beats with pilates inspired strength training and the sweat-dripping fun of drumming. What a time. Now this is the kind of exercise we could really ‘drum up’ some enthusiasm for! *ba dum tiss*.
Where: Various locations across the GC

Pole dancing
Does the thought of yet another yoga or pilates sesh low-key have you yawning? Why not step it up a notch and have a pole lot of fun challenging and contorting your core in ways you never even knew possible! Even if you’re not typically the flexy type; the pros behind some of our local studios promise there’s no previous experience or even coordination pre-requisites to give it a go! So really, we’ve got nothing to lose, and a whole lot of flexibility, and strength to gain. Sounds pretty badass to us.
Where: GCPOLEFIT, 87 Griffith St, Coolangatta and Rokh Fit Studio, Unit 2/19 Township Dr, Burleigh Heads

Cold Nips
What the heck is Cold Nips you ask? Well, basically, it’s a club dedicated to the art of starting your day with a nippy sunrise dip, that’s what. Promoting wellbeing and positive mental health, the national wellness initiative is all about finding joy and discomfort while connecting with like-minded peeps in nature, and how can you argue with a mood-boosting ritual like that? And to ensure they’re always keeping things fresh, each week’s mystery beach location is only revealed the Sunday night before.
Where: Locations vary weekly, check socials for deets.

NBHD HOT
If you’re in the mood to be challenged by more of a slow burn style workout – never fear GC, we gotchu… or at least, the Coast’s first infrared hot room does. Do not let the low impact movements and stretch-based routines deceive you – with German made infrared heating panels designed to heat your body from the inside out, a NBHD (or neighbourhood training) sesh will have you sculpting, strengthening and sweating like never before.
Where: 2582 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach

Words by Kellie Leader.

Carly Gallagher is a powerhouse Naturopath, Aromatherapist, Yoga Teacher, and go-to wellness coach for middle-aged women navigating hormonal weight gain.

With over two decades of experience in the health space and a personal 8-year journey to overcome her own weight struggles, Carly has honed a unique, science-backed process that resets the metabolic drivers in the microbiome—helping women in their 40s and beyond not only lose weight but keep it off effortlessly. And the best part? Her method is simple and can be done from the comfort of home, without grueling workouts or restrictive diets.

We caught up with Carly to dive deeper into her philosophy, how she’s transformed her own health, and the advice she has for women looking to get back in control of their weight and wellness.

How long have you been a Gold Coast local?
I’m a Gold Coast native, having grown up here and attended John Paul College in Daisy Hill. After graduating from The Australian College of Natural Medicine in 1994, I spent some time travelling overseas before settling in Melbourne for about two decades. The allure of the beach brought me back to the Gold Coast in 2020, so I’ve been a local again for the past few years. I wanted my teenage daughter to have the same life I had growing up on the beach.

What do you love most about Gold Coast?
What I love most about the Gold Coast is, without a doubt, the beach – did I mention the beach? It’s not just a coastline; it’s a way of life here. The year-round awesome weather is a close second compared to Melbourne, making every day feel like I just got off a plane in Bali. It’s impossible not to notice how fit and active Gold Coasters are. We’re practically a city that lives in activewear! Whether it’s surfing, jogging on the beach paths, or doing yoga on the foreshores, there’s always someone out there embracing our outdoor lifestyle. The combination of sun, surf, and an active community creates this vibrant, energetic atmosphere that just fills up my heart with love.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’m a naturopath and yoga teacher with over 25 years of experience in health. My life changed when I entered my 40s during perimenopause 8 years ago (hello hormones!), and I threw myself into women’s health, finding yoga and adding teaching to my toolkit. During COVID, I created a chakra-balancing range of body oils and herbal teas, which I sold at Palm Beach Currumbin markets for a year before my business for women over 40 took off. When I’m not helping my ladies or crafting wellness products, I’m in Currumbin with my cycling-enthusiast husband, our beach-loving 14-year-old daughter, our 2-year-old moodle, two cats, and four chickens. It’s a busy house-hold, but I wouldn’t have it any other way!

How did Inner Alchemy come about?
Inner Alchemy’s birth was quite a mystical experience. While studying yoga in Thailand, I had this surreal moment during a deep, ‘woo-woo’ meditation. One minute I’m being guided through a meditation, the next I’m envisioning a new business logo and brand – talk about a creative download! The tetrahedron shape in the logo has three points, representing me, my husband, and our daughter. Plus, being born in March, three has always been my lucky number. Cosmic coincidence? Maybe! At its core, Inner Alchemy embodies my fascination with transformation and change, much like our health journeys in life. It’s all about that magical process of melding and evolving, turning the ordinary into something extraordinary – just like alchemy itself!

Tell us a bit about your program.
My Metabolic programs are tailored for women over 40, focusing on sustainable weight loss and vibrant health. I’ve designed it to work with the body’s natural rhythms, considering hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause.

My programs include curated meal plans, tailored 15-minute ‘fat-burning’ exercise routines, yoga classes and stress management techniques, all easily accessible through my new App. More information can be found at my website.

What makes my approach different is the focus on rest-based weight loss and hormone balancing. I teach ladies to move away from the old ‘eat less, exercise more’ approach because, frankly, it often doesn’t work for women our age.

Instead, I emphasise strategic rest periods, smart nutrition choices, and efficient workouts that boost your metabolism without stressing your body.

My methodology is rooted in naturopathic principles, addressing the root causes of weight gain in mature women. I look at the whole picture – not just diet and exercise but also sleep quality, stress levels, and hormonal balance. My goal is to help women achieve lasting results and feel great in their bodies, without extreme measures or deprivation.

What has been the biggest opportunity and/or challenge so far?
The biggest challenge I’ve faced, which I share with many women over 40, is learning to slow down. We’ve been conditioned to believe that constant hustle and pushing ourselves to the limit is the key to success, especially when it comes to health and fitness.

Rewiring our mindset around rest and recovery, rather than the ‘go-go-go’ mentality we’re used to, has been a significant hurdle. For those who are fit and active, learning to exercise the smart way – with strategic intensity and adequate rest – is often the hardest part of our journeys.

However, this challenge has also presented the greatest opportunity. Embracing a rest-based approach has been incredibly rewarding. It’s opened up a new way of achieving health goals that’s more sustainable and fun. Who would say ‘No’ to a sauna and spa at the Eco Village instead of a workout, especially when it still helps your metabolism!

What is your number 1 hottest tip for women over 40 to start losing weight?
Rest more!!… Resting isn’t just about plonking yourself on the couch. It’s a mindful approach to well-being that goes beyond ‘doing nothing’. We’re talking about finding the balance – not over-exercising, not under-eating, but doing what’s just right for your body. This approach naturally creates more free time to enjoy life and family which incorporates rest. It’s about working smarter, not harder!

What do you love most about working on the Gold Coast?
The fact I get to enjoy a walk on the beach at Tugun with our dog each morning and say hello to all the locals before starting work.

What are your Gold Coast Favourites?
The Gold Coast has really stepped up its cuisine game over the last 4 years. Having moved back from Melbourne, I can honestly say, ‘Well done, Gold Coast!’ for the amazing new restaurants that have opened. It’s hard to pick just one for each, but I have to keep it local for this is where we eat out the most.

Café: ‘Costa Taco in Palm Beach –family-friendly and super tasty
Favourite restaurant: Rabbath Lebanese Bistro in Burleigh – a gorgeous French-Lebanese twist to their menu that is so fresh.
Bar: Our favourite Friday night date night is at our local Little Vine Room in Currumbin.
Beach: Currumbin – of course!

How do you choose to spend your days off?
Did I mention the Currumbin Eco Village? One of my favourite days off would be to have an infrared sauna and bath and dine on their amazing food all situated in nature. I also love gardening and you guessed it… going to the beach!