As a proud mum-of-two and an Accredited Exercise Physiologist, Alex Gleeson is deeply passionate about ensuring that all pregnant women have access to safe and affordable training options. With a deep understanding of the unique needs of pregnant women, she has developed an online workout program that is tailored to every stage of pregnancy, to suit individual pace and fitness level. She loves to support and guide her clients through a happy pregnancy and recovery. Here she talks to The Natural Parent Magazine about the inspiration behind Strong by Alex, the challenges she has overcome along the way, and her hopes and dreams for her business for the future.
The passion: What inspired you to set up your business?
The inspiration behind establishing Strong by Alex comes from a blend of my family’s influence and personal experiences.
Growing up with a mum who is a General Practitioner with a special interest in women’s health and obstetrics laid the foundation for my early interest in the field. Witnessing her dedication to supporting women’s health journeys left a lasting impression on me and increased my passion to contribute to this space.
Also, my academic journey, marked by a bachelor’s degree with honours in Exercise Physiology and a master’s degree in public health from the University of Sydney, deepened my understanding of the unique needs of women during pregnancy. Becoming a mother myself highlighted the absence of affordable and personalised exercise guidance for expecting moms. This realisation became a catalyst for the creation of Strong by Alex, driven by the belief that every woman deserves a comprehensive and accessible exercise program tailored to the transformative phases of motherhood.
The launch: How did you start out in the beginning?
The launch of Strong by Alex marks a personal and pivotal moment in my life. The idea of this business idea occurred during my second pregnancy when I recognised a gap in accessible exercise resources for expecting mothers in Australia and globally.
Determined to bridge this gap, I grabbed the opportunity to film workouts tailored to the unique needs of pregnancy throughout my own gestation. This decision not only turned my vision into a tangible reality but also became the catalyst for the comprehensive exercise programs that Strong by Alex offers today – in both the prenatal and postnatal areas.
To kickstart the journey, I entered the world of social media. Recognising the power of online platforms, I created dedicated pages to share my expertise, insights, and workout content. Through consistent engagement, valuable content, and a genuine connection with my audience, the platform evolved, laying the foundation for what Strong by Alex is today.
The innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
The turning point in my entrepreneurial journey came when I assembled a reliable Digital Marketing team that I could trust to navigate the technical and marketing aspects of running my business. Let me tell you there were a few false starts and various wonderful people along the way, but the breakthrough with an experienced and knowledgeable Digital Marketing team alleviated many of the challenges I faced in managing various areas of the business, creating a more streamlined and efficient operation.
I use Cyrius Media Group based in Sydney, who are a senior team of digital marketers and creatives, who I just love working with! With Cyrius as my dedicated team, the synergy between our skills and expertise became the catalyst for sustained growth and success, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of Strong by Alex.
Collaborating with a dependable marketing team not only brought expertise to areas where I needed support but also allowed me to focus on my core strengths and values of the business. Some of the areas we’ve focused on are:
- Prenatal programs.
- Postnatal program launch.
- Meditation programs (coming very soon).
- Meals & nutrition.
- Bonus content for subscribers.
- A Facebook group where my clients can swap notes and bond as a group.
- Bigger and better FAQs.
- New blogs for even more information for subscribers.
- Socials – lots and lots of social posts – both paid and organic.
- Getting out there and doing lots of interviews, events and promotions.
- Trying lots of online marketing such as digital media design & marketing, as well as SEO, SEM, SMO, SMM to get the views and being found online.
This pivotal moment underscored the importance of collaboration and reinforced the idea that a cohesive and competent team is instrumental in overcoming hurdles and propelling the business forward.
