About

MARTHA LOUREY-BIRD, MSpSc, BSpSc(ExSc), UNSW

Martha is committed to helping people improve their health and wellbeing by being more active. An advocate of ‘exercise for every body’, she has helped thousands of people on their health, fitness and sporting journeys.

A sports and exercise scientist with over 20 years’ experience, Martha has a uniquely diverse range of skills. She is equally at home in the corporate, commercial worlds, as she is in academic and consumer-facing ones. She is sought after for her engaging leadership, customer-centric approach and innovative strategies for increasing sport/exercise participation and retention.

She has contributed her expertise as a scientific advisor, director, board member and corporate consultant to a number of well-known global brands, during an international career which has taken her around the world. To date, she has worked in more than 12 countries, forming and nurturing strategic partnerships in each, with brands and companies that share her commitment to helping people lead healthier lives.

As a 6-foot tall athlete, Martha also has first-hand experience of the difference a sports scientist can make to a sporting career. So, after gaining her Masters degree in Sports Science, she was motivated to give back, and lectured for 15 years at the University of New South Wales’ Faculty of Medicine. Teaching and inspiring more than 20,000 University students, she was awarded the prestigious UNSW Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award during her lecturing career.

Now, with a special interest in improving women’s health and increasing girls’ sport participation, Martha leads by example. Practising what she preaches, she finds ways to exercise every day, in amongst juggling the demands of a busy career and family life.

As a mum to two high-performance athletes (pictured), Martha is passionate about raising athletes. She’s called on regularly to share her advice and ideas on exercise and sports participation on radio, podcasts, TV and in print and social media.

Martha is also…

• A Sport Australia mentor with the Australian Sport Mentoring Collective committed to increasing diversity at the senior level in sport.
• A dedicated volunteer, coaching youth sports, presenting to school groups, leading community-based walking programs, serving on sports governance committees and industry boards.
• An ambassador for Flexible Working Day, she is passionate about helping to create flexible working environments, because by allowing people time within their workday to be active, everybody wins.
• A published author of books and articles dedicated to helping people improve their exercise and sporting experiences, with a particular focus on women and girls.
• A judge for the Australian Fitness Awards, an annual event powered by peak industry association Fitness Australia, recognising and celebrating industry professionals, individuals, businesses and programs.
•  An advocate for women and girls in sport, helping to create the best possible ecosystem of support for girls – of all abilities and interests – to experience inclusive and diverse sporting options and, as such, the vast array of benefits.

For recommendations, clients and more specific details on Martha’s career history, please visit her LinkedIn profile.