From running boot camps for locals on her front lawn to becoming an online fitness sensation, Kate Ivey is inspiring thousands of people to move their bodies and embrace a holistic view of health and wellbeing.
The busy mum of three has built an online empire with her DediKate platform, all from the family’s farm near Twizel, proving location is no barrier to success.
DediKate is an online health and fitness community and app for busy women. They have members throughout New Zealand and Australia. The philosophy of DediKate is built around improving overall health and well-being, not weight loss.
Ivey told Rebecca Greaves about her new challenge - Move for Rural Mental Health, which starts on Monday 21st of August that encourages rural Kiwis to get active.
"It's a seven-day movement challenge, so you exercise each day for seven days," she explained.
Prizes such as two nights at a luxurious lodge, a family supply of gumboots, a Kenwood mixer and more can be won just by donating to their Give-a-Little page to enter the initiative.
All the money donated will go to the Rural Change Program which is supporting rural people, anyone involved in agriculture, with their mental health.
Ivey explained she wanted to use her expertise in fitness and health to help those who have been impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle, particularly those in rural areas who were hit the hardest.
"Any ideas at the time felt quite token and sometimes people help just for their own business, and I wanted to make sure it's earnest and it's something that's meaningful that we can really give back to the communities.
"The Rural Change program went on hold recently because of overloading for their mental health services because of the Cyclone. When that happened I saw an opportunity that we could help."
Together with Philippa Cameron from What's for Smoko, the pair created the program to raise money for rural change but also for the benefits physical exercise has on mental health.
As little or as much of a donation that can be made is happily accepted and is all that is required to take part in the challenge.
For anyone wanting to start their own fitness journey or improve their fitness and health, Ivey recommended setting achievable habits and building on them over time instead of thinking you need to jump straight into massive, intense and long workouts immediately.
You can sign up for the challenge here: Move for Rural Mental Health (kateiveyfitness.com)
Listen to the full chat between Health & Wellbeing advocate Kate Ivey and Rebecca Greaves above.
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