You Glow, Girl!

Zoe Fitzpatrick has always been passionate about wellness and helping others- pursuing nursing straight out of high school- but it was a relationship breakdown last year that led her to deep dive into a new world of self-development and holistic health.

The twenty-two-year-old attended several community events in Melbourne and Interstate, where she realised the importance of stepping out of your comfort zone, having a supportive community and fostering positive connection.

Leaning into her new learnings, Zoe spread her wings and moved from her hometown Traralgon to Phillip Island, where she wanted to start fresh and meet like-minded people.

Thus, Glow Girls began.

Zoe said that the community events she had attended in Melbourne and Gold Coast left her feeling confident, inspired, self-aware and at peace and she wanted to help others feel the same way.  

‘I felt as though there was a missing link within Gippsland that fostered these kinds of connections- especially being that I am in my early twenties and a lot of social interactions within this age group have an emphasis on drinking and ‘going out.’ To me, these interactions were at times leaving me feeling more lonely and socially drained,’ she said.

‘I wanted a way to meet like-minded women who also valued wellness, mindfulness, hobbies, and genuine connection! For that reason, I started an Instagram and Facebook page sharing this and began promoting our community events in January 2024. As much as I began the community on my own, it has always felt like ‘our community’, with an emphasis on it being inclusive to all women.’

Glow Girls aims to uplift, inspire and connect women through a diverse and fun range of wellness activities.

‘We facilitate events that encourage true authenticity and vulnerability, as well as self-development and a chance to get outside your comfort zone. Our values form the foundation of all of the events we hold, and therefore we strive to bring these into the lives of our community members. (*Values: Connection, Inclusivity, Mindfulness, Kindness, Self-worth).

‘All women are welcome at our events. This is not to exclude males, but instead to create a space for women to connect on a deeper level, without judgement, fear, competition, comparison, etc.

‘As much as Glow Girls stemmed from feelings of isolation and wanting to meet like-minded people, I believe it has become so much more than that and has now shifted into creating a nurturing space where women can come as they are, and give themselves an opportunity to be seen, held and valued by other women.’

The first event was a Yoga and Coffee in the Park, where Zoe hosted a range of connection activities, Yoga Flow was facilitated by local yoga teacher Brooke Webley, followed by coffee or brunch at Food Co on Franklin.

‘There were twenty-four women at this event, many who came alone and didn’t know anyone,’ Zoe said.

Glow Girls has since attracted over a thousand followers on social media.  Nearly two hundred women, aged from 18 to 50, have attend a range of events held throughout Gippsland.

‘Often members are interested in wellness, health, self-development, and mindfulness, however all attendees are simply keen to meet new people who are also open to making new friends in adulthood, which can sometimes be quite tricky,’ Zoe said.

Other Glow Girls activities held since its inception include:

• Reformer & Reflection: small group reformer Pilates at Zen Wellness in Tyres, followed by a journaling session
• Sweat & Scribble: an hour sauna & cold plunge session at Koho Sauna in Lakes Entrance, followed by a journaling workshop & brunch at Albert & Co, collaborating with Alyssa Sutherland (Catch Me Outside My Comfort Zone the podcast).
• Weekly Walk & Talk, meeting every Tuesday at Store 61 Cafe in Traralgon. ‘We’d grab a takeaway coffee and go for an hour walk. This was a great way to make solidified friendships as there were many girls that came most weeks. During the course of the Walk & Talks, Soulistic Studio in Traralgon also offered us a month of free Pilates every Tuesday morning before our walk.’
• Break The Ice: a two-hour event at Soulistic Studio in Traralgon that involved breath work, journaling workshop around the topic of comfort zones, connection activities such as an eye gaze, and to top it all off, an ice bath! ‘This was an intimate event that facilitated vulnerability, connection, growth and expanding your comfort zone,’ Zoe said.
• Aerial Class at Physipole Traralgon
• Disconnect to Reconnect, Wilsons Prom Day Retreat. ‘The biggest and my personal favourite event yet! A day event that saw 25 women gather at Tidal River to partake in a day full of wellness, adventure and connection,’ Zoe said. ‘We did a meditation and breath work on the beach led by Shell Rutter from Hold & Heal, followed by connection games and activities, a guided hike led by Rachel Jennings, BYO picnic lunch mid hike, and a beautiful & restorative ocean dip to finish off the day.’
• Coffee Club: the first event on Phillip Island (which felt like a brand-new community), hosted at The Store Phillip Island. ‘Sixteen women came along, most came alone, and we bonded over connection board games and delicious coffee,’ Zoe said.
• Hike, dip & connect: 8.5km hike along the Cape Woolamai trail on Phillip Island, followed by an optional ocean dip.

‘Anyone wanting to learn more about Glow Girls can like and follow the Instagram and Facebook pages where I post all upcoming events and links to book tickets where necessary,’ Zoe said. ‘The events are a mix between free, low cost and higher cost, with tickets ranging from $0-$60 at previous events.’