Michelle Bridges' Wake-Up Call on Ageing Sparks New 'Future Proof' Program for Women

Bringing together Australia's leading voices in health, brain science and longevity to help women build strength, protect their brain and take ownership of how they age

A confronting experience that left Michelle Bridges temporarily dependent on her 10-year-old son, has reshaped how the renowned health and fitness expert and best-selling author thinks about ageing, strength and long-term independence, inspiring the launch of her new women's health program, Future Proof.

Future Proof is Michelle’s most advanced 12WBT program to date, bringing together some of Australia’s leading voices across health, movement, brain wellbeing and nutrition, including:

• Dr Norman Swan - one of Australia’s most trusted medical voices, providing expert insight into healthy ageing, preventative health and heart health

• Kelley Abbey - renowned dancer and choreographer delivers the program’s dedicated dance component, designed to support coordination, confidence and brain function

• Dr Annabel Matison - evidence-based guidance on brain health, cognitive resilience and dementia prevention

• Dr Harrison Weisinger - inflammation control, mindset, emotional intelligence and stress management to support lasting behaviour change and resilience

• Luke Khoury - strength, mobility and recovery strategies for long-term movement and independence

• Lisa Donaldson APD - practical nutrition advice focused on fibre, protein balance and long-term wellbeing

• Kylie Jones - founder of Fifty and Fearless, bringing a relatable, real-world perspective on reinvention, confidence and thriving in midlife

Shifting the focus beyond weight loss, Future Proof centres on the foundations of long-term health and independence: strength, bone health, balance, cognitive resilience, confidence and independence. Guided by Michelle, it combines structured workouts, practical and sustainable nutrition, expert-led education, and a supportive community environment to help women future-proof their body and brain for the years ahead.

"A recent skiing injury forced me to slow down in a way I never had before, and honestly, the feeling of relying on other people for basic things really shook me," said Michelle Bridges.

"It gave me a glimpse of what loss of independence can look like, and it completely shifted my thinking. I stopped focusing on ageing aesthetically and started asking bigger questions: How do I stay strong? Sharp? Mobile? Independent? How do I keep showing up fully for my life?

"We hit midlife and everything shifts - less estrogen, less of that natural 'give to everyone else' energy, and suddenly you're faced with a choice. Do you disappear into decline, or do you step up and take ownership of how you want the next chapter to look?

"Women are living longer than ever, but we're not necessarily living stronger. Future Proof is about changing that trajectory. This isn't about trying to look or stay younger. It's about building a body and brain that supports you for the next 20 or 30 years of your life. Getting older is inevitable. But how you show up for it, that’s a choice.”

At the heart of Future Proof is a new training philosophy within 12WBT, combining progressive strength training, mobility and dance-based cognitive training. Across 12 weeks, participants follow a structured weekly program featuring three strength sessions, one mobility workout and one dance workout, designed to build muscle, improve joint health, support balance and coordination, and challenge the brain through movement, supporting neuroplasticity and cognitive function - effectively helping to rewire the brain and body. 

A standout feature of the program is its dedicated dance component, led by accomplished creative director, choreographer and performer, Kelley Abbey. For Michelle, dance was a non-negotiable inclusion in Future Proof because if women are serious about supporting neuro-health, it needs to be part of the conversation. Dance combines coordination, memory, rhythm and learning, making it a powerful form of cognitive training that can support brain function, mobility, core strength and emotional wellbeing, while also bringing joy to the workout experience. Emerging research suggests dance may help improve or maintain cognition in older adults, making its inclusion one of the program’s key points of difference. 

The health challenges women face in midlife are well documented. Dementia is the leading cause of death for Australian women and according to Dementia Australia up to 45% of cases may be preventable or delayed by addressing modifiable risk factors. Women hit maximum bone health at the age of 30, and Healthy Bones Australia says more than 1 million Australians have osteoporosis, while 66% of people aged 50 and over have osteoporosis or osteopenia. Women’s cardiovascular risk also rises after menopause, reinforcing the importance of strength, movement, nutrition and preventative health habits. Australia’s 24-hour movement guidelines, recommends muscle-strengthening activities at least twice a week and functional activities targeting mobility, balance and coordination on three or more days per week. 

Future Proof is Michelle's practical response to all of these challenges, bringing together brain health researcher Dr Annabel Matison and choreographer Kelley Abbey to support cognitive function and coordination through movement; Dr Norman Swan on healthy ageing, heart health and preventative health habits; and strength and mobility expert Luke Khoury to build physical resilience and bone health.

The program includes complete meal plans and more than 1,400 recipes built around a high-fibre, anti-inflammatory approach. Designed to prioritise fibre-maxxing, protein balance and sustained energy, the nutrition framework supports gut microbiome diversity, heart health and healthy ageing in a realistic and sustainable way.

Long-term health outcomes are driven not only by training and nutrition, but by how women think, act and show up every day. Kylie Jones, founder of Fifty & Fearless and a leading voice on reinvention, empowerment and resilience for women in midlife, brings this mindset to life in the program by drawing on her experience helping millions of her followers navigate this stage of life. 

With scalable options to suit each participant’s fitness and health levels, Future Proof is designed to deliver both immediate and long-term benefits. The program aims to help women increase strength and muscle mass, improve bone and joint health, enhance balance and coordination, support brain function, reduce age-related risk factors, and build habits that contribute to greater vitality and independence over time. 

Registrations for Future Proof are open now. Pre-season starts on Monday 1 June, with the first round of the 12-week program officially starting on Monday, 6 July. 

For more information, visit www.12wbt.com