The Rural Ramble

Rural Ramble: It's All Connected — Gut & Pelvic Health
Friday 30th October | 9am – 1pm

WAI-ORA Glamping Site, Speedy Road

Two health professionals, one mission.

Bringing health education to the farm gate is one of Rural Ramble's core missions. This edition brings together Jen (Pelvic Health Physiotherapist) and Grace (Clinical Nutritionist) to explore a connection many of us have never thought about: gut health and pelvic health.

Did you know your gut and your pelvic floor are deeply linked? Gut issues can contribute to pelvic pain and bladder and bowel dysfunction; and pelvic health issues can, in turn, affect digestion and gut function. Join us to learn:

• How gut health can affect pelvic health, and vice versa

• Why these two health professions often need to work together

• How to know who to see, and when

• How stress, sleep, diet, and movement all play a role in either or both

Both gut and pelvic health topics can be hard to talk about with your healthcare team or providers. Our aim is to arm you with the knowledge and confidence to make your health journey that little bit easier.

But it’s not just an exchange of information The Rural Ramble is a half day mini retreat of goodness…

The Ramble Experience

The morning starts with a beautiful farm walk into a secret glamping site: Waiora. Flanked by a river on one side and a serene wetland on the other, creating a peaceful atmosphere to spend a morning connecting and learning.

Morning tea and lunch are provided by Kate Delatour, local food alchemist. Her food not only nourishes the soul but leaves you realising the power good food truly has. Along the way, we'll be guided through a gentle Pilates class with Jane Ward, Pilates CHB, movement enthusiast.

Introducing Jen Mackie — The Lifestyle Physio, General & Pelvic Health Physiotherapist

Jen founded Rural Ramble to bring her learnings about lifestyle medicine to rural women. Taking health education out of the clinic and into the paddock, where it's needed most. Every Ramble is a little different: some lean into business, some into health, some are simply about connection, but nature is always woven through.

With 18 years' experience as a physiotherapist, Jen's skill set spans general and pelvic health physiotherapy, Pilates teaching, strength and conditioning coaching, alongside coaching qualifications in perimenopause and pre/postnatal health. Her approach is guided by a simple philosophy; treat the problem, then train the person. She weaves together clinical expertise and practical, whole-body training to help women move and feel better at every stage of life.

In diving deeper into pelvic health, Jen has found herself learning more and more about gut health and nutrition and the role it plays within pelvic health. She's excited to bring this talk to you. Health literacy and education is a real passion of hers, and this Ramble is another step in bringing that knowledge back to rural communities.

Introducing Grace Petersen — Registered Clinical Nutritionist, The Nutrition Clinic Hawke's Bay

Passionate about prevention over treatment, Grace believes every woman deserves the knowledge and tools to better understand and care for her body.

Grace is a Registered Clinical Nutritionist at The Nutrition Clinic Hawke's Bay. She holds a Bachelor of Science majoring in Human Nutrition from the University of Otago, followed by a Master of Applied Science, graduating with Distinction.

A local Central Hawke's Bay girl, Grace is passionate about bringing an evidence-based, whole-body approach to women's health across the region. Her clinical experience spans digestive health, hormonal health, low mood and anxiety, and metabolic health, allowing her to translate complex nutrition science into practical, realistic strategies that can be incorporated into everyday life.

In this session, Grace will explore the connection between nutrition, digestion and pelvic health, with a focus on practical strategies to support gut function, the pelvic floor and overall wellbeing. You'll leave feeling more informed and confident, with evidence-based nutrition and lifestyle tools to support your body through every season of life.

With Jane Ward — Owner, Pilates CHB

Jane graduated from Massey University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science, majoring in Prescription and Training. This led her on an eight-year journey within the health and wellness industry, building a strong foundation in exercise prescription for general and special populations, balance and mobility classes, mums and bubs classes, HIIT classes, and NetballSmart injury prevention programmes.

Along the way, Jane has seen firsthand the benefits that all types of movement can have on the body. She's excited to guide you through a gentle Pilates flow that will leave you feeling centred and relaxed.

Day includes:
📚 Educational health talk by registered health professionals
🍽️ Morning tea and lunch
🧘 Pilates class
🚶 Farm walk
🌿 A morning retreating at Waiora

Come for the learning, stay for the connection — and a walk somewhere gorgeous.