Amanda Mannes
Accredited Practising Dietitian, Wellness Coach, Crediential Menopause Specialist Coach
20 Plus years as a Dietitian living with Arthritis, endometriosis, Adenomyosis, inflammation, gut issues, and more; I figure out the theory and the practical so you don't have to.
Rural Women RISE - Midlife Health Lifestyle Education and Support Program
When your body changes, generic advice is not enough.Many women reach midlife and feel frustrated because what used to work no longer seems to.You may be eating similarly, moving when you can, trying to stay healthy — yet still noticing changes around the middle, poorer sleep, more cravings, lower energy, brain fog, aches, inflammation, stress or changes in blood pressure, cholesterol or blood sugar.This is not about willpower. It is about understanding what is changing and learning how to support your body differently.RISE gives you a practical way to begin.
Why women join RISE
Women join RISE because they want practical support for:
gaining weight around the middle; managing common perimenopause and menopause symptoms, including sleep, stress, and brain fog; reducing risk and managing common midlife lifestyle conditions, including rising blood pressure, cholesterol, insulin, and blood glucose levels. Preventing muscle loss and even building lean muscle, strength, and energy; helping them support themselves as their bodies change; connecting with women in a similar stage of life; and reassuring them they aren't the only ones who don't have it all together. Most are not looking for another diet.
They want clear information, realistic strategies and support that fits into real life.
What participants told us about the program:
“I wish I had done this in my mid-30s.”In 3 weeks, my clothes are fitting better, and I am lifting more in the gym.”It was great to receive evidence-based information.
”I enjoyed the group conversations and access to so many amazing experts — including Amanda.”
“It was so nice to hear other people have honest discussions about their experience; it definitely made me feel less alone”
"I have so much more energy from making some little changes"
Results from the pilot program:
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100% agreed or strongly agreed that RISE helped them feel more supported and less alone;
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100% agreed or strongly agreed that RISE helped them understand what is changing in midlife and make realistic nutrition and lifestyle changes;
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100% agreed or strongly agreed that RISE increased their confidence to seek appropriate professional support, including medical support;
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83% agreed or strongly agreed that RISE helped them become more active or develop a clearer movement plan;
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83% agreed or strongly agreed that they would recommend RISE to other women; one was neutral.
Participants rated their likelihood of continuing their changes over the next three months as very high, with strong conviction and room to monitor and adjust to maintain changes.
100% of participants found the expert guest speakers' involvement very or extremely useful, reporting it gave them more confidence to access services moving forward.
Feedback from initial evaluation survey participants in the 6-week RISE program. Individual experiences vary. Individual results are not guaranteed. This was funded with support of CWA Coleambally Agoon Branch and the Murrumbidgee Council Community Grant program
Results for RISE Pilot Program
“I wish I had done this in my mid-30s.”In 3 weeks, my clothes are fitting better, and I am lifting more in the gym.”It was great to receive evidence-based information.
”I enjoyed the group conversations and access to so many amazing experts — including Amanda.”
“It was so nice to hear other people have honest discussions about their experience; it definitely made me feel less alone”
"I have so much more energy from making some little changes"
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100% agreed or strongly agreed that RISE helped them feel more supported and less alone;
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100% agreed or strongly agreed that RISE helped them understand what is changing in midlife and make realistic nutrition and lifestyle changes;
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100% agreed or strongly agreed that RISE increased their confidence to seek appropriate professional support, including medical support;
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83% agreed or strongly agreed that RISE helped them become more active or develop a clearer movement plan;
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83% agreed or strongly agreed that they would recommend RISE to other women; one was neutral.
Participants rated their likelihood of continuing their changes over the next three months as very high, with strong conviction and room to monitor and adjust to maintain changes.
100% of participants found the expert guest speakers' involvement very or extremely useful, reporting it gave them more confidence to access services moving forward.
Feedback from initial evaluation survey participants in the 6-week RISE program. Individual experiences vary. Individual results are not guaranteed. This was funded with support of CWA Coleambally Agoon Branch and the Murrumbidgee Council Community Grant program
What participatnts told us:
RISE is for you if:
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You are done with all the confusing messages on social media, and you're ready to understand what is going on so you can do something about it with the science behind it,, with help from qualified experts
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You are not sure if you are in perimenopause or not, but you want to be prepared (P.S. If you're wondering, YES, that was a hot flush the other night; you're probably not getting the flu)
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You are noticing changes in weight, energy, sleep, mood, gut health, new aches and pains OR you want to protect muscle, metabolism, strength and long-term health.
You aren't looking for a restrictive diet and want something more realistic• you want evidence-based information explained in a practical, supportive way you would value connection with other women navigating similar changes -
RISE is designed for real women with real lives — work, family, farming, caring roles, appointments, fatigue, busy weeks and imperfect routines included.
Why is RISE different to other menopause programs?
RISE combines dietetics, menopause coaching, inflammation support, behaviour change and practical wellness coaching.
The goal is not to give you a perfect plan that only works when life is calm.
The goal is to help you understand your body, identify your next best steps, and build realistic habits that
support energy, metabolism, gut health, muscle, inflammation and long-term wellbeing.
You will leave with practical tools you can use straight away — not just more information.
What do we cover?
Six practical sessions. One clear midlife reset plan.
Week 1: Understanding Your Changing Body
Learn what is happening during perimenopause and menopause, why symptoms occur, and which midlife health checks matter. Includes a recorded expert contribution from GP Dr Julia Spicer covering medical support and menopause treatment options.
Week 2: Food, Inflammation & Energy.
Build a realistic nutrition approach that supports blood sugar, metabolic health, inflammation, energy and fewer cravings—without starting another restrictive diet.
Week 3: Sleep, Stress, Brain Fog & Gut Health
Understand how hormonal changes can influence sleep, stress, mood, cognition and digestion. Learn practical strategies to support your nervous system, gut health and everyday functioning.
Week 4: Pelvic Health & Midlife Symptoms
With women’s health physiotherapist Claire Lawson, learn about pelvic-floor health, bladder changes and other common midlife symptoms—and understand when and where to seek support.
Week 5: Muscle, Strength & Healthy Ageing
Explore why muscle and strength matter in midlife. Movement and achievable strength-based habits support metabolism, bone health, body composition and healthy ageing. Figure out what is right for you, right now and plan to make it successful for you.
Week 6: Your Long-Term RISE Plan
Bring everything together into a practical, personalised plan for nutrition, movement, sleep, stress and healthcare. Identify your priorities, support options and realistic next steps so you leave with direction—not information overload.
What you receive
What is included:
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Six live sessions (either online or face-to-face) with support to help you plan what changes you want to make
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Practical midlife health education
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Evidence-based nutrition and lifestyle strategies
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Support for food, protein, inflammation, gut health, energy and habit change
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Resource Book and Tools to help you plan around real life
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Supportive coaching, discussion and reflection
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Bonus Clinical Speciality Education for GPs and the Pelvic Floor Physio
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Bonus recipes and strength training resources
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A clearer personal plan for your next steps
RISE is designed to help you move from confusion to clarity in the company of like-minded women.
By the end of RISE, the goal is that you feel clearer about:
• what is changing in your body during midlife
• how to use food to support energy, metabolism and inflammation
• why protein, muscle and strength matter more as you age
• how sleep, stress and routines affect your weight and wellbeing
• what realistic habits you can continue after the program
• when to seek extra professional support from your GP, dietitian or women’s health team
This is not about perfection. It is about building a realistic plan you can come back to.
Next RISE intake:
COLEAMBALLY & ONLINE EARLY FEB 2027
EOIs for the next rounds are NOW OPEN
Click here to let me know you're keen, and I will be in touch about the next round when it's ready to launch.
Not sure if RISE is right for you?
RISE is suitable for women seeking practical education and support on midlife health, perimenopause, menopause, nutrition, inflammation, energy, strength, gut health, weight changes, and long-term wellbeing.
If you have complex medical needs or are unsure whether group support is appropriate, please email before booking.
Questions? Email rise@accept-health.com
FAQs
Is RISE only for women in menopause?
No. RISE is designed for women in midlife, including perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause. If you want to come your welcome independ of your age.
Is this a weight-loss program?RISE is not another diet?
It focuses on understanding your changing body and supporting energy, metabolism, inflammation, muscle function, gut health and long-term wellbeing.
What if I can't make it to a session.
Face-to-face sessions aren't recorded, so sorry if you miss out, but you do have the workbooks, etc. The online content is available anytime for onlne or face to face particpants.
Will I be told exactly what to eat?
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No, I am not that sort of dietitian, sorry. I give you guidelines and then you go away and see what worked for you, how it felt in your body and then we adapt. There won't be alot of time for personalisation due to the nature of the groups, but participants often pick up ideas and learn more and get inspired by others.
Instead of a meal plan, you get a module that includes how to prep and plan meals when you're fatigued, brain-fogged, and sick of doing everything for your family.
You practical nutrition strategies, examples, and tools, but the focus is on building a realistic approach that suits your life, preferences, and health needs. I want to work our what you DON'T need to be do as much as the simple swaps you could make.
I am outside Australia — can I do the online program?
Yes. All prices are in Australian dollars. If you cannot attend live, you can access the recordings. Please note that participants outside Australia and outside the Murrumbidgee are not eligible for scholarship places.
Meet Amanda - The Program Lead
I'm Amanda Mannes, an Accredited Practising Dietitian, Certified Menopause Coaching Specialist and Wellness Coach with more than 20 years of clinical experience.
Throughout my career, I've worked with women experiencing chronic disease, inflammation, digestive disorders and complex health conditions.
What became increasingly clear was how many women were struggling through perimenopause without understanding why their bodies had changed. I knew myself that biology changes the rules much more rapidly than I ever considered possible, due to juggling a number of chronic health conditions, and that support needs to be accessible and realistic.
RISE combines my lived and clinical knowledge and experience in nutrition, inflammation, behaviour change and women's health into a practical program that helps women replace confusion with confidence.
My goal isn't to overwhelm you with information.
I am there to help you understand your body well enough to make meaningful, lasting changes.
Community Partners
RISE pilot program was supported by organisations committed to improving the health and wellbeing of rural women.
Current partners include:
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Murrumbidgee Council - Community Grants
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Country Women's Association – Coleambally Argoon Branch
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Origin Energy = Community Assess Scholarship has funded 30 more places under the Yanco Delta Community Scholarship
Their support helps reduce financial barriers so more local women can access evidence-based education and support during midlife.
RISE at a Glance
After testing the program, I have made changes to better support YOU!
Who it’s for: Women from their mid-30s onwards who want practical support through perimenopause, menopause or post-menopause
Duration: 6 x sessions
Format: Small-group coaching with live learning, practical activities, and discussion
Online course with videos and MPs, plus written content for each module, so you can consume the content based on your preferred learning style and needs. This means the live session focuses on what matters most, helps you work out what matters to you, and supports you in making change.
Specialist content delivered by Menopause Specialist GP, Dr Julia Spice from Ally Health
Specialist clinical content delivered by Claire Lawson - Pelvic Floor Physio.
Comprehensive workbook and self-coaching workbooks.
BONUSES: include:
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Recipes
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Tapping scripts
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Strength training plans
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Self-coaching workbook
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And much more
PRICE: $797 (from Jan 2027)
(If you are based in the Murrumbidgee Area and would like to access a scholarship place to access the course at a heavily discounted rate thanks to Origin and Yanco Delta Community Grants, please complete the EOI below and email rise@accept-health.com to let me know why the program will benefit you.
Next six-week live intake: 2nd week in FEB for both online groups and face-to-face groups in Coleambally.
. Join the EOI list to stay updated - you will be contacted first to be offered a place. Online groups are limited to 8 people to build a small-group community.