Simone Read is a passionate advocate for education, mental health, and helping individuals unlock their potential. With nearly 30 years of experience across Defence, fitness, and mental health advocacy, Simone’s career is defined by her dedication to fostering personal growth, resilience, and well-being in individuals and communities.
As a veteran, Simone specialises in leadership coaching, mental health workshops, and public speaking, focusing on supporting veterans and their families. Her contributions to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) recovery are central to her work as a founding board member of FearLess.org.au, a non-profit dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by PTSD. Through FearLess, she has led community-driven initiatives to raise awareness and foster recovery.
In 2022, Simone represented Australia at the World Surf Life Saving Championships and later served as the Invictus Australia Surf Life Saving World Championship Manager in 2024, where she used sport to build connections and support the veteran community. Her passion for sport extends to her role as the former Director of Junior Triathlon, where she focused on youth development.
Simone’s entrepreneurial spirit led her to found and manage Summit Fitness Studio, where she pioneered innovative, holistic fitness programs that redefined how people approached health and well-being. She is also an experienced VET Facilitator, tailoring training programs to diverse organisational needs and helping individuals and teams discover their strengths and achieve their goals. Her notable achievements include conquering the Kokoda Trail, summiting Mt Aspiring and Mt Cook, and completing multiple Ironman Australia competitions. Simone has been recognised globally for her contributions to fitness and community well-being, including being named one of the Top 10 Global Personal Trainers in 2013 and receiving the IWIB Outstanding Commitment to the Community Award in 2015 and 2016.
With a Bachelor of Adult and Vocational Education and a Master of Social Work (in progress), Simone is committed to empowering individuals and communities through education, mental health advocacy, and physical fitness.
