About the author

Hello, health and fitness professionals! Welcome to Fitness Industry Risk Management Consulting (FIRMC). My name is Dr Betul Sekendiz and I am very excited to have the opportunity to share my expertise in risk management with you through this website.

I understand you may be wondering why I am so passionate about risk management in the health and fitness industry. My love for fitness and strength training evolved as I discovered bodybuilding when I was a teenager. I spent many long hours in the gyms not only training myself and preparing for contests, but educating my clients on the importance of proper technique and safety practices. Equipped with a Master`s in Physical Education and Sports with a focus on sport management and the fitness industry in Turkey, I decided to make a move to Australia in 2008 to pursue my studies in this field. I obtained my PhD in Sport Management from Bond University on the Gold Coast in 2012, specialising in risk management and minimisation of legal liability issues in the Australian health and fitness industry. My doctoral research was influential in leading a nationwide research project funded by the Australian Research Council and partner organisations Fitness Australia and Sports Medicine Australia. The AFIRM Project (LP120100275) has been since then shaping the way the Australian fitness industry manages risks as a part of the Exercise Safe initiative of Fitness Australia.

Since 2012 I have published and presented more than 40 research studies into risk management in the health and fitness industry in the areas of work health and safety, human factors, emergency preparedness and legal liability issues. My feature publications in the ACSM`s Health and Fitness Journal offered Continuing Education Course (CEC) quizzes that have been completed by thousands of fitness professionals worldwide. The Australian Fitness Industry Risk Management Manual that I co-authored in 2014 with the AFIRM Project team members today remains to be the leading resource of information for the fitness professionals. I provide independent technical advise to Fitness Australia and their stakeholders through my memberships on the Australian Fitness Industry Standards Council and the Fitness Industry Risk Management Committee.

Thank you for visiting FIRMC. Please don`t hesitate to contact me to discuss and find solutions for the risk management needs of your health and fitness business.

Cheers,

Betul