Leading With Gratitude: Empowering Women from the Inside Out
- Dec 30, 2025
- 3 min read
By Antonia (Toni) Wiltjer
In a world that often celebrates hustle over heart, Toni Wiltjer, founder of The Shed Body Transformation, has built her business on a belief that genuine appreciation - of people, progress, and purpose - creates not only stronger bodies, but stronger women.
At The Shed, Toni helps high-achieving women fast-track their health and fitness goals through premium programs that combine strength training, nutrition, and mindset coaching. But beyond the weights and meal plans, gratitude and empowerment form the foundation of her leadership and her brand.
When she first began coaching, Toni’s focus was on results - numbers, performance, and measurable outcomes. As her business evolved, however, she recognised that true transformation went much deeper. “What inspired the greatest change wasn’t just the physical progress,” she says. “It was the connection, the confidence, and the appreciation women began to feel for themselves and their journey.”
This realisation reshaped not only her approach to coaching but also her philosophy as a leader. Gratitude became an essential thread woven through every aspect of The Shed - from the way she celebrates clients’ milestones to the genuine relationships she builds with each woman who walks through the door.
Toni leads from a place of empowerment, genuine support, and passion. Her excitement for her clients’ success is contagious. Every transformation - physical, mental, or emotional - is acknowledged and celebrated, because she understands that these moments of appreciation are what fuel long-term change. “Gratitude in leadership isn’t just about saying thank you,” she explains. “It’s about showing people they matter - seeing the human being behind the goal, and making sure their courage and commitment are recognised.”
This philosophy has cultivated something rare and powerful: a thriving, loyal community of women who uplift one another both inside and outside the gym. The Shed has become more than a place to train; it’s a sanctuary where women rediscover their strength, build confidence, and learn that they are capable of far more than they imagined.
That sense of gratitude flows both ways.
Toni’s clients often express deep appreciation not only for the results they achieve but for the environment she’s created - one that balances accountability with compassion. The result is a culture of trust, empowerment, and belonging.
Her gratitude-led leadership has produced tangible results: exceptionally high client retention, a strong community spirit, and even a waitlist of women eager to join. Yet for Toni, the most meaningful outcome is watching women transform their self-belief. “Seeing someone walk taller, speak kinder to herself, and truly own her power - that’s everything,” she says.
Looking ahead, Toni hopes to extend her gratitude-driven leadership beyond her current role by mentoring other fitness professionals who share her genuine passion for coaching and empowering women. “Mentoring is something I aspire to,” she shares. “There are so many talented trainers out there who care deeply about helping women, and I’d love to help them grow with the same values that built The Shed.”
For Toni, gratitude is more than a mindset - it’s an energy that shapes how she leads, connects, and creates impact. It has become her compass, guiding both her business and her broader mission to help women thrive.
“At The Shed, gratitude isn’t just a value - it’s our heartbeat,” Toni says. “It’s what fuels our community, our results, and our growth. And as we continue to evolve, I remain deeply thankful - for every woman who has trusted me, every story shared, and every moment of transformation we’ve created together.”
Connect With Toni
@theshed_albury.com
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