About Wonder Walkers
You have probably heard of Susan Devoy … one of the two original Wonder Walkers. Browse these pages to meet the rest of the team, catch Susan’s Wonder Walkers Wisdom, find out how Wonder Walkers got here or get in touch with us.
All great ideas start somewhere – even if the origins are a bit hazy under the effects of middle age and/or wine!
Wonder Walkers has emerged from a friendship – shared beliefs and a whole heap of ‘fingers crossed’.
We want Wonder Walkers to become every woman’s home page. Millions of women mobilised to join a Swinging Sisterhood of health and hilarity.
Susan: Our lives couldn’t be more different, so our friendship and business relationship is unique. I have four children, a husband, a dog and a cat. Paula has a partner, dogs, 3 cats – and Flip and Flop the goldfish.
Paula (recalling their first meeting): I was terrified at the thought of being introduced to NZ’s greatest sportswoman – I wore my biggest jersey to hide the fatal flaws of middle age. Her first words to me were ‘So you’re scabbing for work’ … I also recall her giving me some direct advice on what I could do with my size 16 body to get in shape.
Susan: We met five years ago when I moved to Tauranga to become CEO for Sport Bay of Plenty (a regional sports trust). I had enjoyed a successful sporting career (and similar success in the breeding stakes), but this was daunting. I was relieved when Paula happened by. She had been Tauranga City Council CEO and was then doing consultancy work.
Paula: That chance meeting changed our lives. During difficult times at work we would escape to the local estuary for a walk, and on these hilarious outings, as I reluctantly trudged through mudflats or along some out-of-the-way track, we would solve all the problems of the world. We often debated the government’s ideas for getting more people active, and whilst we applauded some of the initiatives, we had some ideas of our own.
Susan: After many walks, many wines, lots of laughs – and convincing our partners and fiscal fuhrers to part with the family silver – Wonder Walkers was conceived.
We have learned a lot, and exchanged ideas on an array of topics – motherhood, doghood, being a sporting icon (more of a monologue than a dialogue on this subject), the do’s and don’ts of management and governance, and much, much more.
We are really keen to talk with your group / organisation on matters that we have some experience in. If you would like to talk with us about us talking with you then please contact us at info@wonderwalkers.co.nz