Growth. Development. Performance.

More about Sheena Polese

FitMind Coaching was founded by Sheena Polese, a passionately altruistic, well-qualified coach and experienced leader, manager, non-executive director.

With qualifications including an MBA from Macquarie Graduate School and a Master of Science, Psychology of Coaching, from The University of Sydney and extensive life experience, Sheena serves as a qualified sounding board for “what’s next and whats best for me” both personally and professionally.

Sheena’s time and experience in the corporate and for purpose sector highlighted the broad need for effective leadership training in all areas. Leaders are struggling with volatility, uncertainty and continuous change and how they maximise their resources and talent will depend on the behaviours they display, their strategic vision and their capacity for interpersonal skills.

"I’m in the business of bringing out the best in professionals by helping them get to the core of what really matters".

I believe it’s leaders who predominantly shape an organisation and that authentic leadership can drive the best results for positive change, effectiveness and overall success.

As the founding Director of FitMind Coaching, I bring decades of leadership and strategic planning to my coaching practice and understand what it takes to achieve success and sustainability in an organisation. Using an evidence-based and solution-focused approach, I combine my educational qualifications (Master of Science in Psychology of Coaching with an MBA) and more than 25 years of experience in corporate affairs, communications and sustainability to help develop effective behaviours and expand on ‘what’s possible’.

Along with leadership coaching, I’m a proud advocate of the Not For Profit (NFP) sector and have had the privilege to work with many organisations and individuals including Weave Youth & Community Services, the Can Too Foundation, 1 Million Women, the Australian Businesswomen’s Network, and The Ethics Centre, to name a few. As NFP is close to my heart, FitMind also has a social enterprise arm to the practice, providing pro bono coaching to select organisations.

"I help leaders, teams and organisations develop authentic leadership for sustainable success".


Fitmind Coaching adopts the ICF ethical guidelines for coaching practice
  • James Farrell, Board Member
    "Sheena has the ability to listen, ask the right questions, and give space to reflect, at the same time as building rapport - a rare combination, especially when considering the complexities of adolescent developmental coaching and adventure education. Sheena is an explorer with a natural affinity for leading and coaching teens in the outdoors. It was a real pleasure to co-coach with Sheena on The Helmsman Project Outward Bound adventure."  
    James Farrell, Board Member
    The Helmsman Project
  • Siobhan Bryson, Operations Manager
    "Sheena generously volunteered her time and coaching skills pro bono to our Weave clients. Feedback from clients was overwhelmingly positive.
    One young man with long-term mental health issues said the sessions with Sheena had boosted his confidence and made him realise that he has lots to offer an employer. He reported feeling much clearer about his career goals and how to use his strengths in the workplace. Prior to his coaching sessions with Sheena he had felt unfocused and overwhelmed at the prospect of entering the workforce but he now feels energised, positive and focused. He really enjoyed the sessions and got a lot out of it".
    Siobhan Bryson, Operations Manager
    Weave Youth & Community Services
  • Becky
    I sought FitMind Coaching because I needed assistance to clarify and re-establish my personal goals. Sheena helped me to identify and recognise patterns of behaviour and long-held belief systems that were not in line with my current aspirations and objectives. Becoming aware of these old patterns enabled me to question then let go of anything that no longer served me. I am now free to create new objectives. By taking time to reflect, I now have the skills to recognise old habits and ensure that the steps I take are in line with my life’s goals. I feel happier and more focused. 
    Becky
    of Melbourne
  • "Sheena has no difficulty asking the hard questions to make a person think about their situation.  Sheena works to help the group understand the complexities and identify any hidden agendas.   Sheena is skilled in endeavouring to seek out the best qualities a candidate has to offer and help them channel their energies"
  • "Sheena is passionate, authentic and driven.   A strong team player.  She is focused on having a meaningful impact and getting results and importantly doing so with integrity and in the right way".
  • "I now manage a team of 25, a 60% growth and I needed help. I did the psychometric testing. I needed to know what my strengths and weaknesses were to help me become a better leader. Knowing what the effective leadership traits are to drive peak performance, has enabled me to know what I needed to change. No boss in my entire career has ever articulated these to me in the same way Sheena did. During the debrief, Sheena provided me constructive action plans that are now helping me achieve my goals to become a more effective leader. Thank you, Sheena of FitMind!"
  • "I engaged Sheena for a number of coaching sessions in order to help my transition into the Head of Marketing role within the organisation. Coaching has helped me with both my technical and psychological leadership skills, with a particular focus on creating a vision for my leadership and thereby a blueprint for success in my first year.   I am better able to relate to team members, through a collaborative approach and subsequently an empowering and supportive environment for the predominantly female cohort. Trust has grown immensely and I can see team members are much more engaged and subsequently productive, as they too experience success"
Fitmind