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Meet Our Judges
"Empowering women to stay active during pregnancy is not just about health;
it's about igniting a journey of strength, resilience, and transformation that
benefits mother and baby for years to come."
Sophie Power
Ultra Runner & Mother Athlete
Born Barikor
Born Barikor is the visionary Founder and CEO of Our Parks, a pioneering initiative that provides free group exercise in parks and outdoor spaces, alongside live-streamed sessions online. Working in partnership with local authorities and public health campaigns, Our Parks has transformed access to fitness for thousands of people across the UK.
Born is also the creator of the hugely successful Couch to Fitness programme—an ondemand, online fitness initiative championed by the NHS Better Health campaign.
Beyond his entrepreneurial success, Born has built an impressive Non-Executive Director (NED) career, holding key positions with organisations including the Lawn Tennis
Association (LTA), Active Surrey, the British Olympic Foundation, and Basketball England.
He currently serves as Chair of Breaking GB,
the governing body for breakdancing in Great Britain.
Lt.Col. Elaine Walker
An Army GP and current Senior Medical Officer for the 1st UK Division Elaine has been the volunteer lead for the Defence GP Specialist Interest Group for women’s health since 2016.
The team are focused on improving the standard of care for women’s health matters across Defence which is done through education of Servicewomen, healthcare professionals and line managers and by influencing and writing Defence policies.
Previous projects Elaine has led on include the introduction of women’s health physiotherapy to Defence; the introduction of the pre and post-natal physical training instructor course to the 3 Services to reduce MSK injury post-natally; contribution to the breastfeeding, menopause and miscarriage policies and the delivery of the 18 monthly Defence Women’s Health Conference.
Current projects include supporting the development of a unified maternity pathway for Defence personnel and their families; a health needs analysis of the perinatal mental health requirements for Servicewomen to inform commissioning; research in to the prevalence and causative factors of incontinence in Servicewomen; and a project with NHS Health and Justice in NE England working together to improve the management of disclosures of Sexual Offences within Defence.
Elaine was shortlisted for our Woman of the Year Award
at the APF Awards 2023.
Dr Dane Vishnubala
Dr. Dane Vishnubala is a leading expert in sport and exercise medicine, public health, and medical education. As a highly respected Consultant in Sport and Exercise Medicine, he has dedicated his career to promoting physical activity as a cornerstone of health and wellbeing.
With a background spanning elite sport, clinical practice, and academia, Dr. Vishnubala has worked with national governing bodies, professional sports teams, and public health organisations to drive evidence-based approaches to physical activity and health promotion. His expertise includes injury prevention, rehabilitation, and the integration of exercise into healthcare pathways.
Beyond his clinical work, Dr. Vishnubala is a passionate educator, shaping the next generation of healthcare professionals through his work in medical education and training. He is a sought-after speaker and advisor, regularly contributing to national policy discussions on physical activity and preventive healthcare.
Committed to bridging the gap between medicine and movement, he advocates for innovative strategies that empower individuals and communities to lead healthier, more active lives.
Dane is also a member of our Scientific Advisory Board
Kate Peers
Kate Peers is a strategic campaigns specialist with a passion for driving positive change through sport and physical activity. As the Head of Campaigns, Strategic Lead at Sport England, she plays a pivotal role in shaping and delivering national behaviour change campaigns that inspire communities to be more active, including the ground breaking “This Girl Can” campaign.
With a strong background in marketing, communications, and behaviour change initiatives, Kate has led impactful campaigns that challenge barriers to participation and promote inclusivity. She is a champion of insight-led strategies, ensuring that Sport England’s messaging resonates with diverse audiences and supports the organisation’s mission to tackle inequalities
in sport and physical activity.
Committed to collaboration, Kate works closely with partners across government, commercial organisations, and the sports sector to amplify the reach and impact of Sport England’s work.
Her passion for being active, combined with her strategic mindset and creativity, makes her a driving force behind campaigns that empower people of all backgrounds to lead active healthy lives.
Sophie Power
Sophie is the Founder of SheRACES, an organisation promoting inclusivity for women in sport. SheRACES was founded after a picture of Sophie breastfeeding her 3 month old baby during a 106 mile race went viral around the world. Sophie is also a GB ultrarunner holding multiple world records, most recently the furthest distance covered in 48 hours on the treadmill.
Sophie won our Mother Athlete Award
& Women of the Year Award at the APF Awards 2023
Press
If you're a member of the press, and you'd like to interview one of our judges, or find out more about The Active Pregnancy Foundation Awards 2025, please CONTACT US