From Pixels to Playtime: Leonie Collis’s High-Energy Journey in the ACT

There is a specific kind of soul-crushing fatigue that comes from sitting behind a computer screen for forty hours a week, chasing deadlines for corporate projects that, let’s be honest, nobody is actually going to remember by next Tuesday. For Leonie Collis, a former Graphic Designer, that was life. It was a world of pixels, politics, and expectations that felt increasingly meaningless, especially while she was trying to keep up with two of the most active toddlers on the planet.

Fast forward to today, and Leonie’s "office" looks a lot different. Instead of flickering monitors, there is colourful sports equipment of all shapes and sizes. Instead of corporate jargon, there are kids shouting that they want to be "carrots" for a warm-up drill. And instead of feeling drained, Leonie is ending her workdays full of endorphins and belly-laughing until it hurts.

This is the story of how Leonie Collis went from a stressed-out designer to the powerhouse owner of Ready Steady Go Kids in the ACT, proving that sometimes, the best career move you can make is the one that gets you moving.

The Search for the "Perfect" Program

Every parent knows the struggle of trying to tire out a high-energy child. But Leonie wasn’t just dealing with high energy; she had what she calls "gross-motor specialists." Her two powerhouse toddlers wouldn't stop, and Leonie was finding it nearly impossible to keep up.

"The endless activity they seemed to require was intense," Leonie remembers. "I decided to enrol them into something, once a week. I wanted to give myself a break from having to think of activities for us, but I also wanted to give one of our days a different structure in a different environment."

She had a checklist for what she wanted. It had to be active, it had to be engaging, and most importantly, it had to be fun. She tried a few different programs, but they all missed the mark. Some didn’t allow parents to get involved, and Leonie hated seeing parents glued to their phones on the sidelines, providing a terrible model for an active lifestyle. Others involved way too much queuing and waiting around.

"I figured there's enough wait-time in life. They have plenty of opportunity to learn that," she says. "I wanted these kids going hard and tuckered out for the day."

After another round of searching, she hit the "Enrol Now" button on the Ready Steady Go Kids website. But instead of a class list, a message popped up: No classes available in your area – franchise available.

In that moment, a lightbulb went off. She tapped the link, sent an enquiry, and her journey from pixels to playtime officially began.

Leaving the Corporate Grind Behind

The decision to leap into franchise ownership wasn’t just about sports; it was about reclaiming her life. Her corporate career was "driving her into the ground." The politics and the meaningless deadlines were taking a toll, and as a new mum, she was desperate for something that offered flexibility and a real sense of purpose.

"I really wanted to get away from the office," Leonie explains. "I didn't want to be chained to that computer anymore. I wanted to make choices about my hours. And, most importantly, I wanted to pick my kids up from school each day and spend the holidays with them."

Owning an RSGK franchise provided exactly that. It offered a way to build a business that worked for her family, rather than a family life that had to be squeezed into the gaps of a 9-to-5 job.

Managing the ACT: A Superstar at Work

Taking on the entire Australian Capital Territory is no small feat. Leonie describes being in the ACT as a bit like living on a "franchisee desert island," where she has to work a bit harder to make connections with the wider network. But despite the distance, she has turned the region into a thriving hub of activity and joy.

Our Franchisor, Danie O'Connor, couldn't be more impressed with what Leonie has achieved.

"Leonie is an absolute superstar," says Danie. "Managing the entire ACT state on her own is a huge accomplishment! Leonie's infectious personality creates such a warm and fun environment for the kids and parents. Member feedback in the ACT is at an all-time high right now, with parents saying it’s the most fun their child has ever had in an activity before starting school."

That feedback is a testament to the high-energy, non-stop atmosphere Leonie and her coaches bring to every session. She isn't just a business owner; she's a leader who leads with a laugh.

"Two Heads" and Bullet Trains: The Magic Moments

When you ask Leonie what she loves most about her job, she doesn't talk about spreadsheets or growth margins. She talks about the kids. Specifically, she talks about the pure, unadulterated comedy that comes with working with toddlers and preschoolers.

"I laugh every single day at my workplace, proper belly-laughing," she says. "Often, people hug me at my workplace. Every day, there's a massive celebration of some sort, someone hits, catches, or kicks a ball for the first time, or is the best aeroplane they've ever been."

The creativity of the kids is endless. Leonie recalls moments where children suggested they should all be "Shinkansen" (Japanese bullet trains) for a warm-up drill, while others insisted the group should all pretend to be carrots. Then there’s the classic toddler humour, like the child who placed a soccer ball on their shoulder and shouted, "Hey look at me! I've got two heads!"

Beyond the laughs, there is the profound impact on development. Leonie sees children who start with a total lack of confidence and leave for school a few years later with a quiet, solid understanding of what they are capable of. She sees the high-energy kids find their finesse and the shy kids eventually join in the group "welcome song" after weeks of watching from the safety of the sidelines.

The RSGK Difference: No Wait-Time, Just Play

Having tried other programs as a parent, Leonie is a firm believer in what makes Ready Steady Go Kids stand out: the variety and the pace. There’s a distinct lack of "wait-time" in her classes. The kids are kept moving, kept engaged, and kept excited. It’s a philosophy that ensures every child leaves "tuckered out," just as Leonie wanted for her own powerhouse toddlers.

She also values the support system that allows her to focus on the fun. "Having the Head Office take care of the website, call centre, and national marketing is a massive one-less-thing for me," she notes. This support allows her to be present in the moment with the families in the ACT.

Advice for Future Franchisees

Leonie is honest about the reality of small business ownership. It isn't for the faint-hearted, and it requires a specific set of skills.

"Do you have the time and patience to see you through the first few years as it grows? Is your time and attitude super flexible? Do you get a buzz out of massively varied challenges? Do you have an overabundance of energy?" she asks. "And of course, do you love being in the company of little kids?"

If the answer is yes, then the rewards are unparalleled. For Leonie, it has turned her life around. She spent her kids' childhoods present for afternoon teas and school holidays, going on active adventures across south-eastern Australia. It’s a level of job satisfaction she says no salaried work could ever offer.

Orange Apartments and Vibrant Ceilings

Outside of the courts, Leonie is exactly as you would expect: optimistic, social, and possessed of a "childlike energy" that makes her the life of any party. She loves loud music, mountain biking, dancing, and adventures.

She’s a firm believer in the philosophy of Alan Watts, who said that life is a musical thing, and you're supposed to sing and dance while the music is playing. Leonie doesn't just believe it; she lives it. Her apartment is painted bright orange, and she even has vibrant wallpaper on the ceiling: a perfect reflection of a woman whose glass is always half full.

From the corporate pixel-grind to the high-energy courts of the ACT, Leonie Collis has found her rhythm. She’s teaching the next generation that being active isn't just a "task": it's the most fun you can have before the school bell rings.

If you’re in the ACT and looking for a program that will have your kids laughing, moving, and maybe even pretending to be a carrot, Leonie and her team are waiting for you. Come and see why the feedback in the ACT is at an all-time high!