Bringing movement, connection and heart to rural health.
When registered nurse Hannah Mickan moved from Adelaide to the Eyre Peninsula 15 years ago, she assumed it would be a one-year stint. “I always loved the EP as a child. We had our annual holiday to Coffin Bay and Port Lincoln where the love and wonderful memories started, and who wouldn’t want to work in Port Lincoln?” But life had other plans. Hannah met Tysan Mickan, a local farmer, and now they’re a family raising their three kids. They run their generational mixed farming enterprise and a growing business that’s changing lives in their rural town. And it’s that business — Soul Health Studio —that’s quickly become something really special.
A 24/7 gym and wellness hub, it offers everything from a full range of cardio machines, a huge collection of pin and weight-loaded machines, as well as Reformer Pilates for everyone from complete beginners to seasoned pros. More than a gym, Soul Health Studio takes a holistic approach to health. Alongside services like remedial massage, naturopathy, holistic counselling, and kinesiology, there’s also a fridge and freezer stocked with healthy food options and bunches of fresh flowers ready to grab as you leave. “Ultimately, I just wanted a healthy place where people could move their bodies and help their minds,” Hannah says. “Fitness has changed so much in the last ten years. It’s not about being skinny anymore — it’s about nourishment, about moving for your soul — and that’s the meaning behind our name.”
Kicking off
The idea for Soul had been bubbling away for a while, but it was a chat with a friend about her daughter’s mental health that gave Hannah the push to create a positive outlet for her community. From there, it all came together fast. The Mickans brainstormed a location, sourced equipment, designed the space, and launched right in time for Men’s Mental Health Week. “It was chaotic,” Hannah laughs. “We had deliveries arriving four days before opening. But it all just fell into place. My cousin owns gyms in Adelaide, and he was invaluable — helping us with the equipment, systems, software,and everything in between. ”Even the building has a story. “It’s actually owned by Tysan’s nan, Janette,” Hannah explains. “She and his grandpa were the first to bring a chemical company to Cummins — and Tysan’s uncle Matt, continued the business, which has just relocated, so the space already holds a really special story within our family.”
The more, the merrier
Step inside Soul and you’ll find reformers with guided workouts, cardio machines that take you anywhere from Tuscany to Tokyo, and a gym that’s bright, open and welcoming — and it only costs $20 a week. “I wanted it to feel inviting, not intimidating,” Hannah says. “Our hope is that every demographic in Cummins, and beyond, feels comfortable here. And we make sure people know how to use all the equipment correctly. We have a personal trainer offering sessions, as I don’t want anyone to feel overwhelmed and just stick to the treadmill because that’s what they know.” A counsellor, a remedial massage therapist, a barber, and a personal trainer have all moved in too, offering a broad range of skills and services to customers. At the studio entrance, The Feed Lot keeps the fridge stocked with healthy meals and snacks, and Blossoms EP adds the fresh flowers for sale — the whole place hums with connection. “Along with Personal Trainer Hayley Fitzgerald, we have also been able to run free classes thanks to grants from Mentally Fit EP and Our Town Cummins. The support has been amazing,” Hannah says. “One day, I said to Tysan that the laughter coming from here was so beautiful, and then people were heading off for a coffee together. That’s the kind of happiness that really fills your cup.”
Healthy body, healthy mind
For Hannah, Soul is more than a gym — it’s a mental health initiative wrapped in activewear. And what started as a local dream might soon expand —already, two other towns have reached out asking for help to create their own version of Soul. “Right now, we’re staying in the moment and loving what Soul is bringing to our community. But how cool would it be to see other communities thrive from something like this, too?” Hannah says.
Just the beginning
With their farm just 10km out of town, life is full — but Hannah and Tysan wouldn’t have it any other way. So, what’s next? “I feel really proud of what we’ve already created and the feedback we’ve had. Hearing that Soul is giving so many people a ‘new lease on life’ has been incredible — and if that continues, it would be everything I could hope for. We also have the capacity to welcome more allied health providers or other businesses into Soul through our room rentals. Ultimately, seeing other businesses come into our community and grow alongside us has been the icing on the cake.” It’s all based on a powerfully simple mission: movement, nourishment, connection.
“It’s all about your soul,” Hannah says. “That’s really the heart of it all.”
@soulhealthstudio
