Our Team

We believe in a diverse range of personnel who not only bring expert Exercise Physiology programming to the table but creative skills, thoughts and ideas as well.

Adam Betteridge

Tauranga NZ
Alicia Edwards

Account Manager, Life Ins.
Ashley Saunders

West Auckland
Bonel Obradovic

Melbourne
Brad Domek

Director
Brad McGregor

Brisbane Inner & Nth Metro
Brandon Lee

Melbourne
Brandon Woolley

Wellington
Caitlin Milne

Tasman-Malborough
Cara Leyten

Palmerston North
Carmyn Barnes

Christchurch / NZ Acct Mgr
Cathy Barakat

Administration
Chantelle Wardini

North West Sydney
Crystal Stavris

Executive Assistant
Daniel Logan

East Brisbane, CBD, Redland
Eric Suh

North West Sydney
Esteban Pizarro Hunter

Brisbane
Gavin Tu

Western Sydney
Georgina Risk

South & SW Sydney
Jacinta Chalhoub

Inner & South West Sydney
Jack Philp

Sth W Sydney & Wollongong
Jonathan Lai

West & SW Sydney
Kane Nadasdy

Brisbane
Kim Ma Dulla

Administration
Loren Colina

Administration
Lyn Woodward

North Sydney
Madison Mitchell

Melbourne
Mae Heard-Pennel

Head of Learning and Dev.
Mark Watson

South West & Sydney
Melissa Mills

Administration
Nikolas Nguy

Perth
Nina Brandt-Sandral

Mackay
Rachel Sullivan

Christchurch
Rebecca Coleman

Perth - South
Riley Tran

Inner West Sydney
Ryan Free

Melbourne
Ryu Nightingale

Auckland
Shara Kinney

South / North West Sydney
Simon Cheng

West & North West Sydney
Stephanie Ho

Gold Coast
Tessa Nielsen

New Plymouth
Tessa Thurston

Adelaide
Yolanda van Vugt

Marketing Coordinator

Adam Betteridge

Tauranga NZ

Adam completed a Master of Health Science through Massey University in 2020, specialising in Sport and Exercise (athletic conditioning). His dissertation was originally set to investigate the effects of tapering for amateur mixed martial arts competitions; however, due to COVID-19 lockdowns, he re-focused on other research interests, in which he investigated the effects of deadlifting with ammonia (smelling salts) inhalation under mental fatigue.

Following this, Adam was awarded a scholarship to complete his Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Exercise Physiology at the Waikato Institute of Technology, completing this in 2021.

Adam has worked in the fitness industry since 2012, after graduating as a Personal Trainer and has over 12 years’ experience working with a diverse population of clients, including high-performing athletes and those with chronic conditions such as lower back pain, heart disease, musculoskeletal injuries and neurological disorders. Adam has a special interest in exercise for low back pain and metabolic syndrome.

Adam is a qualified butcher, having completed his apprenticeship in 2004 and has over 15 years’ experience, underpinning the physical demands of heavy and repetitive work for those looking to re-enter the workforce.

Adam enjoys anything outdoors / water sports, running, swimming, jiu jitsu and hiking in his spare time.

Alicia Edwards

Account Manager, Life Ins.

With over 15 years of experience in Occupational Rehabilitation and Life Insurance, Alicia has dedicated her career to helping individuals regain their health, independence, and ability to return to work. She specialises in guiding claimants through the rehabilitation process while ensuring a seamless experience for both them and the health professionals supporting their journey, including life insurance claims managers and rehabilitation consultants.

Alicia understands the challenges all stakeholders face in managing claims efficiently while ensuring customers achieve their ideal outcomes. She plays a key role in bridging the gap—providing proactive communication, strategic insights, and tailored rehabilitation solutions that help streamline the claims process. By anticipating potential barriers and keeping all stakeholders aligned, she helps reduce delays, improve recovery outcomes, and enhance the overall claims experience.

At Specialised Health, Alicia and her team go beyond providing rehabilitation services—they partner with insurers to create better, more efficient pathways to recovery. With a focus on clear communication and outcome-driven strategies, she ensures that exercise rehabilitation programmes benefit everyone involved.

Ashley Saunders

West Auckland

Ashley is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist with a Master’s degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology from the University of Auckland. She has experience supporting clients across a wide range of conditions, including cardiovascular, metabolic, musculoskeletal, neurological, and cancer-related concerns. Her clinical approach is centred on personalised, evidence-based exercise programs that aim to restore physical function, build confidence, and enhance overall quality of life.

Ashley is passionate about making movement accessible and enjoyable for everyone. Whether she’s working in a clinical setting or coaching at BFT, she is known for her encouraging, adaptable style—tailoring exercises to suit each individual’s abilities, goals, and preferences.

Outside of work, Ashley stays active through her own training and participation in sports like squash and netball. She thrives on building both physical strength and community through movement, and balances her professional life with quality time spent with family and friends.

Bonel Obradovic

Melbourne

Bonel brings warmth, experience, and a client-first approach to every session. With a background spanning both physical rehabilitation and mental health, he is passionate about supporting people to build independence, confidence, and improved quality of life. His focus on strong therapeutic relationships ensures that each client feels supported and empowered throughout their rehabilitation journey. With extensive experience within compensable schemes and life insurance, he is driven to get positive outcomes and making a difference.

Outside of work, Bonel enjoys staying active through soccer and golf, and values spending quality time with his kids.

Brad Domek

Director

Director – Northern Sydney

As an EP with 16 years experience in occupational rehabilitation Brad has worked within all major compensable schemes in Australia and New Zealand. Brad has been a Guest Lecturer at ACU, has presented to Insurers and Re-Insurers in both Australia and NZ on topics such as Exercise Physiology in Occupational Rehab, using EP to assist customers with Mental Health, Fatigue and Cancer as well as Exercise Physiology in the Life Insurance Industry. With a clinical background as well as long history working as an Occupational Rehabilitation Provider, he has developed a blend of experience in both the treatment and occupational settings which has now become the foundation of all work provided by the EPs at Specialised Health.

Brad McGregor

Brisbane Inner & Nth Metro

Brad is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist who works with clients managing chronic health conditions, with a strong focus on using exercise as both a preventative and treatment tool. He has a particular interest in musculoskeletal rehabilitation, fatigue management, mental health, and supporting long-term lifestyle change.

Alongside his clinical work, Brad is involved in adult education and professional learning within the health, fitness, and sports performance sectors. He brings a thoughtful, evidence-based approach to both teaching and rehabilitation, combining scientific principles with strong emotional intelligence to support meaningful outcomes.

Brad is passionate about helping individuals build resilience, improve function, and develop sustainable habits that enhance their overall health and wellbeing.

Brandon Lee

Melbourne

Brandon is an Exercise Physiologist who is passionate about bringing both fun and education to rehabilitation and exercise. With experience across many medical and compensable schemes, Brandon has developed a strong understanding of a wide range of conditions and injuries. This breadth of experience allows Brandon to tailor programs that meet the unique goals and needs of each client, helping them achieve meaningful outcomes in their health and daily life.

Known for a supportive and engaging approach, Brandon enjoys working closely with clients to build confidence and motivation throughout their rehabilitation journey.

Outside of work, Brandon stays active by training at the gym, playing social soccer and keeping fit. A big sports fan, he can often be found on weekends supporting Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park.

Brandon Woolley

Wellington

Brandon completed a Master of Health Science degree at Massey University, Wellington in 2013, in which he investigated the effects of exercise on vascular health in Stroke survivors. Brandon continued to be heavily involved in various research projects and lectured in Exercise Physiology, Exercise Prescription and Sports Nutrition.

Brandon managed a stroke rehabilitation clinic at Massey University and has developed extensive knowledge of neurological disabilities in addition to his work with physically disabled and visually impaired clients.

Brandon is an avid mountain biker and surfer, who can often be found riding the many trails located around the Wellington region, or in the waters of Lyall Bay. He is also always keen to talk about cricket!

Caitlin Milne

Tasman-Malborough

Caitlin graduated from Otago University in 2016 with a Bachelor’s degree in Science, majoring in Exercise Physiology with honours. She has extensive experience working with patients with chronic health conditions and illnesses including cancer, mental health and musculoskeletal injuries.

Caitlin is a strong advocate of ‘knowledge is power’, Caitlin goes above and beyond to empower her clients and ensure they have a complete understanding of the what, why and how. She also has an in depth understanding of the role an engaging and integrative health model can have on the long term health outcomes for anyone.

Fun fact: She is a social butterfly who hates silence, 5 seconds of silence to Caitlin feels like 5 hours but she is working on it

Cara Leyten

Palmerston North

Cara has worked in the rehabilitation and physical training industry for the last six years, completing a Master’s in Health Science with Distinction along the way. She has predominantly specialised in musculoskeletal condititions – particularly chronic pain and injuries that have been deemed advanced or “tricky” to solve – and has also worked with a variety of other special populations from cardiovascular conditions through to high level sport performance.

Her passion for helping people with chronic and life changing conditions stems from her own chronic back injury that she sustained from a significant BMX crash thirteen years ago.

While she still enjoys riding bikes, Cara has a newfound love for hiking in the hills with her dogs. She is a social, positive, and active person who loves life and the people around her.

Carmyn Barnes

Christchurch / NZ Acct Mgr

Carmyn went to The University of Stellenbosch in South Africa and has worked as an Exercise Physiologist since 2015. Carmyn specialises in providing treatment for a range of chronic and orthopedic conditions with her favorites being cardiac, mental health as well as cancer rehabilitation where she has always included a wellness focus to her exercise programming.

Carmyn has a second passion for working with young children and studied a postgraduate degree in the gross motor development of children from a rehabilitation perspective.

Random fact: High-key obsessed with dogs, higher-key spider-itis, not yet acclimatised to NZ weather, can withstand copious amounts of caffeine.

Cathy Barakat

Administration

Cathy has been assisting in the WorkCover rehabilitation industry since 2009 and over the years she has developed a significant level of proficiency in rehabilitation administration. In her previous role, Cathy was the National Admin Manager, managing a large team. Since joining Specialised Health in 2019, Cathy has been able to transfer her knowledge to her team, while also learning and adapting her skills in the life insurance scheme. Cathy is well aware of the needs of all parties within the compensable schemes and has been a valuable asset to our administration team.

Chantelle Wardini

North West Sydney

Chantelle is a dual Accredited Exercise Physiologist and Dietitian who is passionate about helping people lead healthier, more balanced lives. She takes a practical and client-centred approach, focusing on simple, sustainable strategies that can be easily integrated into everyday routines. Chantelle has a particular interest in back health and mental health, supporting clients to improve both their physical wellbeing and overall quality of life through a combination of exercise and nutrition. Outside of work, Chantelle enjoys healthy cooking, spending time with her daughter, and dancing.

Crystal Stavris

Executive Assistant

Crystal has been assisting in the rehabilitation industry since 2009 and therefore over the years she has developed a significant level of proficiency in all areas of compensable rehabilitation administration. As a result of working with both worker’s compensation, work conditioning providers and life insurance-based rehabilitation providers Crystal has become acutely aware of the needs of all parties within the compensable schemes.

Daniel Logan

East Brisbane, CBD, Redland

Daniel has over 10 years experience as an exercise professional and specialises in the management of fatigue-based conditions and musculoskeletal injuries. Dan also has vast experience in the chronic pain, post-cancer recovery, and mental health spaces, in addition to working with elite and sub-elite athletes.

Dan is also a seasoned cycling road racing champion with wins throughout the Queensland circuit and was most recently crowned the 2022 Masters Criterium champion.

Eric Suh

North West Sydney

A firm believer of ‘Exercise is Medicine’, Eric has centred his education and qualifications on that which empowers people to manage their health through the therapeutic effects of exercise. He has completed his undergraduate Sport and Exercise Science degree and Postgraduate Diploma (cardiac rehab) in Auckland, New Zealand, and has moved across the ditch to pursue his career as an accredited exercise physiologist in Australia since 2015.

Since his move to Australia, he has applied his skills across various roles and schemes (including both clinical and Rehab Consultant roles) and has a special interest in management of chronic conditions, cardiac rehab, mental health and musculoskeletal injuries.

Eric has a holistic approach to people’s recovery, taking time to listen, educate and empower people to take active measures to better their health.

Esteban Pizarro Hunter

Brisbane

Esteban is a Clinical Exercise Physiologist who completed his Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT). He is dedicated to improving health, function, and quality of life through evidence-based and individualised exercise programs tailored to each person’s needs.

With a strong interest in chronic condition management and holistic rehabilitation, Esteban focuses on helping clients build long-term wellbeing, confidence, and capacity. His lifelong involvement in boxing has shaped his understanding of resilience, discipline, and the powerful role movement plays in both physical and mental health.

Outside of work, Esteban enjoys spending quality time with his family and exploring new experiences together. He is passionate about empowering people to recognise their strengths, stay active, and live fulfilling, meaningful lives.

Gavin Tu

Western Sydney

Gavin has over 5 years of experience working as an Exercise Physiologist, with a strong focus on WorkCover, NDIS, and youth athlete health and development. He has worked closely with individuals across a broad spectrum of needs, supporting clients through injury rehabilitation, return-to-work programs, functional capacity building, and long-term health management. His experience spans occupational rehabilitation, disability support, and performance-based programming for developing athletes.

Gavin has a particular interest in neuromuscular health and pain management, with a strong focus on helping clients better understand their bodies and build confidence through movement. He is passionate about bridging the gap between rehabilitation and performance, ensuring clients not only recover but also develop resilience and long-term physical capacity.

Outside of the clinic, Gavin leads an active lifestyle and brings that same energy into his practice. He enjoys hiking, spearfishing, long-distance running, DJing, and travelling. His diverse interests and commitment to movement allow him to connect with clients from all backgrounds, whether they are returning to work, managing a disability, or striving to improve their athletic performance.

Georgina Risk

South & SW Sydney

Georgina is an Exercise Physiologist passionate about helping people improve their health, confidence, and quality of life through movement. With experience in oncology, workers’ compensation, CTP, and rehab consulting, she supports clients to feel stronger, more capable, and empowered in their daily lives. Her approach is client-centred and focused on building confidence and sustainable lifestyle changes. Georgina also enjoys mentoring Master’s students at ACU and celebrates progress at every stage of her clients’ and students’ journeys.

Outside of work, she leads an active, balanced life—enjoying walks, netball, Oztag, movies, and travel. For Georgina, exercise is a big part of life, but health is also about growth, connection, and appreciating the little things

Jacinta Chalhoub

Inner & South West Sydney

Jacinta went to The University of Sydney and has recently graduated as an Accredited Exercise Physiologist. Jacinta has 4 years experience in the Workers Compensation scheme, and also has experience working with clients to rehabilitate musculoskeletal and chronic conditions such as neurological, metabolic, cancer and mental health.

Jacinta has an additional passion for reading and gaining new skills. She plays the piano and loves being outdoors participating in activities such as gym and walking, which she uses to help connect and motivate her clients.

Jack Philp

Sth W Sydney & Wollongong

Jack is a highly experienced Exercise Physiologist who has been working across compensable schemes since graduating in 2018. He is passionate about helping individuals manage acute and chronic medical conditions, improve their physical health, and support their mental well-being through movement and evidence-based intervention.

Jack has developed particular expertise in cardiometabolic, musculoskeletal, mental health, and respiratory conditions. He is known for designing personalised, practical exercise programs that are tailored to each client’s capabilities, lifestyle, and goals. His approach is holistic, often integrating exercise prescription with lifestyle strategies to support long-term health improvements.

Beyond the clinical setting, Jack brings a genuine enthusiasm for sport and performance. He has been involved in various high-performance athletic environments and is an active participant in rugby union, cricket, and golf. His personal interest in strength, resistance, endurance, and mobility training fuels his professional practice, allowing him to bring insight into how the body responds to different training methods and how to optimise performance and recovery.

Whether working with clients recovering from injury or athletes seeking performance gains, Jack brings a thoughtful, goal-oriented, and engaging approach to every session.

Jonathan Lai

West & SW Sydney

Jonathan specialises in musculoskeletal rehabilitation and chronic pain management, using a practical, education-focused approach to support recovery. With several years of experience assisting injured workers through complex rehabilitation, he prioritises safe, sustainable return-to-work outcomes and improved long-term function. Drawing on a background in high-performance athletics, Jonathan also enjoys helping individuals work toward more demanding physical goals, building strength, resilience, and confidence through tailored, evidence-based exercise programs.

Outside of work, Jonathan stays active through volleyball and strength training. He also enjoys gaming, live music, travelling, and exploring new cuisines

Kane Nadasdy

Brisbane

Kane holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sport and Exercise Science and a Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology. He has broad clinical experience working with individuals managing chronic health conditions, including diabetes, musculoskeletal injuries, and mental health challenges.

What sets Kane apart is his lived experience. Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of 10, Kane quickly discovered the power of exercise in managing his condition and maintaining a high quality of life. This personal journey sparked his passion for helping others living with chronic conditions—giving him a unique understanding of the patient experience, both physically and emotionally.

Kane combines evidence-based practice with empathy, designing tailored programs that support long-term health outcomes, lifestyle change, and resilience. He is especially passionate about resistance training and helping people discover the confidence and capability that comes with movement.

Outside of work, Kane is a true adrenaline enthusiast. He enjoys extreme sports such as MMA, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, wrestling, boxing, skateboarding, and rock climbing. When he’s not training or supporting clients, you’ll likely find him out hiking on the trails every other weekend.

Kim Ma Dulla

Administration

Kim enjoys working behind the scenes to keep things running smoothly—whether it’s providing day-to-day support, managing schedules, or coordinating plans. Known for her strong organizational skills and calm approach, she’s dedicated to supporting both teams and clients with reliability and care. Outside of work, Kim enjoys discovering new coffee spots or restaurants, and spending time with loved ones.

Loren Colina

Administration

Loren Colina brings nearly a decade of experience in talent acquisition, HR administration, and executive search, with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of the Philippines Cebu. Her expertise spans supporting end-to-end recruitment and HR administrative tasks, and record-keeping, while continuously improving admin support. Outside of work, she is a proud furparent to five dogs: two Siberian Huskies, a Bullmastiff, and two Shih Tzu Chihuahua mixes.

Lyn Woodward

North Sydney

Lyn is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist who completed her Bachelor of Exercise Physiology at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). She brings over 10 years of experience working across hospital rehabilitation and private practice, supporting individuals with a wide range of medical conditions including musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardiac presentations.

Lyn is passionate about using evidence-based exercise and movement to support mental wellbeing, promote healthy ageing, and improve overall quality of life. She takes a thoughtful, client-centred approach, tailoring programs to help individuals build confidence, restore function, and remain active across all stages of life.Kind Regards,

Madison Mitchell

Melbourne

Maddy is an Exercise Physiologist with a passion for helping people improve their health, confidence and quality of life through movement. She is particularly motivated by the way exercise can make a difference not only physically, but mentally – supporting clients to feel stronger, more capable and more empowered in their daily lives.

Her approach is client-centred and compassionate, focused on building confidence and creating sustainable lifestyle changes. Maddy enjoys working with people at all stages of their journey, celebrating progress both big and small.

Outside of work, Maddy leads a balanced lifestyle. She enjoys training at the gym, getting lost in a good book and catching up with friends over coffee. For her, health is about more than exercise – it’s about growth, connection and appreciating the little things along the way.

Mae Heard-Pennel

Head of Learning and Dev.

Mae studied Health Sciences at the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa and graduated with Honours in Biokinetics. Mae has worked as an Exercise Physiologist in both South Africa and New Zealand in the past and is currently doing what she is passionate about- supporting and developing allied professionals as the Head of Learning and Development at Specialised Health.

Mark Watson

South West & Sydney

Mark has over 10 years experience working as an Exercise Physiologist and has worked on the injury management front in both injury rehabilitation and also injury preventative space. Mark has experience working in Medical Practices, Physiotherapy Clinics and Private Practice, covering area’s including; occupational rehabilitation, occupational health and wellness, and musculoskeletal screening and rehabilitation.

Given he’s a highly accomplished triathlete as well, Mark offers a wide range of training and experience that’s relevant for all clients regardless of background or history. Mark has a particular interest in lower limb injury prevention, treatment of tendinopathy pathologies and exercise in a broader context for mental health and psychological wellbeing.

Melissa Mills

Administration

As an experienced Personal Assistant with over 25 years in the legal industry, Melissa has now joined Specialised Health to assist in meeting the needs of clients and has a great understanding of the importance of rehabilitation and recovery.

As a result of her exposure in the legal industry in assisting the management of Workers Compensation and Compulsory Third Party files, Melissa is focused on achieving goals and outcomes for all of Specialised Health’s clients.

Nikolas Nguy

Perth

Nikolas holds a Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology, where he gained practical experience across a wide range of conditions including cardiorespiratory, metabolic, neurological, and mental health pathologies. He has a particular interest in musculoskeletal rehabilitation and is passionate about using exercise as medicine to enhance both physical and mental well-being. Nikolas focuses on helping individuals return to work and resume the activities they enjoy most through tailored, evidence-based exercise programs.

Outside of work, Nikolas enjoys keeping active through gym training and playing a variety of social sports, including tennis, badminton, basketball, soccer, and frisbee. A self-proclaimed matcha enthusiast, he loves exploring new cafés, and in his downtime, you’ll often find him relaxing with music or playing the guitar and ukulele.

Nina Brandt-Sandral

Mackay

Nina has over 17 years experience working in clinical settings as an Exercise Physiologist and Sports Scientist; complementing this is Nina’s 20+ years instructing, presenting and training in the fitness industry. Nina has extensive experience in exercise prescription and an evidence-based approach in managing chronic and complex health conditions. She has lived and worked all over regional Australia and her allied health work has been across many different industries such as mining and agriculture.

Nina is also employed in education, teaching at a University in health courses. She uses these education skills to assist patients make positive behavioural changes and lifestyle management to improve health outcomes.

Rachel Sullivan

Christchurch

Rachel completed her postgraduate studies in Clinical Exercise Physiology with Distinction at the University of Auckland in 2021. She has experience with a range of chronic health conditions including cardiac, musculoskeletal, cancer, neurological, respiratory, metabolic, and other conditions (e.g., pregnancy/postpartum).

Through her own experience with ME/CFS, Rachel understands the impact of living with a chronic health condition. She has an empathetic approach, and enjoys seeing clients improve in confidence, exercise capacity, and health.
Recently, Rachel has undergone training as a cardiac physiologist, broadening her understanding of approaches to care in cardiac conditions.

Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, camping, mountain biking, reading, and spending time with friends and family.

Rebecca Coleman

Perth - South

Rebecca is a graduate of Murdoch University, holding a Master’s degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology. She is deeply passionate about empowering individuals to improve their health through movement and exercise, aiming to inspire self-belief and promote independent management of their well-being. With experience working as a Rehabilitation Consultant, Rebecca has assessed clients’ physical, psychological, and vocational needs to develop tailored rehabilitation plans. She has worked closely with clients to set specific goals, monitor progress, and provide support, while liaising with healthcare professionals to ensure a holistic approach to recovery. Rebecca brings expertise in working with a range of clients, including those with musculoskeletal injuries and mental health conditions. Rebecca takes pride in offering personalised exercise solutions that help her clients achieve better physical health and an improved quality of life.

Outside of her professional life, Rebecca is actively involved in volunteer community projects, particularly in gardening and cycling. She maintains an active lifestyle through gardening, nurturing a large vegetable garden based on permaculture principles. She also attends regular gym sessions and enjoys running, swimming, and cycling along Perth’s beautiful coastline.

Riley Tran

Inner West Sydney

Riley completed a Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise Physiology) at The University of Sydney in 2023. Following graduation, he worked as a rehabilitation consultant, assisting individuals in their return-to-work journey and supporting their recovery.

Riley has gained hands-on experience in neurological and aged care settings, fostering a strong commitment to improving health outcomes. He has a particular interest in the management of musculoskeletal and chronic conditions.

Beyond work, Riley has a deep passion for all sports, particularly football and basketball. An avid gym enthusiast, he enjoys all types of training and makes the most of the outdoors with regular running sessions. This love for movement and fitness helps Riley connect with and motivate clients in achieving their health and rehabilitation goals.

Ryan Free

Melbourne

East, South & South East Melbourne

Ryan is a technically gifted practitioner with over 14 years of clinical experience having graduated with a Masters of Exercise Rehabilitation back in 2008. His attributes find him regularly assisting clients to reach movement, rehabilitation, life and work-performance outcomes that they thought were never possible.

Ryan enjoys the challenges presented by chronic pain and designates complex musculo-skeletal and movement dysfunction as his special interest areas. He is a highly respected contributor to national GP education programs on Managing Chronic Pain that are changing the landscape with respect to the over-prescription of pain medication. This, together with his expansive experience running group and individual programs at a renowned Psychiatric facility has resulted in many health professionals sending a stream of referrals to Ryan to work with particularly challenging cases requiring a thorough biopsychosocial approach.

He is a passionate, dedicated and empathic health professional which translate into his other areas of interest including AFL, Golf, Carpentry & Business.

Ryu Nightingale

Auckland

Ryu completed his Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology at the University of Auckland, where he gained practical experience working with individuals managing a variety of chronic health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and musculoskeletal injuries. He is passionate about supporting people to improve their health, function, and confidence through personalised, evidence-based exercise programs tailored to their goals and abilities.

Ryu takes a calm, supportive, and client-centred approach, focusing on building long-term habits that empower individuals to return to meaningful activities and enhance their overall quality of life.

Outside of work, Ryu enjoys staying active through touch, basketball, tennis, and gym training. He also values time spent with friends and family and maintaining a balanced, healthy lifestyle.

Shara Kinney

South / North West Sydney

Shara is an accredited Exercise Physiologist with over eight years of experience, having graduated from Murdoch University in Perth, WA. Her career spans a broad spectrum of client groups—from professional athletes and veterans to older adults, individuals managing chronic pain, mental health conditions, cancer, and high-risk cardiac patients. She has also worked in hospital-based cardiac rehabilitation settings, gaining valuable clinical experience with complex presentations.

Since relocating to Sydney in 2019 and joining Specialised Health, Shara has taken on a leadership role as the NSW Senior Exercise Physiologist. She thrives on the diversity of clients she supports and is continually inspired by the way targeted exercise transforms lives, particularly in the context of injury recovery, health management, and improved function.

Shara’s passion for movement began during her training as a professional singer and dancer—a path that taught her how essential physical conditioning is for performance, resilience, and energy. She now integrates that understanding into her practice, helping clients build strength, fitness, and confidence through enjoyable, time-efficient programs, often incorporating HIIT and resistance training both in-clinic and at home.

Known for her bubbly personality, creativity, and ability to build rapport, Shara brings positivity and empathy to every session. Whether someone is recovering from a health condition or striving to improve their overall well-being, Shara brings both clinical expertise and contagious enthusiasm to support them on their journey

Simon Cheng

West & North West Sydney

Simon is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist with experience across clinical practice, private practice, and sports performance settings. He supports individuals through injury rehabilitation, capacity building, and long-term health improvement using evidence-based exercise prescription tailored to each client’s needs.

Simon takes a person-centred and holistic approach to care, focusing on building confidence, physical capacity, and resilience to support meaningful and lasting health outcomes. He is passionate about helping people move better and feel stronger in their everyday lives.

Outside of work, Simon enjoys staying active through outdoor pursuits such as diving and canyoning, and has a strong love for basketball.

Stephanie Ho

Gold Coast

Stephanie is a passionate exercise physiologist who graduated from the University of Sydney. Her experience spans a variety of settings, having worked with clients in rural areas, hospitals and private practice. She has a special interest in mental health and musculoskeletal conditions.

Stephanie’s passion for exercise stems from her background as a triathlete and mountaineer. She has undertaken expeditions in mountain ranges and polar regions, and has competed in both short and long-distance triathlons. Through her personal relationship with sport, she understands the importance of remaining active for both mental and physical wellbeing, and loves to empower others to achieve their movement goals.

Tessa Nielsen

New Plymouth

Tessa has been immersed in the health and fitness industry for over a decade and began her career as an Exercise Physiologist after completing her master’s degree in 2017. Her master’s research focused on chronic fatigue syndrome, specifically assessing the physiological response to exercise in this population. This sparked a lasting passion for working with invisible illnesses, where she aims to empower individuals to navigate their unique challenges through tailored approaches.

Tessa’s philosophy is grounded in functional training, prioritising movement that directly enhances a person’s ability to do all the things that make life meaningful—work, family, or recreation. She is also deeply invested in the role of exercise in preventing chronic disease; assisted by a background in education, she is on an added mission to educate everyone she works with (and anyone who will listen really!).

Fun fact: She’s in the top 0.1% of Eminem listeners worldwide and no matter how hard she tries, he’s always her #1 artist.

Tessa Thurston

Adelaide

Tessa commenced working as an Exercise Physiologist in 2008 after completing degrees in Human Movement and Education.

She has had the opportunity to work in Adelaide, Darwin and Melbourne in private and multidisciplinary clinics as well as workplace health and rehabilitation. Tessa has a keen interest in population health and has extensive experience in target pathologies including cardiovascular, metabolic, musculoskeletal and mental health.

Yolanda van Vugt

Marketing Coordinator

Since completing her Master’s degree in 2017 (Clinical Exercise Physiology – the University of Auckland), Yolanda has enjoyed working as an EP in a range of settings – private, community health, corporate health, and life insurance. Armed with real-world experience as an EP and enjoyment of content creation, Yolanda enjoys combining the two in the role of marketing coordinator! Yolanda is particularly interested in the psychology of behaviour change and what drives motivation.