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.

Alicia Edwards

Account Manager - Life Ins.
Anthony Clappers

South East Melbourne
Anthony Gardner

West Metro & Regional VIC
Ashley Saunders

West Auckland
Brad Domek

Director
Brandon Woolley

Wellington
Caitlin Milne

Tasman-Malborough
Cara Leyten

Palmerston North
Carmyn Barnes

Christchurch & Canterbury
Cathy Barakat

Administration
Crystal Stavris

Executive Assistant
Daniel Logan

East Brisbane, CBD, Redland
Eric Suh

North West Sydney
Gary Calitz

Hamilton
Hayden Kelly

North Sydney
Hussein Taoube

Inner West & East Sydney
Jacinta Chalhoub

Inner & South West Sydney
Jack Philp

SW Sydney & Wollongong
Jennifer Santos

Administration
Kane Nadasdy

Brisbane
Kellie Worell

Townsville
Kim Ma Dulla

Administration
Loren Colina

Administration
Mae Heard-Pennel

Head of Learning and Dev.
Mark Watson

South West & Sydney
Melissa Mills

Administration
Natalie Winterton

Auckland
Nina Brandt-Sandral

Mackay
Rebecca Coleman

Perth - South
Riley Tran

Inner West Sydney
Ryan Free

Melbourne
Samuel Panton

Wellington
Shara Kinney

South / North West Sydney
Sidney Cubasch

Brisbane & Gold Coast
Stephanie Ho

Sydney
Steven O’Keefe

Head of Operations
Tessa Nielsen

New Plymouth
Tessa Thurston

Adelaide
Will Riekie

Perth
Yolanda van Vugt

Marketing Coordinator

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.

Anthony Clappers

South East Melbourne

Anthony is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist who graduated from Victoria University in Melbourne and has been practising since 2022. He brings a well-rounded and client-centred approach to his work, with experience supporting a wide range of populations, including Australia Post workers, Veterans, individuals managing mental health conditions, and members of the general public.

With a strong clinical foundation, Anthony is skilled in conducting functional capacity evaluations, pre-employment screenings, and developing tailored exercise programs for rehabilitation, chronic disease management, and injury prevention. He collaborates closely with clients and healthcare teams to deliver evidence-based, goal-oriented treatment plans designed to improve health outcomes and promote long-term physical activity.

Outside the clinical setting, Anthony has a strong passion for health and fitness. With nearly five years of weight training experience—particularly in powerlifting—he enjoys teaching clients how to train safely and effectively, whether they’re new to exercise or seasoned lifters chasing personal bests. His programs often incorporate barbell, theraband, machine, and callisthenics-based movements, always tailored to individual needs and goals, from enhancing strength and mobility to achieving sport-specific performance.

When he’s not in with clients or in the gym, Anthony can be found skateboarding (despite the occasional fall) or on a mission to find the best Chicken Parma in town.

Anthony Gardner

West Metro & Regional VIC

Anthony is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist with a strong background in managing a wide range of conditions across musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurological domains. He has a particular interest in supporting individuals with complex musculoskeletal presentations, drawing on evidence-based exercise interventions to reduce pain, restore function, and improve quality of life. Anthony is highly goal-oriented and takes pride in tailoring rehabilitation and strength programs that are both clinically sound and personally meaningful to his clients. He values the opportunity to guide people through their recovery journey—whether it’s helping someone regain mobility after injury or supporting long-term management of chronic conditions. His strengths lie in communication, rapport-building, and adaptability, which allow him to create a comfortable and motivating environment for clients of all ages and backgrounds.

With over a decade of strength and conditioning experience, Anthony has worked across gym, private practice, and sports settings, training individuals from beginners to high-performance athletes. Having played college basketball in the United States, he has a personal understanding of high-level sport and now applies that experience to help others achieve sport-specific goals, especially in basketball strength and conditioning and plyometric development.

Outside of work, Anthony remains an avid basketball player and enjoys spending time with his family and friends.

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.

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.

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 & Canterbury

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.

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.

Gary Calitz

Hamilton

Gary is an experienced Exercise Physiologist with a global background in sports and rehabilitation. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Johannesburg in 2008, followed by a postgraduate degree at the University of the Witwatersrand in 2010. For over eight years, he ran a successful private biokinetics practice, working with professional athletes and clients across musculoskeletal rehabilitation, neuromuscular conditions, and chronic disease management.

After relocating to Hamilton in 2023, Gary completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Sports and Exercise Science with distinction. Since then, he has been a valued member of the team at Specialised Health, bringing a wealth of clinical knowledge and a results-driven, client-centred approach.

Gary is passionate about helping clients enhance their physical capacity, overcome injury, and build resilience through functional strength and performance-based training. Whether supporting someone through post-injury rehabilitation or guiding an athlete to train smarter and race stronger, he combines technical expertise with an empathetic and motivational style.

A trail running enthusiast himself, Gary understands firsthand the importance of balancing endurance with targeted strength training. He brings this mindset into his practice—helping others stay injury-free, build confidence, and achieve their personal best.

When he’s not supporting clients or running through rugged trails, you’ll likely find Gary enjoying a strong coffee (or three)—his secret weapon for staying sharp and energized.

Hayden Kelly

North Sydney

Hayden is a dedicated health and fitness professional with memberships in several prestigious organizations, including Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA), the Australian Strength and Conditioning Association (ASCA), the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK), the Sports Nutrition Association (SNA), the Asia-Pacific Society for Physical Activity (ASPA), and the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI).

He is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) having earned a Bachelor of Exercise Physiology from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and is currently pursuing a PhD through the University of Newcastle focusing on advancing the understanding of exercise and health.

Through continued learning opportunities Hayden has developed skills in exercise prescription for a vast array of patient pathologies including cardiovascular, metabolic, musculoskeletal and neurological conditions. Through a client centred approach to exercise prescription and education, he has an intention to help others attain better control over the determinants of their health, allowing them to achieve better health outcomes long term.

A passionate and optimistic professional, Hayden is committed to achieving outstanding results for his clients and guiding them toward their full potential. His enthusiasm for the benefits of exercise extends beyond his work, as he is also a competitive natural bodybuilder, dedicated to inspiring others to realize the transformative power of physical activity.

Outside of work, Hayden enjoys traveling, listening to podcasts, savoring quality Japanese cuisine, and spending time with his family.

Hussein Taoube

Inner West & East Sydney

Hussein is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist with over four years of experience working across the compensable sectors, including both occupational rehabilitation and clinical treatment settings. His work has primarily focused on supporting individuals with cancer, mental health conditions, and musculoskeletal injuries, while also developing skills in neuromuscular and cardiovascular rehabilitation.

With a strong foundation in strength and conditioning, Hussein draws on over a decade of personal and professional training experience—particularly in powerlifting. He is passionate about applying strength-based principles to rehabilitation, achieving outstanding outcomes for clients by incorporating safe, effective, and progressive training programs.

Hussein is known for his ability to design periodised programs that are carefully tailored to the individual. Whether the goal is improving athletic performance, building strength and muscle mass, recovering from injury, or enhancing quality of life, his graded approach ensures progress is sustainable and aligned with each client’s unique needs.

Dedicated, knowledgeable, and client-focused, Hussein empowers people to regain function, build resilience, and feel confident in their physical abilities—regardless of where they are starting from.

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

SW 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.

Jennifer Santos

Administration

With years of experience as an administrative assistant, Jennifer has honed her proficiency in delivering top-tier customer service and comprehensive administrative support. Her background includes managing client inquiries, coordinating tasks, and ensuring smooth operations in fast-paced environments. Jennifer takes pride in her ability to assist her team with professionalism, efficiency, and attention to detail. Outside of work, she enjoys culinary pursuits, particularly baking, and finds joy in music.

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.

Kellie Worell

Townsville

Kellie is accredited as an Exercise Physiologist as well as an Exercise Scientist who is currently studying post graduate Psychology. Kellie is experienced working in clinical settings managing a range of chronic and complex conditions, musculoskeletal and mental health conditions as well as pain management and cancer management.

Kellie applies evidence-based prescription to her experience and knowledge to connect with her clients to facilitate best possible health outcomes.

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.

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. After practicing for 8 years and setting up a successful private practice she immigrated to New Zealand in 2019, worked briefly as an Exercise Physiologist with Specialised Health while managing a rehab facility and busy physiotherapy practice. 5 years of upskilling staff has lead her back to Specialised Health doing what she is passionate about- supporting and developing allied professionals.

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.

Natalie Winterton

Auckland

Natalie is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist with over a decade of experience, having graduated with Honours in Biokinetics from the University of Pretoria in 2012. After spending 10 years practicing in South Africa, she relocated to New Zealand in 2022, bringing with her a strong foundation in musculoskeletal rehabilitation and a deep commitment to supporting special populations—including individuals with neurological, autoimmune, and metabolic conditions.

Natalie is particularly passionate about working with older adults and has developed a special interest in supporting ageing women to prevent chronic disease and promote long-term health and vitality. She believes in the power of small, sustainable changes, using evidence-based exercise interventions to help her clients reclaim their strength, independence, and overall quality of life.

With a warm, encouraging style, Natalie takes pride in helping people reconnect with movement through modalities they enjoy most. Her personalised exercise prescriptions are not only clinically sound but also tailored to suit each client’s lifestyle, preferences, and goals—whether they’re returning from illness, managing a condition, or simply looking to feel healthier and happier.

Outside of work, Natalie is a proud mum of two girls, an avid runner, and a former college tennis player (on scholarship in Austin, Texas). In 2017, she completed the Comrades Marathon—an 87 km ultramarathon—highlighting her personal dedication to endurance, resilience, and staying active through every life stage.

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.

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.

Samuel Panton

Wellington

In 2014, Sam received an Honours Degree in Physical Activity, Exercise and Health from the University of Wolverhampton, England. Since then, he spent 8 and a half years as a Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Practitioner, firstly working in the British National Health Service, then progressing to General Manager of a Charitable Organization.

Throughout Sam’s career, he has been involved with research into the effect of early intervention of individualised exercise programs on an acute exacerbation of COPD or Pulmonary Fibrosis, and separately into the most effective exercise routines for patients suffering from Post Viral Syndrome (Long Covid). After these experiences, He has become a strong believer that exercise is for all, no matter your barriers to participation or severity of condition.

People would describe Sam as a patient, understanding and empathetic individual who would go out of his way to ensure the best service is provided.

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

Sidney Cubasch

Brisbane & Gold Coast

Sidney brings 15 years of experience in exercise delivery for rehabilitation, health, and performance. She earned her Master’s in Clinical Exercise Physiology from Deakin University in 2014. Her diverse career includes private practice, research in academia, and running her own business. Sidney specialises in managing musculoskeletal conditions, with a particular focus on low back pain.

Sidney’s passion for health and fitness originated from an elite junior tennis career, and she recently retired from playing women’s state league AFL. Sidney now enjoys golf as her primary sport. She is dedicated to helping individuals recognise their strengths and abilities, leading to improved functional outcomes and empowering them to lead fulfilling lives through movement.

Stephanie Ho

Sydney

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.

Steven O’Keefe

Head of Operations

Steven is a seasoned executive leader with over 15 years of experience driving operational excellence and financial success across multiple sectors, including Retail Banking and Allied Health. His extensive background in both clinical and corporate environments has equipped him with the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, foster stakeholder relationships, and achieve exceptional performance for national organisations.

Steven’s expertise spans across strategic planning, financial management, and operational oversight. He has successfully led large-scale transformations, while navigating critical changes following the Federal Government reforms. His leadership has resulted in significant financial achievements, business scale and growth, enhancing service quality, and achieving high levels of compliance and client satisfaction.

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.

Will Riekie

Perth

Will is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist and Exercise Scientist with experience across occupational health, neurological rehabilitation, and disability services. He is passionate about helping people improve their function, strength, and overall quality of life through personalised, evidence-based exercise programs.

With a strong background in resistance training and general strength and conditioning, Will is skilled at designing tailored programs for individuals at all stages of health and fitness. He has a particular interest in working with clients with neurological conditions and has delivered disability support through organisations like Buddy Up. Will is also experienced in adapting programs for those returning to activity after injury or managing complex health needs.

Based in Perth’s northern suburbs, Will is dedicated to serving his local community through practical, client-centred care. His friendly and relatable approach helps clients feel supported and empowered on their rehab and wellness journeys.

Outside of work, Will is a long-time athlete—having played AFL for 15 years and participated in athletics. He continues to enjoy soccer, surfing, hiking, and outdoor adventures. His personal passion for sport and movement shines through in his work, helping him connect with clients through shared interests and active lifestyles.

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.