Gentle and controlled water exercise to help you regain fitness and strength
Leanne Groves
Leanne is an accomplished Accredited Exercise Physiologist with a passion for empowering individuals through knowledge and promoting physical well-being. Focusing on musculoskeletal conditions, including osteoarthritis, Leanne has dedicated her career to helping others overcome physical challenges and improve their quality of life.
Driven by a love for trail running, Leanne possesses an in-depth understanding of the unique issues that runners face. Whether it’s addressing common running injuries or optimizing performance, she is well-versed in developing tailored exercise programs and providing expert guidance to help runners achieve their goals safely and effectively.
Having spent six years working closely with serving military personnel, Leanne has gained extensive experience in physical and occupational rehabilitation. She is committed to helping individuals recover from injuries, regain strength, and restore functionality, ultimately facilitating their return to work, sport or activity.
Throughout her career, Leanne has also excelled as a lecturer and clinical adviser. Her love for learning is evident in their pursuit of knowledge, staying up-to-date with the latest research and advancements in exercise physiology. This wealth of expertise allows her to not only deliver informative lectures but also provide invaluable mentorship to aspiring professionals in the field.
With an unwavering belief in the transformative power of knowledge, Leanne is committed to empowering others. By combining their extensive experience, expertise in exercise physiology, and passion for teaching, she strives to educate individuals, equipping them with the tools and understanding they need to take control of their own health and well-being.
Whether it’s helping individuals manage musculoskeletal issues, supporting them in their rehabilitation journey, or imparting wisdom through teaching and mentorship, Leanne continues to make a positive impact in the field of exercise physiology and beyond.
Michael Gilbert
Founding Fizzio for Life in 2010, Michael is the principal physiotherapist, who is focused on providing the Logan community with exceptional allied health care. Experienced, thoughtful and caring, Michael takes a holistic approach to helping our patients improve their functional movement, mobility, health and well-being.
Michael has extensive experience in general physiotherapy and rehabilitation, helping patients recover from a vast range of injuries and health conditions. Having experienced multiple injuries himself, coupled with intermittent back pain, Michael fully understands and empathises with the pain that our patients are often feeling.
Also an exercise physiologist, Michael tailors exercise programs to assist our patients in managing chronic disease and other health conditions. Furthermore, Michael is a qualified lymphoedema practitioner, helping patients improve and manage this uncomfortable condition.
Leading the Fizzio For Life team, Michael’s workday begins with coffee, after which he heads into the clinic to treat patients with complex needs, supervise and mentor our junior team, and provide support for our clinical staff. Combining his listening and problem-solving skills, Michael is unwaveringly focused on achieving good outcomes for our patients. Always.
Dedicated to building a team that’s more like family, Michael loves watching our junior staff progress and develop their skills. A jack of all trades himself, he’s often called upon to get rid of hiccups (a unique skill) that can be attributed to his commitment to perseverance.
As a child, Michael wanted to drive tractors and work with his dad in the sugar cane industry. However, after an early rugby and coaching career, Michael developed an interest in exercise science and went on to pursue physiotherapy.
Passionate about all sport, especially rugby union, Michael also loves being on the water, a place where you’ll find him most weekends. Exploring the local waterways and beyond, Michael loves spending time with his wife and dog.
Michael holds a Bachelor of Exercise Science, Masters of Physiotherapy and is an accredited Lymphoedema physiotherapist. He is a member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association, Exercise & Sports Science Australia and is registered with the Australian Lymphoedema Organisation.
Julie Atkin
A senior member of our team with extensive industry experience, Julie graduated as a physiotherapist in 2008 and has since continued to develop her skills and qualifications. A senior physiotherapist, here at Fizzio For Life, Julie’s focus is centred around women’s health, cancer rehab and assessing and treating musculoskeletal conditions.
Dedicated to helping our patients improve their health, strength and confidence, Julie takes a holistic approach to her patients. Attending to the whole person, rather than the symptom or injury, Julie treats pelvic floor, prolapse and continence disorders. She also helps women with pregnancy and post-natal care along with cancer rehabilitation.
Before becoming a physiotherapist, Julie worked as an executive assistant in the public service. After rupturing her ACL in 2000, Julie developed a deep understanding of the rehabilitation and recovery process. Knowing she wanted to make a tangible difference to people’s lives, she decided to combine her love for exercise and interest in the function of the human body. Thus, she pursued her career in physiotherapy.
Coming a long way since her childhood dream of being an accountant, Julie has extensive experience in providing dedicated and effective treatments and programs. Helping her patients achieve a high quality of life, her motto in life is to be warrior, not a worrier.
Creative at heart, on weekends you’ll find Julie baking a delicious cake, lighting up the dance floor or out on the water. A former flying trapeze amateur and Latin dancer, Julie always loves a new and adventurous challenge. And, if she had her own teleporter, Julie would whisk herself away to Italy for a three month travel holiday.
In addition to her expertise in women’s health, Julie also has a wealth of experience in sports physiotherapy, having worked with Morningside AFL Club, Labrador AFL Club, Qld Senior AFL, Qld/NT Under 21s and Queensland Women’s Hockey.
Julie has undertaken additional training in the assessment and treatment of pelvic floor disorders, clinical Pilates (DMA Level 4), western acupuncture and dry needling, as well as sports physiotherapy. Julie holds a Bachelor of Physiotherapy and is an accredited Pinc Cancer Rehabilitation therapist. She is also a member of the Women’s, Men’s and Pelvic Health Group of the Australian Physiotherapy Association.
Maathangi Hackett (née Karunaharan)
Maathangi, or “M” as we affectionately call her, has over five years of experience working as a physiotherapist in both private practice and occupational health settings. Bubbly, honest and compassionate, Maathangi is dedicated to providing holistic care to her patients. Looking further than simply managing a condition, Maathangi will attend to each patient’s individual needs, concerns and future health goals.
Very personable with an eye for detail, Maathangi takes an active, evidence-based approach with her patients. She holds a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) and is completing further post-graduate study through the University of Queensland in musculoskeletal physiotherapy. She cares for a wide of range of people and conditions, from pre- and post-surgical management through to musculoskeletal and sporting injuries. She is also holds competencies in dry needling and clinical pilates.
A day in Maathangi’s week will always begin with a hot cup of tea before she heads into work. Once here, her typical routine consists of assessing and treating patients, setting and helping them reach their goals as well as running clinical pilates classes twice a week. Phew! Inspired by the people she works with, Maathangi is driven by the satisfaction she gets helping patients. Oh, and cake. She loves cake.
Hitting the gym after work or dance practice at the Nadananjali School of Dance, Maathangi will then go home to spoil her two (very cute) kitties. And on weekends? You’ll find her hiking, dancing, playing board games, Dungeons & Dragons and relaxing with her friends.
If Maathangi could click her fingers and go anywhere in the world, it’d be Milford Sound in New Zealand. And her number one bucket list to-do is to visit all the Wonders of the World, with the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu placed at number one.
With childhood hopes of once being a tree fairy, when Maathangi realised this was an unlikely career path, she pursued her dancing dream. A classical Indian dancer for over 20 years, Maathangi has experienced a range of injuries, from ankle sprains and cartilage tears through to tendinosis. Also suffering from whiplash in her early 20s, Maathangi understands the importance of seeking early physiotherapy treatment as well as continued self-management and exercise; encouraging this active rehabilitation approach to achieve the best outcome for every patient.
Josh Willcocks
Helping people achieve their health goals through exercise, Josh has over five years of experience in exercise physiology. Throughout his career, he’s worked with many different injuries and health conditions with both patients and across many government initiatives, including Medicare, NDIS, DVA and WorkCover.
Patient and empathetic, Josh genuinely cares about the long-term well-being of his patients. Skilled in adapting an exercise to suit his patient’s individual needs and goals, he’s also able to gauge when they’re ready to safely progress.
A typical day for Josh revolves around using exercise and movement to help people achieve a better quality of life. This could be in the gym, at the park, developing in-home programs, or conducting telehealth appointments. You’ll also find Josh helping patients at the in-clinic gym, at external gyms, and at hydrotherapy classes at the local pool.
Motivated by helping people work toward their functional movement goals and recover from injuries, Josh feels ultimately rewarded when a patient begins to see results and he can see how proud of themselves they are. He loves working with the Fizzio For Life team, which encompasses a positive and enjoyable vibe, every day.
A keen sportsman, Josh himself has suffered from a range of injuries, including a ruptured ACL and torn meniscus from playing touch football. This, in fact, is what sparked his interest in rehabilitation exercise. Having experienced injuries himself, Josh gets that the recovery process is long and knows that the best strategy is to be consistent with your exercises and remain positive.
Outside of work, Josh enjoys being active and keeping fit. Walking the talk, he knows that if he’s dishing out advice on exercise, he needs to be doing it himself! Whether he’s outdoors on an adventure, playing rugby, at the beach, hiking or exploring new territory (hello new cafes and bars), you’ll find Josh at his happiest.
Featuring at number one on his bucket list, Josh wants to see as much of the world as possible; a goal which fits nicely into his personal motto, if it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you. A humble, yet talented artist, Josh hopes to one day dedicate more time to his drawing.
Josh holds a Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology, is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist and is an Exercise and Sports Science Australia Member (ESSAM).
Kerryn Ivers
With over six years of experience as an exercise physiologist, Kerryn loves helping people to improve their health so they can live their life to the fullest. Whether that be returning to sport, managing a chronic condition or simply being able to get up and down to play with grandchildren, Kerryn genuinely cares about her patients’ well-being.
With a focus in the areas of occupational rehabilitation, chronic disease rehabilitation and group exercise classes, Kerryn is dedicated to helping our local community live a healthy and active lifestyle. Having completed additional training in cancer/oncology rehabilitation, Kerryn is passionate about the role exercise plays in cancer prevention, mitigating the impacts of cancer treatment and survivorship.
Reliable and caring, a day in the life of Kerryn involves meeting with patients to review, prescribe, educate, motivate and progress their physical conditioning programs. She meets with patients in the clinic, in hydrotherapy sessions at the pool and in their own homes.
A creative thinker and problem-solver, Kerryn can think outside the square when faced with a challenge to overcome barriers and find a solution. Meeting people where they are at and listening to their story, Kerryn applies her extensive knowledge to their situation to help them move toward their goals.
Seeing people have fun while exercising makes Kerryn super-happy. After all, looking after your health doesn’t have to be a chore. A SUP enthusiast herself, she loves getting out on the water and dreams about bike-packing around Europe with her husband.
If Kerryn was granted one wish and could go anywhere in the world right now, you’d find her lounging by the water after a SUP session, watching her kids play in the sand. When there’s no genie in sight, Kerryn’s weekends are spent watching her boys play cricket. On a day-to-day basis, Kerryn is constantly feeding her growing children and doing their laundry! It naturally follows that good coffee is a must!
Kerryn holds a Bachelor of Applied Science, Human Movement Studies (Hons), is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist and is an Exercise and Sports Science Australia Member (ESSAM).