Growing up in rural Australia, my childhood revolved around sport. It was the driving force that propelled me out of bed on frosty winter mornings and pushed me through scorching 40-degree summer days. Football, cricket, touch rugby and volleyball were the main focus. While I loved them all, it was volleyball that brought me the most success.

As any kid would, I embraced every opportunity to play at higher levels, even if it meant embarking on a 12-hour round trip to Melbourne every weekend for four months with my dedicated taxi-dad. However, my journey hit a roadblock when I encountered significant injuries, including Osgood Schlatter's in my right knee and a developmental issue with my thoracic spine.

The toll these injuries took, both physically and mentally, during my adolescence was a side of sports injuries rarely discussed.

Feeling disheartened and thinking my sports journey had come to an end, I found support in an exceptional Osteopath and Physiotherapist. With their help, I recovered from the thoracic spine issue within months, and the Osgood Schlatter's only took a few years to mend (an impressive feat given the usual recovery timelines).

Then when I reached the pinnacle of state teams and national camps, I realized the impact proper training advice could have had in preventing these injuries, instead of just treating them.

This realization reshaped my perspective on injury management, prompting me to shift my focus toward preparation and prevention. I dedicated myself to building a foundation of movement patterns and tissue capacity. Collaborating with experienced Strength & Conditioning coaches, I received valuable advice and programs that not only propelled my own recovery but also inspired me to pursue a career in injury prevention.

After completing high school, I faced a pivotal decision between pursuing Osteopathy or Physiotherapy in Melbourne and a college volleyball contract in the US. Despite the tempting offer from South Carolina to play and study medicine, I chose Osteopathy at RMIT University. The emphasis on whole-body health and understanding the interconnectedness of the body resonated with me, aligning with my personal experience of how one injury can impact the entire system.

Once I finished my Osteo degree, I found myself frustrated with the lack of focus on rehabilitation and movement medicine in the clinics I worked in, as well in the overall medical system. Most clinics and medical practices were set up to treat patients only in the short term, with no goal planning or long-term focus. Although these therapies were effective in treating the injuries, it didn't align with my passion for prevention.

I still felt like movement medicine was worth the pursuit, so over the next 5 years I worked, learned, and taught in clinics across Melbourne, India, Maldives, and soon in Fiji and Barcelona.

Fast forward to 2023, after a move west, APEX was born. Driven by the desire to assist active individuals in preventing injuries rather than just treating them, APEX aims to maintain movement and maximize time on the court, track, or field.

I’ve been so lucky to maintain my connection with rural Australia, and have setup a satellite clinic in Katanning in the WA wheatbelt. I aim to head down every 4-6 weeks.