Our Team

Bernard

Personal Trainer

I’ve always been involved in some form of sport and fitness since an early age. I’ve played club soccer since the age of nine and have participated in many other sports over the years, such as boxing and martial arts. Before I moved into Personal Training, I was also a Martial Arts Instructor and a Sports Coach.

My passion for helping people improve their physical fitness grew during my coaching career, but an even deeper desire came after I lost my own mother. She passed during an otherwise simple operation but had complications, which the doctors believe was due to her weight issues. My interest in fitness also stems largely from my father who has always been my inspiration. He has been a Scout Master, a Sports Referee and a Coach, and at the age of 80, he still continues to make exercise and physical activity an essential part of his life.

My favourite thing about training people is the joy that is brought to their face when they lose weight and tone up and realise that a better physique isn’t out of their reach. I love helping people with weight loss, toning, and body transformations.

Favourite foods:

Italian style pizzas and Chinese lemon chicken

Favourite exercises:

Tricep exercises – I think this is one of the most important areas to tone, as almost two-thirds of the arm is tricep muscle.

What I like to do during my free time:

On Saturdays, I often love venturing to Water Theme Parks and the Beach. Most Sundays I quite enjoy staying at home to catch up on quality family bonding.

Favourite quote:

“If you want nothing in life, do what you want. If you want success, do what is needed.”

Bryce

Personal Trainer

I have watched my father change countless lives over the years through personal training, and that inspired me to become a personal trainer too. I love helping people with their weight loss issues, and I really enjoy watching their faces light up when they realise that exercising can actually be fun. It’s been so rewarding for me to help people lose some pretty big numbers. My largest weight loss for a client to date is 25 kg, and I’m looking forward to improving it.

I’ve always enjoyed being active and looking after my health. When I was younger, I played team sports such as soccer and studied martial arts. I also have a real interest in anatomy and physiology. What the human body is capable of never ceases to amaze me.

Working at Striders is so challenging and rewarding. There isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t look forward to working here.

Jodie

Personal Trainer

Growing up I spent every spare moment playing sports swimming, netball, surf life saving and martial arts. Then after having my two children I found myself overweight and unhealthy and soon realised something had to change. I was quickly reminded of the positive effects exercise has on my own physical and psychological well being and found my passion for Nutrition and Fitness all over again.

Working at Striders allows me to share that enthusiasm and knowledge with others and inspire them to become a fitter, stronger version of themselves. I believe education, motivation and inspiration all work together for overall success. Personal Training allows me to help teach proper health and fitness techniques and how to incorporate them into the daily life.

My favourite thing about training is building relationships and connecting with people one on one. I enjoy helping them achieve their personal goals, no matter how big or small.

Zachary

Personal Trainer

My passion for health and fitness stems from my parents, who taught me to value and appreciate it. Growing up and seeing the unwavering passion and discipline my parents put into exercise and eating right made me realise the importance of doing the same. So I joined the Striders Team to pass on my knowledge and help other people achieve their own fitness dreams.

Through the knowledge I have gained at Striders, I have seen my body transform remarkably. The friendly studio environment, and the way people all encourage and support each other to achieve their goals is something that really appeals to me. I love the positive vibes here.

The thing I like most about training clients is sharing my knowledge with them and helping them achieve results that they’ve wanted for so long.

Samantha

Personal Trainer

I have been actively involved in playing sports since an early age. over the years I have participated in netball, horse riding, dance competitions, and triathlons.
I started training at Striders Personal Training seven years ago and with the knowledge of the trainers for exercise and nutrition, working out became fun, and I got down to my goal weight – losing 20KG.

Seeing the focus and dedication I was putting into my training – as well as me helping other clients – the management at Striders asked if I wanted to join the team… and I haven’t looked back. I love interacting with clients, and helping them to overcome any obstacles they face along the way. Seeing them so proud of their accomplishments, their physical transformations, and being able to cheer them on is the greatest feeling.

Working at Striders is very inspiring and the team is very supportive and dedicated to ensuring the best for everyone.

I have a strong interest in sports injuries and physiotherapy, and I’m looking forward to expanding my knowledge in these areas.

Phoebe

Personal Trainer

Hi, my name is Phoebe and I’ve been keen on being a Personal Trainer from an early age. my step mother was one of the very first clients to train at Striders Personal Training when it initially opened its doors, all those years ago… and she still trains at Striders to this day. it was actually during these early years – when I would go to watch her train – that I approached Bernie, the Owner of the Lawnton Striders, asking him if I could possibly work there. with me being so very young, he gave me a warm smile and nicely replied: “sure! when you finish school and if you are still interested in being a Personal Trainer you can certainly try out here and see how you go.”

Well, here I am, and I have gained so much valuable knowledge along the way working with the Striders Team, helping people to reach their weight loss and fitness dreams.

When you hear people say that Striders is like family, they couldn’t possibly be any closer to the truth… It truly is! A family that encourages each other every step, and sharing many laughs along the way. The thing that I really enjoy the most about being at Striders Personal Training is having the opportunity to help guide, motivate, and offer support to people who are on a life changing journey.

Alexandra

Personal Trainer

I have always been around sport since a young age, especially netball and swimming. I began swimming competitively when I was 17 and am in the pool at least seven times a week. I currently am studying a Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology at USC, and hope to work in rehab with post-surgery and accident clients when I have completed my degree.

I joined Striders in 2019 in hope to gain some muscle tone and strength to improve my swimming. During my time at Striders, I have been able to notice a remarkable increase in my muscle tone and improved my swimming times remarkably. My coach has even commented on my improved strength and is always wanting to hear about what I am doing in the gym.

Damien

Personal Trainer

I’ve always been involved in some form of sport and fitness since an early age. I’ve played baseball since the age of five and coached as I got older. I have also been involved in surf lifesaving as a volunteer and competed in beach sprinting at state level.

My passion for helping people improve their physical fitness grew during my competing and coaching career. An even deeper desire came after watching my wife go through a tuff time with her health. I saw first-hand how much of a physical transformation a person can make through healthy eating and exercise. The amazing change in her physique further grew my interest in health and fitness.

My favourite thing about training people is the satisfaction of making someone believe that they can do the impossible. I love helping people with weight loss, toning and muscle up body transformations.

Ashleigh

Personal Trainer

I have grown up in a very active family, participating in sports from a young age, both individual and team. Currently, I am focussing on netball, and playing at the highest level among the school excellence program. I love the physical and mental benefits staying active provides for me.

Striders has helped me to improve my fitness levels. With the program of each session varying, it has allowed me to complete a variety of exercises whilst toning and gaining strength. The supportive studio environment has allowed me to reach new fitness levels that I did not think were possible.

This success has grown my desire for a continued healthy lifestyle and to continue to achieve personal goals.

Voyen

Personal Trainer

Playing sports and keeping fit has always been something at the forefront of my mind. I guess, when you grow up in a family who were big on staying active, it was bound to rub off on me as well. Over the course of my life I’ve played numerous sports, with my favourites being martial arts, boxing, and soccer. In my later years I became involved in sports coaching, instructing martial arts, and personal training.

My passion, over the years, has become so strong for Personal Training that helping others reach their weight loss and muscle toning goals has become a top priority for me. It simply is one of my life’s biggest drivers! I understand how hard it can be for a person to achieve their transformation goal when daily life is now so busy and there is no one there, in their corner, to help.

Brieanna

Personal Trainer

I joined striders personal training in 2004, after I saw how much progress my Mum and Dad had made within a short amount of time… and I very quickly realised how much I enjoy weight training. Since having my son, I have focused more on the actual movements involved in the various exercises, to ease my body back into the routine. While doing this, I have discovered that I have a passion for the biomechanics behind exercise – and decided to ask if I could possibly be a Trainer at Striders. I haven’t looked back since – it’s been awesome!!

I really enjoy working with people who want to improve their fitness levels and physiques. Being able to pass on my knowledge and watching them progress is truly rewarding. A further bonus is being able to work in an environment that is so warm and welcoming. No matter who is there, you always feel like you are surrounded by friends; people who all share a common goal.

Channtal

Personal Trainer

My love for activity stems from my very young years when i was enrolled in dancing. I truly enjoyed those days; times such as these later led me to the realisation of just how important it is for the entire family to stay fit and healthy. Keeping fit and healthy at all ages is crucial, and a top priority for me.

Having children is my greatest achievement; I love watching them grow and learn. Being a Personal Trainer has helped me to teach them important lessons – about exercise and eating – that are sure to help them later in life. I enjoy sharing the knowledge I have accumulated, being a personal trainer, with others… particularly those who find these subjects somewhat overwhelming. Simplifying exercise and nutrition is the key to staying on track to reaching your weight loss and fitness goals.

Trent

Personal Trainer

Thanks to my parents, sports has always been a big part of my life. From the early age of 5, I joined the junior football (soccer) squad and improved my game each year thereafter – playing for a total of 13 years.

I made 2014 Grade and Murrumba State Secondary College Football Academy Captain, holding the position of one of 3 football academy captains until the year 2018 when I graduated both college and the Football Academy Foundation. During 2017, I was invited to play for the Australian Futsal Association, the same year we made 2017 National Futsal Championships Champions. During these years, I obtained both Community Coaching and Refereeing Certificates. Along with being a Personal Trainer, I am also a qualified Rope Course Instructor for the local youth centre, working with children and people with disabilities.

Dianne

Administrator

As the administrator at Striders, I enjoy meeting and working with all the wonderful people who come through our doors. I’m here to help with any questions you may have along the way. I have always been an active person from as far back as I can remember, and over the years with Striders, I have gained an even deeper appreciation for exercise and healthy eating.

The greatest part about being at Striders is joining with people on their journeys, going through the ups and downs, and seeing the transformations that take place, not just physically, but also emotionally. You see people start to believe in themselves, and really have fun with their lives, and watching that spread throughout the studio onto their families is very rewarding.

For me, Striders is like a big family, we all come together and support each other, laugh with each other, and sometimes cry. But that’s what life is – a great learning and growing experience, and I love sharing that with others.