The Striders Family
Meet the 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.”
Favourite foods:
My favourite food is lasagne. But, I also enjoy growing and eating my own fruits and vegetables.
Favourite exercises:
My favourite exercise is T-Bar Rows. I love the feeling of working the back. It feels so different from the way other muscles feel when they are worked.
What I like to do during my free time:
On weekends I enjoy swimming, bike riding, and my most favourite place I enjoy going to is the beach. I’m a very active guy who enjoys the outdoors.
Favourite quote:
“We are always getting ready to live but never living”
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.
Favourite foods:
My favourite food is lasagne. But, I also enjoy growing and eating my own fruits and vegetables.
Favourite exercises:
My favourite exercise is T-Bar Rows. I love the feeling of working the back. It feels so different from the way other muscles feel when they are worked.
What I like to do during my free time:
On weekends I enjoy swimming, bike riding, and my most favourite place I enjoy going to is the beach. I’m a very active guy who enjoys the outdoors.
Favourite quote:
“We are always getting ready to live but never living”
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.
Favourite foods:
Tacos.
Favourite exercises:
Rear Squats – I love the full body workout this exercise gives.
What I like to do during my free time:
Play netball, watch and coach my kids sports. I love spending time with my family at the beach, jet skiing and camping.
Favourite quote:
“Believe in yourself and you will Be unstoppable”.
Favourite foods:
Tacos.
Favourite exercises:
Rear Squats – I love the full body workout this exercise gives.
What I like to do during my free time:
Play netball, watch and coach my kids sports. I love spending time with my family at the beach, jet skiing and camping.
Favourite quote:
“Believe in yourself and you will Be unstoppable”.
Favourite foods:
Sushi and pizza.
Favourite exercises:
My most favourite exercise is deadlifts. They can really take a person to their maximal effort, but they always give me a great feeling of accomplishment after.
What I like to do during my free time:
On weekends I enjoy going swimming, time at the beach, and spending time with friends.
Favourite quote:
“No one ever won a purple heart hiding in a fox hole”.
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.
Favourite foods:
Sushi and pizza.
Favourite exercises:
My most favourite exercise is deadlifts. They can really take a person to their maximal effort, but they always give me a great feeling of accomplishment after.
What I like to do during my free time:
On weekends I enjoy going swimming, time at the beach, and spending time with friends.
Favourite quote:
“No one ever won a purple heart hiding in a fox hole”.
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.
Favourite foods:
Sushi, Strawberries and Mulberries.
Favourite exercises:
Deadlifts – They work your whole body and gets your heart rate up. It’s a great exercise for muscle toning and calorie burning.
What I like to do during my free time:
I love walking my Border Collies: Kayla and Jack, and catching up with my friends. I’m also preparing to train again for Triathlons.
Favourite quote:
“When you feel like quitting, think about why you started.”
Favourite foods:
Sushi, Strawberries and Mulberries.
Favourite exercises:
Deadlifts – They work your whole body and gets your heart rate up. It’s a great exercise for muscle toning and calorie burning.
What I like to do during my free time:
I love walking my Border Collies: Kayla and Jack, and catching up with my friends. I’m also preparing to train again for Triathlons.
Favourite quote:
“When you feel like quitting, think about why you started.”
Favourite foods:
Sushi and grapes.
Favourite exercises:
I really enjoy deadlifts. They are one exercise that gives a total body workout. I feel like I’ve accomplished so much more after performing deadlifts than any other exercise.
What I like to do during my free time:
I often enjoy my weekends with my family and friends… They mean so much to me and I find these times very relaxing and fulfilling.
Favourite quote:
“The only time you should ever look back, is to see how far you have come”.
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.
Favourite foods:
Sushi and grapes.
Favourite exercises:
I really enjoy deadlifts. They are one exercise that gives a total body workout. I feel like I’ve accomplished so much more after performing deadlifts than any other exercise.
What I like to do during my free time:
I often enjoy my weekends with my family and friends… They mean so much to me and I find these times very relaxing and fulfilling.
Favourite quote:
“The only time you should ever look back, is to see how far you have come”.
Favourite foods:
Pizza and Thai Green Curry.
Favourite exercises:
Rear Squats because it targets different muscle groups if done in different ways.
What I like to do during my free time:
On weekends I enjoy playing sports like Baseball, Touch Football, Athletics and Netball. I love watching and coaching my children’s sport too. Free time is spent by the beach, fishing, jet skiing and camping with the family.
Favourite quote:
“You will never always be motivated. You have to learn to be disciplined”.
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.
Favourite foods:
Pizza and Thai Green Curry.
Favourite exercises:
Rear Squats because it targets different muscle groups if done in different ways.
What I like to do during my free time:
On weekends I enjoy playing sports like Baseball, Touch Football, Athletics and Netball. I love watching and coaching my children’s sport too. Free time is spent by the beach, fishing, jet skiing and camping with the family.
Favourite quote:
“You will never always be motivated. You have to learn to be disciplined”.
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.
