Candidate Profiles

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Andrew Simmons

Anna Liptak Dr Simon Lew Edwina Griffin Hamish Johnston

Justin McDonell Peter Annis-Brown

Steve Little Stuart Greaves Tony De Leede

Andrew Simmons Vision Personal Training

Reason for nominating As a current Fitness Australia board member, I would like to continue with the great progress we have made as the Board in setting the 2020 strategy and assisting the Fitness Australia team in delivering it. I am passionate about raising the standards of the industry and really want to help the industry grow. Due to my extensive experience on the coal face, I understand what Fitness Australia members and registrants want. I believe that the Fitness Industry plays a key role in preventative health and would like to assist in helping government see this. Areas in particular include FBT exemptions, health fund rebates, flexible workplace employment rules to suit the industry and stronger relationships with allied health.

Management and/or governance experience I run a network of 58 studios and am required to abide by many Franchising rules and regulations

including governance around Marketing funds, Training Funds and Leadership Councils. As a

member of Young Presidents Organisation I have also been exposed the inner workings of many of

Australia's largest Corporate businesses. My current Fitness Australia Board experience has also

been invaluable.

Fitness industry experience Since 1995 I have worked in most areas of the Fitness Industry including reception, gym floor

programming, Aerobics, Circuit and indoor cycling instructing, Les Mills National Trainer, Personal

Trainer in studios, corporate health and gyms, Lecturer at UNSW in Exercise Science, Presenter for

Network, Australian Institute of Fitness, presenter at FILEX for 20 years and FITEX in New Zealand as

well as IHRSA in the USA.

What is your vision for the fitness industry? To be seen as a profession not just an industry. To receive Health Care rebates for wider fitness

offerings, to be seen as a viable solution to the diabesity epidemic. To bridge the gap between

qualifications and In Fitness and Exercise Physiologists.

What can you contribute to Fitness Australia and the fitness industry as

a director? A broad understanding and experience in many areas of the industry. A great understanding of the

views of EP's and new Trainers. Passion and commitment to keep evolving the Industry. As a

member of the Franchise Council of Australia and Young Presidents Organisation I can also share

many great practices of many leading Australian Businesses.

Why should Business Members vote for you? They should vote for me as I am currently extremely involved and active as a current Board Member.

I understand the current position of the organisation and about passionate about continuing the

work we have done. My experience, dedication and passion for wanting the industry to grow,

improve member services and member engagement, make me an ideal person to represent Fitness

Professionals on the Board.

Anna Liptak His and Her Time

Reason for nominating I have worked in the fitness industry for over twelve years and prior to this, I worked in a number of marketing roles. I have received official recognition from my peers in the fitness industry, but nothing comes close to the individual and group accomplishments which I have witnesses. I understand and value the objectives of Fitness Australia which overall has determined to raise Industry Standards relating to health and fitness by way of coordinated research and information dissemination. I am confident that I could contribute and would value greatly the opportunity to impact on a larger audience, such as the thirty thousand members of Fitness Australia.

Management and/or governance experience With over 12 years’ experience In the Fitness Industry, with core strengths in the area of experience

business development, marketing, and communication. I am an extremely innovative professional

with a proven track record of progressive accomplishments. I have built a successful fitness business

and have good problem solving skills. I have successfully implemented hundreds of marketing

campaigns and events and produced enviable results of increased customer engagement and sales

growth.

I have managed His and Her Time Health and Fitness successfully for the past twelve years.

In 2015/2016 I was the President of the Plympton Flyers Little Athletics Club. Over this period,

membership of the club doubled.

Prior to this, I managed the Melbourne Office for Augment Communications, a national marketing

and events company. I also opened and managed the Augment Communications Office in the

Northern Territory.

I am extremely confident in my ability to manage.

Fitness industry experience I have lectured for the Australian Institue of Fitness in the External Marketing component of the

course and have conducted short workshops for Recreation SA.

As mentioned above, I have run an extremely successful business, His and Her Time Health and

Fitness and entered many national and International events completing over 50 half marathons and

fifteen full marathons.

His and Her Time has recently commissioned three promotional videos. These can be viewed at and

will give further insight into the different arms of His and Her Time Health and Fitness:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/dwtib1xga4mdh7g/AACx9EDYPcWO7D2r0wO8ufBba?dl=0. To date,

these videos have only had Facebook exposure. Nevertheless, even this limited medium has provide

many new enquiries. In due course, depending on availability of funds, it is planned to promulgate

these more widely. Following the recent Facebook exposure, all the "Group Outdoor Fitness

Programs" are now filled, (before the Facebook exposure, the Programs were only 75% filled). The

"Adventure Time" video was recently released, advertising His and Her Time's new Event Campaign,

which offers participation in the New York Marathon, 2018.

Within two hours of releasing this promotion on Facebook, twenty tickets to the event were booked.

Additionally, "The Healthy Habits Challenge for March 2017" was completely filled following the

release. In a very short space of time, these videos have succeeded and as yet, as mentioned, have

not been released to the general market. The potential of their impact could prove to be very

significant.

What is your vision for the fitness industry? With obesity and chronic disease now at a world-wide crisis point, the World Health Organisation

estimates that up to 80% of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes, and more than one-third of

cancers worldwide, could be prevented by eliminating smoking, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity

and the harmful use of alcohol.

Although we have more Doctors, treatments, medicines than ever before, our world today is sicker

than it has been. One in every 11 person now has a chronic disease, with a large percentage of these

diseases preventable by way of exerc1se and nutrition.

As the developed countries are currently suffering a significant downturn in general health the

opportunity is ripe for the Fitness Industry to show leadership in promulgating the benefits of

preventative medicine as opposed to symptomatic medicine, which is proving to be grossly

inadequate in dealing with the present health crisis.

Conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer and arthritis (including injuries which contribute

to chronic disease) can be prevented, or delayed, by addressing lifestyle factors, such as poor diet

and insufficient exercise, and by better management of conditions, such as high blood pressure and

obesity.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics National Health Survey: First Results, 2014- 15

Overweight and Obesity is now affecting 63% of the Australian Adult population and 25% of

Children. Overweight and obesity is the second highest contributor to the diseases mentioned

(smoking being the third). The Challenge for the Fitness Industry is to effectively educate the

populace regarding the Importance of wholesome "back to basics" nutrition and the importance of

moving.

My vision for the fitness industry is to empower, educate and provide opportunities for all to to

enjoy moving and to value a healthy lifestyle, which includes good nutrition and self-respect.

What can you contribute to Fitness Australia and the fitness industry as

a director? With over 12 years’ experience in the Fitness Industry, with core strengths in the area of Fitness

Australia business development, marketing, and communication. I am an extremely innovative

professional with a proven track record of progressive accomplishments. I have built a successful

fitness business and have strong problem solving skills. I have successfully implemented hundreds of

marketing campaigns and events and produced enviable results reflected by increased customer

engagement and sales growth.

I have been an active participant in sport and fitness for my entire life. I have a desire for the

industry to engage with increasing numbers of people to encourage and support participation in

regular exercise and other services, which will, without a doubt, improve their wellbeing. Now is the

time to act decisively.

Why should Business Members vote for you? I am a passionate advocate of Health and Fitness, which I have clearly demonstrated by my complete

involvement in the field. Together with my formal qualifications in Business and Marketing, I can

contribute in many ways to this growing field enormously. To date I have successfully assisted

hundreds of people to attain and surpass their goals. Happiness is key to motivating people to move

and undertake fitness activities. While health and fitness programs trade in a range of fairly obvious

problems: the effects of unhealthy lifestyles; obesity; dissatisfaction with bodily appearance, and so

on; my key concept of health and fitness is somewhat at variance with these. My core trade is

happiness. Finding contentment less in how one's body looks, and more in its capabilities is the

cornerstone of personal happiness. By encouraging clients to prioritise their own happiness, it

encourages health and well-being. Benefits flow on, not just to individuals, but to their families and

communities. When one feels good about oneself, when one's day includes physical challenges and

successes, most tend to feel better about everything else. Happy, contented people smile and the

world smiles back! I would greatly value the opportunity to become a Board Member of Fitness

Australia and thereby become more effective in spreading the word of the benefits of fitness.

Edwina Griffin Fitmum & Fitwomen

Reason for nominating I have been involved in the industry for 22 years and it has grown significantly, so I think there are huge opportunities for our industry and I would like to be involved in the strategic direction of our industry. We are a young industry therefore I see the current timing as crucial for the fitness industry to ensure the best reach and to try to also ensure high standards are established and maintained amongst fitness professionals. I would love the opportunity to work with like-minded professionals to establish good strategic direction and planning.

Management and/or governance experience I have managed my business and team for over 20 years and the past 6 years have involved

strategic, management roles in franchise companies. I have consulted to local councils with change

management programs and leadership training along with communication/conflict resolution

training programs that I have designed.

I am currently being contracted to both local and state governments in management roles to run

programs for women.

Fitness industry experience I have worked in the fitness industry for over 20 years, running and managing my business, training

my staff and for the past 6 years working for franchises and consulting to local and state government

in contract roles.

I current train business owners in business planning, marketing, fitness technique and I train other

companies and councils in negotiation, leadership and change management therefore my

experience has been both as a fitness professional, trainer in sales, leadership and conflict resolution

and as a manager of teams.

What is your vision for the fitness industry? My vision is to establish better partnerships, an industry which is more supportive of peers and

encourages partnerships and healthy, positive cultures. Ensuring quality control for fitness

professionals is also an area needing focus, as the industry continues to expand and niches enter the

fitness industry. The fitness industry is now recognising the mind-body connection and with that

brings an array of different speciality areas to be recognised, offered and managed professionally.

What can you contribute to Fitness Australia and the fitness industry as

a director? My background includes roles in many different areas of our industry. I have experience as a

business owner, as someone managing a franchise group, as a trainer in leadership, conflict

resolution and change management and as a trainer in women's health and as a contractor and

partner with local and state governments. I have worked in government, franchise networks and

small business settings and I continue to do so. I am also involved in mediating conflict in the fitness

industry through my mediation and negotiation business.

Why should Business Members vote for you? I am passionate about empowering our industry and establishing a more inclusive, supportive

culture. I give 200% to everything I do and I would love to be involved with a team of motivated

leaders to make a difference in our industry. Thank you for considering me!

Hamish Johnston Tastelife

Reason for nominating I have an interest in being a part of the conversation in advocating for improved health outcomes within the fitness industry

Management and/or governance experience Current senior role with the world’s largest catering and integrated services provider

Previous CEO roles with two state sporting associations.

Currently sit on an audit and risk committee at university WA and a Working Party on Mental Health

for the Chamber of Minerals and Energy (WA)

Fitness industry experience Aquatic Centre Ops - 5years

Major event operations - 8years

Athlete training - 5years

Facility management - 12years

Strategic - 5years

What is your vision for the fitness industry? Improved education outcomes for fitness educators, and tighter regulations around registered

trainers’ qualifications and advertised skills.

What can you contribute to Fitness Australia and the fitness industry as

a director? A level of oversight from the perspective of major corporate Australia, particularly from the mining,

oil and gas sector (i.e Chevron, BHP, Rio Tinto, Woodside, INPEX). With respect to my employment

with Compass Group, where I engage not only at a National level, but also with global reach.

Why should Business Members vote for you? I have a level of representation for an at-risk population (FIFO remote workforce) that is influenced

and affected by the fitness industries strategies, trends and advocation.

Justin McDonell Anytime Fitness

Reason for nominating As the fitness industry continues to grow and evolve, I feel I can add to the long term vision of where the industry is heading. I travel extensively within Australia, the UK and USA and feel that I have a good idea of what is happening on both Australia and around the world.

Management and/or governance experience As a franchisor, we operate under strict legal governance and adhere to franchise laws. We need to

manage and reinforce to our franchisees daily the relevance of systems and compliance when

needed.

Fitness industry experience I have worked in family operated health clubs in the 90s, worked for multi-site and single site

operators, owned 2 Fernwood Women's health club franchises. Owned several Anytime Fitness

franchises in Australia, NZ and the UK.

What is your vision for the fitness industry? To see more and more Australians take part in fitness; to ensure we offer great facilities and services

across the entire country and not just the big cities; we tap into the increasing number of people

who are members of health clubs to improve the quality of life of those Australians. People must

move and they must do some form of resistance training. We should move towards an exercise

based solution to many of the country's health problems, instead of a medicated solution.

What can you contribute to Fitness Australia and the fitness industry as

a director? I have great listening skills, am a strategic thinker and can make quick decisions if reassured. I have

the ability to look at the big picture and feel I can have input into building that picture.

Why should Business Members vote for you? I grew up in the fitness industry with my parents owning a health club in the early 80s. I have a

wealth of experience in several components of the industry and hope to think I am at the forefront

of what's moving forward in the industry. I understand that the general public generally doesn't love

exercise but a large portion believes they need to do something. It's our role to make it more inviting

for those people and build the industry through many layers of offerings. There is such a large

opportunity ahead of us.

Peter Annis-Brown TheHealthyMate

Reason for nominating My vision aligns with Fitness Australia which is to help, engage and educate people to lead a more active and healthy lifestyle, not just individually but also as a national community.

Management and/or governance experience Bank Manager (ANZ bank- 1995-1998)

CEO of the Northern Inland Academy of Sport (NIAS) 15 years (1998-2013)

Director of Regional Academies of Sport 10 years (2004-2013)

Chairman of NIAS4Life Foundation (2015- current)

Director of Rural Fit Pty Ltd

Director of Health Team Australia Pty Ltd

Founder of TheHealthyMate, ManageHealth, ManageSport

Community Grants committee member for the State MP for Tamworth and Federal MP of New

England (2015-16)

Fitness industry experience Directly involved at the coal face with an allied health company for last 3.5 years as practitioner and

also owner/ director. 21 years actively involved in sport, fitness, sport science and athlete

development. 9 years as a qualified Certificate IV in Fitness. 3 years as campus director and mentor

for Australian Institute of Personal Trainers. 15 years as CEO of regional sporting academy which also

allowed me to assist at a grass roots coaching level in athletic coaching and sports science testing

and analysis for academy athletes in collaboration with the Sydney Academy of Sport and NSW

Institute of Sport.

What is your vision for the fitness industry? My vision for the fitness industry is a continued focus on Australians to be more proactive about

their preventative health and wellbeing and to see an increased collaboration between allied health,

doctors and fitness professionals.

What can you contribute to Fitness Australia and the fitness industry as

a director? I believe due to my rural and remote upbringing I am understanding of the many barriers people

face to optimal fitness and wellbeing. My passion and belief that we can use exercise as medicine for

both physical and mental wellbeing along with my skill set, qualifications, experience and network

connections across business, sport, fitness and government domains I can contribute to the

continued growth, profile and development of Fitness Australia.

Why should Business Members vote for you? Due to my background, experience in running and owning my own allied health and preventative

health coaching and Sport businesses I am understanding of the challenges and also opportunities

that are available to grow sustainable businesses that are contributing to educating people to be

proactive and preventative with their health and wellbeing.

Dr Simon Lew Dr Simon Lew Fitness

Reason for nominating I would be an ideal match for your position of Director because of my experience and transferable skills as a health services manager. I have a firm understanding of the risk and corporate governance in the healthcare industry landscape and its drivers. I am passionate about championing community sport and participation with my martial arts teaching and St Vincent De Paul volunteer work. I have over 17 years’ experience teaching martial arts, and 5 years teaching group fitness. The ideals of Fitness Australia resonate with my own: to service its members, and to engage more people in regular exercise that will improve their wellbeing. I am of good standing with all regulatory and membership bodies of which my referees can attest to. I also have goodwill toward Fitness Australia and the success of the body. I would enjoy having the opportunity to speak with you more regarding this position and how I could utilise my skills to benefit the Fitness Australia Board.

Management and/or governance experience Completed Australian Institute Company Directors Directorship Foundations studies – July 2016

Broad and in-depth experience in young adult and youth well-being and physical fitness training

as a certified fitness instructor.

Elected executive board director of Australian Taekwondo - the peak Australian Sports

Commission membership body representing Taekwondo athletes in Australia.

MBA (Lean, TQM, 6 Sigma) qualified strategy advisor to the Chief Financial Officer, Director

Dental Services and General Managers of Ancillary Services, Marketing, and Business

Improvement at HCF.

Member of HCF's Clinical Advisory Committee and clinical leadership group; influencing and

implementing business operations and clinical operations strategies of HCF.

Entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial experience in leveraging market insights into profitable new

service lines resulting in successful P&L from $314,000 loss in 2008 to $810,000 profit in 2016.

Successful eight year P&L record – increasing revenue volumes from $3.0 Million to $5.3 Million.

Stabilising operating expenses from 113% of revenue in 2008 to 85% of revenue in 2016 –an

improvement of 28%.

Increasing patient attendance volumes from 10,400 in 2008 to 21,000 in 2016.

Stabilising core staff retention. Only 8% turnover since 2008.

Instrumental in achieving and maintaining compliance of HCF's Dental Centre Network, and

certification for ISO 9001/2009.

Extensive expertise in healthcare service delivery optimisation, and the Private Health Insurance

environment.

Fitness industry experience Over 17 years as a martial arts instructor, and 5 years as a group fitness instructor.

What is your vision for the fitness industry? I believe a Director of Fitness Australia Board needs to have an engaging and collaborative

leadership style, superior community health passion, belief in high quality service provision in the

fitness and health industry, Australian community fitness health industry vision, and experience in

community service and advocacy. I pride myself in being able to deliver these goals for the role of

Director, with the skills and experience gained at my current roles as Director –Australian

Taekwondo, Assistant Instructor at Spirit Taekwondo and Clinical Manager/Dentist in Charge at HCF

– Australia’s largest NFP health insurer.

What can you contribute to Fitness Australia and the fitness industry as

a director? I would be an ideal match for your position of Director because of my experience and transferable

skills as a health services manager. I have a firm understanding of the risk and corporate governance

in the healthcare industry landscape and its drivers. I am passionate about championing community

sport and participation with my martial arts teaching and St Vincent De Paul volunteer work.

Why should Business Members vote for you? I believe a Director of Fitness Australia Board needs to have an engaging and collaborative

leadership style, superior community health passion, belief in high quality service provision in the

fitness and health industry, Australian community fitness health industry vision, and experience in

community service and advocacy.

Steve Little Trend Fitness

Reason for nominating My passion for fitness, health and general wellbeing is very much my life. I am always talking to people either as individuals or groups about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle through fitness and day to day living. Most of the 600+ members we have at the club have joined due to the conversations with me when they first come to our club for a look around. I understand people and talk to anyone with ease, I feel I have a certain way that makes people feel reassured that fitness and health is what is needed by all and the benefits of it.

Management and/or governance experience Training Manager for National Transport Company (2.5yrs)

Senior Sales & Marketing Manager for a training RTO. (4.5yrs)

On the Governing Council Mount Compass SA (2015)

Club owner/director-Trend Fitness last 2 Years

Fitness industry experience (Troop) Physical Training Instructor (Australian Army) (8yrs)

Personal Trainer (Self-employed) (4yrs)

Club General Manager for Goodlife, (7mths)

Club General Manager for Spa Clubs, (3mths)

Senior supervisor for Aldinga & Seaford Recreation Centre’s. (4mths)

Owner of Trend Fitness Club (2015-current)

What is your vision for the fitness industry? To assist people through education and training to ensure a happy healthy life, to prolong life

through a healthy and active lifestyle not diets and fads. I have seen many changes in the fitness

industry over the 25+ years I have been around it. From exercise modifications to diet and training

fads to poor training from PT’s and clubs/gyms. I want to be able to ensure the industry is kept safe

for all people who are utilizing trainers, coaches’ nutritionists etc. and ensure they are not given

incorrect information by poorly trained or unknowledgeable trainers that do not know what they

should be, or need to be doing from their own training point of view. To passing on information to

clients, staff or members that is either incorrect or even worse dangerous to the health and

wellbeing of people

What can you contribute to Fitness Australia and the fitness industry as

a director? I believe that my passion and experience would be an asset to Fitness Australia and to its members

as I am very much a person that believes in quality, training and customer service that is a

requirement by any person in this industry. I am able to communicate with all levels of people from

individual clients to CEO’s of major corporations, to small and large groups of members/clients to

ensure that policies and procedures designed to protect and assist the members, PT’s and business

owners involved in Fitness Australia have a connection and a person who is passionate and believes

in the industry in Australia and here in South Australia. I believe that being a part of Fitness Australia

as a director I would prove an asset and a person for the members that would assist in the industry

moving forward in a direction that offers stability, quality and assurance. That members have

directors that are there to do a job for the businesses and members that are a part of Fitness

Australia and for the industry itself.

Why should Business Members vote for you? I feel that my experience and attention to customer service and quality is an asset that would place

me in good stead for a position as a director within Fitness Australia. I believe that I am a person of

integrity and that fitness is my life and I will do everything I can to ensure the integrity and quality is

kept to a high standard and improved to offer its members the best possible Industry organization

that is not just a name but an organization that is there to help.

Stuart Greaves Witness the Fitness

Reason for nominating I feel I have much to contribute to the organization in terms of what is currently happening in the industry from trends in training, to the evolution of the fitness business, to the current state of AQTF education, and to industry's perception of itself. I work on the coal face daily in many capacities and have numerous links to key players within the industry which gives me a unique insight into what is happening in 'fitness land'. My passion is to educate, train and develop fitness professionals to be successful in their field by providing the tools, skills and knowledge to do so. To provide the board and its members’ opinion and advice based on over 15 years having worked at ground level in practically every area of the Fitness Industry.

Management and/or governance experience Regional Manager- Fitness First WA: 2004-2010

Member on the Board of Management- Fitness WA: 2007-2009

Member WA Regional Industry Council - Fitness Australia: 2009-2011

Fitness industry experience Over 15 years in the Fitness Industry having worked as a fitness professional, business owner,

manager and mentor of fitness professionals, voluntary service for both Fitness WA and Fitness

Australia, voluntary work for charity run community sporting events, voluntary speaker at Fitness

Conventions, educator of fitness, sport & business in both private and public RTOs

What is your vision for the fitness industry? To be recognized by the wider community as the primary provider of services to the community in

the prevention of lifestyle related diseases.

To be recognized by Government and Health Departments as a valuable and integral factor in

disease prevention

To have fitness programs available to and for all Australians regardless of their ethnicity, age, socio-

economic status, or physical and/or mental impairment

What can you contribute to Fitness Australia and the fitness industry as

a director? Honest and constructive opinion and solutions on how to best address the issues that the Fitness

Industry faces both today, and in the future.

Why should Business Members vote for you? Because the industry needs a representative who has worked at ground level for a long period, and

who understands the main issues that its members face day to day.

Because a National Industry Peak Body needs national representation.

Because my passion is to raise standards of education and training for the industry, and rather than

just complain about it, I have made it my career to contribute towards achieving it

Tony De Leede Fit n Fast

Reason for nominating I have the background and experience in many of the big issues that our industry is facing.

Management and/or governance experience Have founded and operated at least 6 different fitness related businesses. Ex board member of

IHRSA. Current board member of Global Well ness Association.

Fitness industry experience I am a native of Sydney’s beach suburb of Cronulla and left school at the age of 15 in pursuit of work

and experience in the business world. My entry into the business world began with a stamp trading

business which I started at the age of 12 whilst at school. This was followed by a surfboard shop (aged

16) and at age 18, my mother and I started a clothing importing business bringing in clothes from Bali,

Philippines and various parts of Asia into Australia. I also had a number of retail stores that after a

couple of years of struggling, the business took off and was extremely profitable for the next 6 to 8

years. This enabled me to make numerous commercial and residential real estate investments.

In 1981 at the age of 27, I decided to take a year off and travel. After arriving in Atlanta for what

should have been two weeks, for many reasons it became the beginning of my move into fitness and

I subsequently stayed in Atlanta for 20 years. I founded Australian Body Works (ABW) in 1982 and by

2000, he had expanded my health club group to a total of 23 clubs.

Whilst continuing to run my group of health clubs, I started Cardio Theatre Holdings™ in 1989 and

introduced the concept of “Exercise Entertainment” to the international fitness industry. In 1997 I

merged Cardio Theatre with ClubCom (a media/content business that works inside the fitness

industry) and the Cardio Theatre/ClubCom business was sold to Precor in 2002.

A true ambassador to the international fitness industry, I was appointed ‘envoy’ to the Australian

Olympic Team for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta and was also responsible for designing, building

and staffing the first ever Olympic Village Health Club. I was the Olympic Village manager at the 2000

Sydney Olympic Games.

The year 2000 was a year of ‘negotiations’ for me. Not only did I negotiate the sale of my 23 strong

ABW health club group in Atlanta to LA Fitness, I also helped negotiate the purchase of the insolvent

Healthland Australia Group by Fitness First Plc. Upon finalising the purchase, I took an ownership

position and returned to my native Australia to become Partner and CEO of Fitness First Australia.

Under my 8 year tenure as CEO, the group grew from 11 to 88 clubs. When I retired (and handed to

my successor) the Fitness First Australia group was not only the stand out performer for Fitness First

globally but also one of the best performing larger health club groups in the world. When I handed

over, the group had a 37% EBITDA on all clubs and a 42% EBITDA on mature clubs.

In addition to managing Fitness First, I also successfully launched two other Australian businesses. The

first a 500 acre ‘Lifestyle Retreat’ called Gwinganna (www.gwinganna.com) which opened in 2005.

The second a media company called Active Media Group (AMG) providing alternative advertising

mediums for both local and national businesses. I sold my AMG business to Fitness First in December

2008.

After leaving Fitness First, I embarked on my current fitness club adventure called Fit n Fast with the

first club opening in June 2010. Fit n Fast is a brand of budget/time efficient clubs with the initial

theme of ‘Cheaper – Better – Faster’. As the budget space rapidly became very crowded, I decided to

branch out into the boutique space and I’m currently evolving the business into various boutique

brands.

In 2011 I opened a new ‘blue sky’ concept called Hotel Komune – a surf retreat/yoga/wellness resort

brand in Bali and Coolangatta www.komuneresorts.com – this unique active lifestyle resort brand

continues to grow rapidly.

Finally in February 2016 I acquired a significant interest in Somadome. This new product/concept can

be broadly described as a ‘meditation pod’ which I believe will have tremendous relevance in the

stressed world we live in today http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LN0Nwo0_pXk&sns=em.

Meditation is rapidly evolving as a must-do in order to deal with the issues surrounding us in the world

today. The applications for this meditation pod are endless. I’m also working on an Uber model of

distribution/usage for this pod under what I call ‘Adopt a Dome’.

What can you contribute to Fitness Australia and the fitness industry as

a director? I think my knowledge and varied experience in varied businesses will be very helpful.