Exercise Physiology

 

Esme Soan
Principal Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP, AES, ESSAM)
Director at Pear Exercise Physiology
Women's Health Media Expert (ESSA)
Director at The Women's Health Collective / Speaker
Cancer Exercise Specialist (Ex-MED Cancer)
International Women's Day Award Winner 2018

Special Interest Areas
Pregnancy, Chronic Pelvic Pain, Prolapse, DRAM Rehab, Breast and Gynaecological Cancer Rehab, POTS & Hypermobility

Esme is passionate about working with women, helping improve the care that women receive through pregnancy, early postpartum, in rehabilitation, after cancer and in chronic pain management.

Esme opened Pear Exercise Physiology in 2014 to provide specialist exercise physiology services in women’s health in Brisbane. She has now grown her vision to include multidiscplinary services to further support Brisbane women with their health goals.

When she isn’t seeing clients, Esme is the Director of The Women’s Health Collective, where she promotes & teaches allied health education in all aspects of Women’s Health. She is also the Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) Women’s Health Media Expert. Through both of these roles Esme is actively involved in teaching and presenting across Australia with a range of institutions.
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When Esme isn't working (she is a typical Capricorn) she loves bush walking, riding her bike (to get coffee) and looking after her house plants!

Annika Coyne 
Women's Health Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP, AES, ESSAM)
Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology
Cancer Exercise Specialist (Ex-MED Cancer)

Special Interest Areas
Postnatal Recovery, DRAM Rehabilitation, Prolapse, Return to Intensity Exercise (Running), Complex Musculoskeletal Rehab

​Annika is an enthusiastic Exercise Physiologist with a passion for Women’s Health. She supports all women by educating better understanding and management of their condition and lifestyle, whilst restoring and optimising physical function through exercise. 

​Annika has experience working with pelvic floor dysfunction, abdominal separation,  pre and post-natal, pelvic and lower back pain. She also has a special interest in musculoskeletal rehabilitation with a range of experience working with pre and post operative management, injury prevention and rehab and general upper and lower extremity muscular dysfunctions.

Annika's love of sport and exercise is what drives her passion for health & wellbeing. In her free time you'll find her on the soccer field or catching up with friends with an activity - biking, hiking, walking & talking!

Amanda Ravenswood (On Maternity Leave til 2022)
Women's Health Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP, AES, ESSAM)
Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology
Cancer Exercise Specialist (Ex-MED Cancer)
Pilates Instructor

​Special Interest Areas
Postnatal Recovery, Cancer Rehabilitation, Chronic Disease Management (Diabetes, Heart Disease, Osteoarthritis), Hydrotherapy

Amanda loves all things women’s health including pre, during and post pregnancy conditions, rehabilitation following cancer treatment, prevention, treatment and management of chronic conditions including back pain, arthritis, diabetes, heart conditions. She is Pilates trained and prior to her AEP career, she spent nine years working as a Recreation Officer with children who had physical disabilities.
 
Amanda is a strong advocate for women prioritising their health and well-being to be the happiest, healthiest and strongest version of themselves. She loves encouraging, educating and working with women to help them understand the importance of looking after their minds and bodies through the use of safe, evidenced-based exercise. Amanda enjoys leading group specific classes, providing women with an environment where they can exercise comfortably together, while undertaking a progressive program enabling them to reach their individual goals.

Amanda joins Pear with five years of experience running her own practice on Brisbane's southside.

Elisha Silcox
Women's Health Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP, AES, ESSAM)
Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology
Cancer Exercise Specialist (Ex-MED Cancer)
QLD Ambassador The Women's Health Collective 

Special Interest Areas
Endometriosis, Chronic Pain, Chronic Fatigue (ME), Return to Intensity Exercise, Osteoporosis & Eating Disorders.
 
Elisha’s interest in the human body developed with her experiences as an athlete and coach in her chosen sport of rowing. She completed her Bachelor degree in 2014 and has developed a passion for Women’s Health whilst working in private practice.

Elisha has extensive experience working with complex musculoskeletal disorders, chronic pain and eating disorders. Having worked with girls and women from a variety of movement backgrounds, Elisha highly values the importance of individualisation. She loves working with you to find how movement can enhance your overall health. 
 
Elisha understands the power of knowledge both for clients and practitioners. This has led her to deliver continuing education courses for other practitioners in the area of Women’s Health. She loves being involved in the Women’s Health Collective, creating resources and networking with other professionals in the field.
 
When she’s not in the studio, you’ll find Elisha moving her body outdoors, running trails, exploring river walks and seeking out Brisbane’s best cappuccino.

Jess Vincent
Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP, AES, ESSAM)
Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology, Bachelor of Health Science (Sports & Exercise Science)
Diploma of Remedial Massage
Exercise Right for Active Ageing - Program Provider 
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Special Interest Areas
Active Ageing and Falls Prevention, Chronic Disease Management, Postnatal Recovery, Return to Intensity Exercise (Powerlifting)
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Jess has spent the last eight years working and studying within health science, gaining experience with a variety of clientele from strength and endurance athletes, acute rehabilitation, chronic health and ageing populations.
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Jess has a passion for women’s health, finding joy from helping woman of all ages feel strong and confident within their own bodies. Being a mother of two young girls herself, Jess strives to help other woman experience the many benefits that exercise and a healthy lifestyle can have for women pre and post-natal, including improved mood states, energy levels, and body confidence.

Jess’s background in sport includes soccer, touch football, rugby union and representing Australia in powerlifting. From these experiences, Jess has developed a sharp eye for technique and ensures all clients she works with are confident with basic movement patterns before progressing exercises, to avoid injury and set the foundations for optimal strength and function.

Georgia Ferguson
Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP, AES, ESSAM)
Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology
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Special Interest Areas
Pregnancy, Postnatal Recovery, Cancer Rehabilitation, Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s Disease, Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation 

Georgia is passionate about wholistic health and wellbeing, is an advocate for exercise as medicine and has an absolute love for all things Women’s Health. She loves working with women throughout pregnancy, assisting them to maintain a healthy lifestyle for both mum and bub before and after birth.

Georgia also has a special interest in exercise during/post cancer treatment and enjoys working with different neurological conditions, including multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, stroke patients and dementia, as well as chronic conditions including back pain, diabetes, arthritis, and heart conditions. 

Georgia discovered Pilates during her own rehabilitation journey and believes it should be a part of everyone’s weekly routine. She is Pilates trained and loves using the equipment to create muscle length and strength to create a stable foundation for the body.

With a strength and conditioning background, Georgia loves lifting weights. When she is not in the studio, you’ll find Georgia hitting up Brisbane’s newest cafes and restaurants or going for walks with friends to enjoy the outdoors!

Georgia White
Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP, AES, ESSAM)
Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology
Currently completing Postgraduate studies in Exercise Medicine Oncology. 
Cancer Exercise Specialist (Ex-MED Cancer)
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Special Interest Areas
Oncology Rehabilitation, Pregnancy, Postnatal Recovery, POP, DRAM, Parkinson's Disease, Stroke, Multiple Sclerosis, Cerebral Palsy, Spinal Cord Injuries 

Noticing a major gap in the rehabilitative space of Women’s Health and Oncology, Georgia became passionate in providing support and care for people within these areas. She believes in de-stigmatising Women’s Health conditions and wants there to be no barriers in accessing treatment. She is currently completing postgraduate studies in Exercise Medicine Oncology.  
Georgia takes particular interest in treating conditions/side effects such as pre and post-natal, POP, DRAM, PCOS, Endometriosis, during/post-cancer fatigue, peripheral neuropathy, atrophy, cachexia, body image concerns and many more. Georgia also has an interest in neurological disorders.  
Outside of work, Georgia loves hitting up the gym/her favourite Pilates studio as well as playing the piano, TRL (touch rugby league) and sourcing out Brissy’s best cocktail!   

Riley Dunn
Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP, AES, ESSAM)
Master of Medical Research (Medical Science) Candidate 
Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology  
Diploma of Remedial Massage  
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Special Interest Areas
Oncology Treatment Management and Rehabilitation, Fatigue Syndromes, Chronic Pain, POTS, Mental Health, Musculoskeletal Rehab, Return to Running 

Riley’s goal is to empower her clients in how to use exercise and movement to help treat and manage their health concerns. She is passionate about helping clients find their exercise ‘niche’ and ensuring that healthy movement choices fit in with their lifestyle and goals.  
Riley has special interests in exercise during and post cancer treatment (especially in gynae cancers), exercise therapy for fatigue syndromes, chronic pain management, and women’s invisible illnesses such as POTS and PCOS. Most importantly, she wants to ensure you leave your exercise sessions at Pear feeling equipped and confident to integrate healthy movement choices into your daily life! 
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Riley grew up in central Queensland playing tennis, touch football, and going for beach runs with her family. She’s had her own experiences in using exercise to navigate mental health concerns and currently loves going for walks with her chihuahua, doing some yoga, or hitting the gym. When she isn’t in the studio, she’ll be in the research lab working on her Masters project on how to improve the safety of exercise for people with cancer.  

Physiotherapy
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Sami Cattach 
Pelvic Health Physiotherapist, CPT-RES, APA & WHTA Member 
Bachelor of Physiotherapy 

Special Interest Areas
Pregnancy, Pelvic Floor Dysfunction, Prolapse, Postnatal Return to Exercise, Chronic Pelvic Pain

Sami is an Australian trained and registered physiotherapist who graduated with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy from the University of Queensland in 2010. Since then she has worked primarily in private practice with a focus on pelvic health and peri-natal care, providing education to pre and post-natal women, yoga teachers (including teachers in training), doctors and other health professionals.

She is one of only two practitioners in the world who is both a Pelvic Health Physiotherapist and Restorative Exercise Specialist as trained under Katy Bowman who inspired her love of natural, whole-body movement! 

Sami is incredibly passionate about raising awareness for women's pelvic health and loves any opportunity to educate mums (and mum-to-be's) and other health professionals. She had her first baby, a little boy, in 2018. Growing up, Sami participated in lots of different sports, including netball, waterpolo and swimming. While living in Canada she completely fell in love with snowboarding and hiking in the Rocky Mountains.

Patrice Todhunter 
Pelvic Health Physiotherapist
Bachelor of Physiotherapy, Member of APA & WHTA

Special Interest Areas
Hydrotherapy, Pregnancy, Postnatal Care, Pelvic Floor Dysfunction 

Patrice started her career as a physiotherapist working in Hydrotherapy treating a diverse range of patients including orthopaedic, musculoskeletal, neurological, antenatal and complex pain conditions. She has had a passion for women’s heath since graduating in 2016 and has dedicated the majority of her post-graduate training in this area. During this time Patrice has also become a mum herself which was a strong driver in motivating her to pursue a career in women’s health. Patrice feels strongly about a holistic approach to healthcare and believes in empowering her patients with knowledge and giving them the confidence to take charge of their health and achieve their wellness goals.
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Massage Therapy

Michelle Dornbusch 
Remedial Massage Therapist
Certified Pregnancy Massage Specialist (PMA)

Specialist Training 
Pregnancy, Labour Prep, Postnatal Recovery, Remedial Massage, Hot Stone, Myofascial Cupping.

Michelle is a Diploma qualified Remedial Massage Therapist and member of the Association of Massage and Myotherapy Australia. Completing her Diploma through TAFE NSW in 2004, Michelle was awarded "Massage Therapist of the Year".

Michelle's treatments focus on supporting women's health, well-being and balancing the body through massage therapy.

Remedial treatments are tailored individually to clients needs using a range of techniques including myofascial release, trigger points and myofascial cupping. As a Mum of two gorgeous girls Michelle knows first hand the changes that happen throughout pregnancy and beyond and the nurturing support needed to ease the discomforts. 

Courtney Burgin
Remedial Massage Therapist
Certified Pregnancy Massage Specialist (PMA)

Specialist Training 
Pregnancy, Postnatal Recovery, Remedial Massage, Myofascial Cupping

Courtney is a Diploma qualified remedial massage therapist with specialist training in pregnancy massage.
 
Courtney has always had a keen interest in health and fitness. With a  background in competitive sport at both national and international levels study in Massage Therapy was an ideal fit for her.
 
Being vision impaired, Courtney finds the hands-on nature of remedial massage works to her advantage.

​Courtney had her first child in January 2020, and has an ever growing interest in women's health and the benefits massage therapy can provide. 

Kayelene Baigent 
Remedial Massage Therapist
Certified Pregnancy Massage Specialist (PMA)

Specialist Training 
Pregnancy, Postnatal Recovery, Remedial Massage, Myofascial Cupping

Kayelene completed her Diploma of Remedial Massage at the Australian College of Sports Therapy in 2016 and holds a certificate in pregnancy massage from Pregnancy Massage Australia. 
 
Kayelene has worked with diverse clients across clinics in Melbourne and Brisbane and has also worked with athletes from the Reds and Queensland Ballet. Her passion however is in supporting women during their pregnancy and postpartum journey, a journey she now deeply understands through her own physical experience, having welcomed her first son in March 2021.
 
Kayelene’s treatments aim to relieve, balance and restore the body in a relaxed and nurtured environment.​

Clinical Nutrition
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Meredith East-Powell 
Clinical Nutritionist 
Bachelor of Health Science (Nutritional & Dietetic Medicine)

Special Interest Areas
Endometriosis, Digestive Issues, Food Intolerances, PCOS, Postnatal Depletion, Menopause, Weight Management 

Meredith believes food should be a source of pleasure, so her ethos is about teaching you how to eat in a way that suits your body and your lifestyle.

Meredith uses evidence-based nutrition practises combined with a wholefoods, food as medicine approach that’s tailored to the individual. Meredith also utilises nutraceuticals where needed to achieve optimal results. Meredith’s aim is to educate and empower her clients, so they can move forward with the knowledge and skills needed to maintain their health long-term.

While Meredith can treat all health conditions and loves working with people on preventative health, she has a special interest in women’s health and gut health.

 Admin Team 

Jessica Redmond

Bachelor of Naturopathy 
Admin hours Tues, Wed, Thurs

Jess joined the team in 2020 as a breath of fresh air, welcoming you to studio and multi tasking baby cuddles with admin work. Jess understands the process of being a client at Pear, having participated in Pregnancy & Mums and Bubs classes throughout her pregnancies. 

Imogen Ryan
Currently studying Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology at QUT
Admin hours Mon - Thursday

Imy is in her 3rd year of a Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology. Prior to this degree she studied Midwifery for one year at ACU which ignited a passion for women’s health, pregnancy and empowering women.

Imy welcomes everyone into the studio with a warm and friendly face, ready for a cuddle or play with your little one. She will support you through each step of the process here at Pear, helping to find the right practitioner for you and feel at ease during Mums & Bub's classes.

Outside of work you will find Imy working on her dried floral business (@bloom.with.im), camping, exploring national parks, creating cheese boards down at the beach, playing with her nieces and just about everything in between.