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Our journey began six years ago, shortly after we relocated from Melbourne to embrace a new life on the Sunshine Coast. At the time, I had just given birth to our third child and was navigating recovery from complications related to my third c-section. Meanwhile, Tom was overcoming burnout and addressing his health challenges; he had gained weight after shutting down his business in Melbourne and was dealing with severe knee osteoarthritis.
As Tom explored new career options, his background as an athlete inspired him to delve into health and human performance. He traveled to Los Angeles, where he trained with renowned big wave surfer Laird Hamilton, becoming Australia’s first extreme performance training coach. He further honed his skills through training with Wim Hof.
Embracing our new path, we purchased a mobile barrel sauna and inflatable ice baths—long before they gained popularity. After spotting an ad on the Noosa Community Noticeboard for a small room above a CrossFit gym, ActivateBody was born!
With my 23 years of clinical experience as a physiotherapist and a PhD in back pain research, combined with Tom’s personal journey managing chronic arthritis and his extensive background in high-level sport and exercise, we recognised a significant gap in the market. In Noosa, numerous gyms and Pilates studios catered to the fitness crowd, but there was a lack of supportive spaces for men and women over 35 who were looking to heal and strengthen themselves.
We identified our target demographic: individuals over 35 with injuries or chronic health conditions who understood the importance of exercise for recovery but felt intimidated by traditional gyms and uncertain about how to exercise safely on their own.
From those early days in our small studio in Sunshine Beach, we grew from a client base of zero to a bustling clinic offering physiotherapy and exercise services, with daily classes that became increasingly popular. Our breath, fire, and ice workshops also gained traction, leading us to establish the ActivateBody Way
Having outgrown our Sunshine Beach location, we made the move to a larger clinic and studio in Noosaville last year, just a stone’s throw from the picturesque Noosa River.
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Our motto is: Activate Body – Activate Life!
At ActivateBody, our mission is to deliver the highest quality physiotherapy, exercise programs, health coaching, and remedial massage. We aim to help our clients avoid surgery, regain function, develop a love for their bodies, and ultimately engage in the activities they enjoy—regardless of age. What sets us apart from our competitors is our focus on individuals over 35, a demographic often overlooked in the fitness industry. These clients understand the need for exercise but may not feel comfortable in traditional gym settings.
We strive to help our clients rediscover the joy of movement and strength while ensuring their conditions are respected and further injuries are prevented. Our success is reflected in the satisfaction of our clients. Witnessing them return to the activities they love—whether it’s skiing, surfing after an accident, or completing a half marathon—brings us immense joy!
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Noosa is a haven for those who lead active lifestyles, and the locals are committed to staying fit and healthy. At ActivateBody, we developed our approach not only to address our own injuries but also to support the well-being of our community. We genuinely practice what we preach!
We invest significant time in getting to know each of our clients. The client journey begins with a comprehensive 45-minute physiotherapy consultation, where we take the opportunity to understand their unique conditions and how these affect their lives. Listening is at the heart of our process.
Innovation drives us forward. Through Tom’s journey with osteoarthritis, we’ve explored natural remedies for arthritis and inflammation. This exploration led us to incorporate performance breathing techniques, ice baths, and saunas into our offerings for effective stress and pain management, alongside exercise therapy.
Additionally, I am trained in the GLAD Program, which focuses on exercise for knee and hip osteoarthritis. However, we recognized the need for a program that could help clients progress to higher fitness levels. As a result, we created our Strength, Mobility, and All-body Resistance Training program (SMART). This unique exercise regimen utilizes bands, weights, core stability, and balance, ensuring a safe, progressive approach tailored for individuals with sore joints, injuries, or chronic health conditions.