Meet the Crew @ Wheelers Hill
Mel Van Nes - Front Desk and Administration Co Ordinator / Crèche
Hi, my name is Mel. I have been working in the fitness industry since 2000, mostly as a coach and trainer but also on the other side of the fence in administration. I have been involved in many different areas of fitness over the years, primarily as a Gymnastics Coach and Personal Trainer. I started as an Artistic Gymnast at the age of 3 and started competing by the time I was 6. I quickly fell in love with sport and continued on to become a Head Coach. I branched out over the years to sports such as Trampolining, Dancing, Swimming and Motocross.
Combining my love of keeping healthy, fit and strong, whilst helping others do the same, and supplying superlative customer service along with it, is integral to my own peace and happiness.
My job at Lifestyle Fitness is to make sure every single person that walks through our doors feels special and welcome. I take pride in handling each individual's membership with as much care as I would expect for my own.
Fitness has always been and will always be a big part of my life. I believe, with a little effort of course, anything is possible!Keri Longwill - Swim School Manager / Maintenance Manager
"I started my Swim Teaching career as a young mum back in 1986 here, would you believe, at Lifestyle Wheelers Hill"
I have worked with ALL age groups and abilities. I am privileged to have had some great Mentors along the way. I am passionate and enthusiastic and enjoy the challenge my job entails.
My qualifications include Austswim (since 1986), Teacher of Infant Aquatics, Level 2 First Aid, LSV Examiner & Certificate 1V in Assessment and Workplace Training. I have held Level 1 & 2 Coaching quals. and a Teacher of Lifesaving cert. I have been an Industry Presenter on a few occasions, both State & Nationally.
I have had a great time in this industry, and have had a very successful association to date here at Lifestyle Wheelers Hill. I look forward to many more years of seeing ALL swim well & enjoy the water safely.
Please don't hesitate to call me to discuss any aspect of your family's Swim Lesson requirements.
Daniel Wood – Personal Trainer Manager
Bio to come.
Cheryl See - Customer Care Officer
Hi everyone! My name is Cheryl and I’ve just recently had the pleasure of joining the Lifestyle team. I sincerely believe in a balanced approach to life- working hard, keeping active and having fun while you do it. After spending some time overseas, I am excited to be back home and am hoping to head back to university in 2012. I look forward to meeting all of you and hope to help make your time at Lifestyle enjoyable.
Vicha Supriyanto - Reception and Admin
My name is Vicha Supriyanto and I've recently joined the Lifestyle family. I am a University student – completing Bachelor of Business and Commerce in 2010, with hopes of studying a Double Degree in Sports Management and Exercise Sports Science at Deakin University in early 2011. I have had a big fitness background all my life – being an avid tennis player since grade 1 – and winning Club Championships for Mulgrave Country Club 3 years in a row! This and also being elected by my peers as my High School's Sports House captain for 2 years in my row have been my biggest achievements to date. Apart from tennis – I was also part of my High School's Hockey Team for the 6 years I went there – moving to the Waverley District finals every year as well!
In 2011 – I look forward to gaining as much experience in the sports industry to achieve my dream career as a Sports Manager for athlete's in sports such as the Australian Open, AFL and sports in America that aren't as popular here.
Belinda Drummond - Reception and Admin
I had the pleasure of joining the family at Lifestyle, as a fitness attendant on Reception, not so long ago.
For most of my life, I have been associated with Lifestyle, with many friends and family members attending and working at the centre. My Mum has actually been working at Wheelers Hill for over 20 years as a Group Exercise Instructor.
In 2011, I will be completing my first year at University, studying a bachelor of health sciences and Master of Occupational Therapy at La Trobe University, with hopes of transferring to the Physiotherapy course thereafter. So far, I am enjoying both the course and university life, always having had an ambition to work in the health sciences field.
Last year I held a leadership position as House Captain; Gaining respect from my peers, was a great honour for me! I was hard working during year 12, however, I still managed to maintain my physical activity. I am very passionate about sport, in particular netball. I have played netball for around 10 years, both at club and representative levels, including coaching and umpiring.
I have already gained much experience and knowledge from my position at Lifestyle. I look forward to making more friends and meeting new and interesting people at the gym.
Sheridan Parnell - Reception and Admin
Coming Soon.
Jack Barrington - Reception and Admin
Hi my name is Jack and I'm aspiring to be a personal trainer. I work at Lifestyle 3 days a week as a part of my school's VCAL course. At the age of 17 I already have my eyes set on the fitness industry and can't wait to become a part of it all even more so. And being such a sport enthusiast, I just love to keep fit and healthy!
With love for the mighty pies one of my achievements so far has been to finally win a footy grand final after 2 unsuccessful attempts. Music is something I just can't get enough of along with cricket and the beach.
In the near future I would love to finish my fitness course and become a full time personal trainer.
Jeff Stirling – Fitness Consultant
Being one of the younger ones down here at Lifestyle, my story is quite short in comparison to my fellow Lifestylers. Health and fitness is something that I have and will forever hold firmly close to me. From a tender young age, I have always been involved in bike riding and still to this day am involved. In 1999 I took out the state under 9's BMX title and held onto it every year until I was 14, when I came equal in 3rd place.
These days I just ride because I love the sport!
Going through high school was a slightly different experience for me, being noticeably bigger than all of my peers. However, I managed to find my form again and became the sports ambassador for my school. In 2009 I started up a small non-profit charity run called 'Run For A Ton', raising money for autistic children around Australia who haven't been blessed with the physical lifestyle that we have. Over 2000 people put their names down and came along for the run around the Dandenongs; some even joining in just for the stroll.
These days I'm happy to spend my time working here at Lifestyle Fitness helping others get their foot in the door to becoming fit!
I like finding ways to help people challenge themselves, so they, in turn, can achieve wonderful things and spread the good life with others too!
Daina Carlson - Fitness Consultant
My name is Daina Carlson. I grew up in Glen Waverley and I took up a career in the printing industry, specialising in graphic reproduction. My career was put on hold to start a family and I now live Endeavour Hills with my husband and two daughters. I have always participated in sport and fitness, although these days I spend more time getting involved in my girls activities and helping them reach their goals.
My urge to be constantly involved in fitness turned my career from being a graphic reproducer to a fitness professional. I returned to full time study and now hold a Diploma in Fitness. This qualification has provided me with knowledge to share with others who are thinking about improving their lives through fitness and would like to know how it can most benefit them. I am eager to help others get involved in fitness and to start enjoying the benefits that I have throughout my whole life. I am also a qualified sports coach and take great pleasure in training secondary students in sports preparation, skills and strategies.
My life has taken different directions; however, my passion for fitness always remained consistent. My lifestyle of fitness has included softball (Waverley Junior to National league level); Tennis – (Junior to senior level); and Gym – Regular cardio and weight sessions.
Fitness has always provided me with positive outcomes including:
Robyn Pinches – Personal Trainer
I have been working in the fitness industry for almost 7 years. A personal desire to improve my own health and fitness led me to join Lifestyle as a member about 9 years ago and I was so inspired by my own personal trainer at the time, to not only achieve great results both in fitness and weight loss, but to change my life's direction. I decided to return to study and embark on a career change so that I could work at something that I love and enjoy every minute of. I completed my Personal Training Qualifications at the Australian Institute of Fitness and my Older Adults Certification at YMCA Victoria. I have attended many local and interstate Fitness conferences over the years in an effort to keep my knowledge updated.
I have been actively involved in many different sports for many years – athletics, netball, tennis, and basketball, and have taken part in several fun runs.
I enjoy time with my family, reading, going to the theatre and the ballet, listening to music, eating out with friends, going to the movies and watching most sports. I love holidays on the beach and travelling overseas. I also enjoy my weekly session with my own personal trainer, who has helped me achieve my goals and continues to keep me motivated and in shape.
I am a good listener, very patient with clients who, through ill health or aging, need lots of encouragement to keep up their exercise routine so they continue gaining the benefits it affords them.
I have been involved with our COTA (Council on The Aging) program for Older Adults for the past 6½ years and I am passionate about this part of my job. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than hearing good health improvement stories from my participants, whether they be about improved flexibility and movement, reduced Blood Pressure readings or less aches and pains, since they began the program.
Mey Wun Boey - Personal Trainer
Hi there! My name is Mey Wun. I've been around since 1982 and I have lived in Wantirna all my life. I studied music for 13 years completing Grade 6 in music theory and after attaining a Bachelor of design at Monash University, I worked as a graphic designer until I made the change to fitness completing my Master Trainer & Freestyle Instruction Certifications at the Australian Institute of Fitness, and thus my career in the Fitness Industry was born.
Throughout my school years I kept active taking part in many sports including netball, volleyball, hockey, badminton, cricket and table tennis. I love drawing, sport, singing, dancing, laughing running, cooking, ten pin bowling, helping others and above all else, netball. I have played netball continuously for Wantirna South netball Club since 1991 and also coached and umpired for the time as well. I was recently awarded Life membership of the club and was recognized for over 15 years of service. I have also obtained my B grade Umpire's. Over the years I have been lucky enough o have been part of a number of premierships and am proud of the team and individual successes I have achieved, including playing at a representative level. Netball Continues to be an extremely rewarding and enjoyable part of my life.
I believe in giving 110%, working hard and that you get out of life what you put into it. I am very passionate about health and fitness and would love to help to guide, motivate and push you to achieve your goals and more!
I am your ideal personal trainer if you want to increase your sporting fitness, you like hard work and need a push and you need continual encouragement and motivation to help reach your goals.
Mark Mills - Personal Trainer
I have a strong passion for fitness and enjoy living a healthy lifestyle. Good food goes hand in hand with good health, and as a qualified chef and finishing my certificate in nutrition, I have an appreciation for healthy foods - my favorite food being homemade pasta (which I am an expert at making).
Sport has been a large part of my life with AFL and motor-cross being paramount – always finding time to go for a good surf, relax and watch movies and hilarious sitcoms!
Over the years I have been fortunate enough to travel to some amazing places around the world which has strengthen my desire to meet new people and help them reach their own goals.
Completing my Personal Training certificates at the Australian Institute of Fitness – my training style has been influenced by some of the best personal trainers, instructors and presenters in the Fitness Industry. Along with my personal study in training methods and nutrition, I give my clients a solid 30 minute personal training session with proven compound strength training and cardiovascular workout along with nutrition information designed for each individual. All my training includes correct technique, careful spotting and strong motivation.
This will be what you need to perform at your best and train your hardest to achieve maximum results. You can reach your goals sooner and safer whilst enjoying yourself with a trainer like me!
Ardon Fitzgibbon - Personal Trainer
Bio to come.
Jenna Priestley
Hi, I'm Jenna and I've been working in the fitness industry for almost 5 years now. I spent my early days as a sports trainer, working at a football club, dealing with pre and post game warms up and treatments until I got my Masters in Personal Training from the Australian Institute of Fitness.
Since then, I've worked in a few gym's, helping a vast array of different clientele achieve their goals and to be the best in whatever their choice may have been. I then spent the past year travelling the world, whilst working onboard a cruise ship, organising sporting, health and wellbeing events, for the guests. It was an amazing experience and I learnt so much and saw so many amazing sites! BUT! I am now happy to be home and back into a normal life, working at Lifestyle Fitness.
I love my sports, first growing up as a gymnast and then switching to netball. Besides always being involved with sport and loving to play many sports for my school, it also helped me to decide what career path I eventually wanted to follow.
Away from the gym, I love water skiing and nowadays, I really love heading up to the Murray river, in the summertime, to do just that. I also enjoy reading a good book and I love music- it's a big part of my life so I enjoy going out to see different live bands.I love all to do with health and fitness and will be a great trainer for you, whatever your goals might be, and whether you love pushing yourself to the maximum or you need that extra bit of help and motivation, I'm there for you, 100%!
Harley Makin
Hi there! I'm Harley and I am originally from W.A. but I've lived in Melbourne for the past 4 years.
After graduating in Year 12, I completed my plumbers apprenticeship and continued plumbing for 5 years until I 'fell' into my true passion in life, that being the health and fitness industry. I am now completing my Diploma in Fitness and next year will be starting my Bachelors Degree in Clinical Sports Science and Exercise with the intention to then complete my further studies by obtaining my Masters in Strength and Conditioning.
From the age of 6 to 18yrs, I was heavily involved in competitive swimming where I found myself then competing at Club, Regional , State, National and eventually International levels! My best achievements, during all of that time, was a silver and bronze medals in my preferred events of butterfly and freestyle. My passion for health and fitness is immense and I truly believe in this industry and how it can literally change people's lives and make for a much brighter future!So ... who's first for a change and a better life?
Martin Nguyen - Personal Trainer
Coming Soon.
Ben Goodman - Personal Trainer
Coming Soon.
Elena Zumpo – Crèche Assistant
My name is Elena. I work in the Crèche as an assistant 5 days a week.
I have my Diploma in Children’s Services. With over 20 years experience in this field, it is a great pleasure to watch the children in my care grow and achieve new challenges.
At home I have 2 primary aged children which keep me busy with their sports and school activities.
In my spare time I enjoy reading, listening to music, keeping fit, cooking and socialising with friends.
I am a friendly and enthusiastic person who takes my job seriously and professionally.
Emma Lynch - Creche Assistant
Coming Soon.
- Strength, endurance , agility, flexibility;
- Ability to recover faster from injury;
- A Healthy weight and energy levels;
- A network of friendships; and
- A high level of self confidence.
I am excited to become one of the most recent team members at lifestyle fitness and I look forward to discussing your fitness needs with you soon.