Physio
B.Ex.Sc(Grif), M.Phty(Grif)
Member APA
Main interests: Passion for strength & conditioning, gym-based fitness rehab, aquatic sports (including specific experience in synchronised swimming, swimming) and Sailing Athletes
As a two time Olympian (2008 & 2012) and a 2010 Commonwealth Games Bronze medallist in the sport of synchronised swimming, Sarah has the drive to help athletes as well as the general public to overcome injuries and achieve their goals.
She has previously worked as an Official Physio Provider to Sailing Australia for International camps and Competitions – including being the Physio to Olympic Gold Medalists, & World Sailing Champions Matt Belcher & Will Ryan in the 470Class. Sarah makes sure this experience filters to benefit regular amateur athlete management.
Sarah actively participates in gym-based based strength & conditioning & is passionate about correct gym technique. Sarah offers specific Physio assessment & screening consults for correction of squat, deadlift and bench press technique – beyond that offered by your Personal Trainer with her trained Physio observation and teaching skills- plus she can help you correct any on-going pain, soreness or lack of gym training progression that you may have difficulty with.
Sarah’s Story
I was born in Sydney but at the ago of 5 we moved to the Gold Coast to be closer to my Mum’s family. My parents have almost always been self employed and worked from home, so as a family we spent a lot of time together growing up.
In Grade 5 I was doing ballet and ended up with plantar fasciitis after a training camp. My GP said that Ballet is no good for the body and I would likely end up as a “cripple”. I went back to swim squad at Bond Uni where I saw the synchro girls training, and thought I would give it a go.
In high school I started to make the State team for synchro and competed in a number of National Championships. In grade 12, 2 weeks before nationals I sprained my ankle pretty bad, so I spent the next couple of weeks at the physio. This was when I thought this might be something I’d like to do. I got my first job in grade 12 at Prouds the Jewellers, graduated in 2000 and got accepted into Exercise Science for the following year.
I made my first National team in 2002 when I was 19. I did my final semester at uni part time to allow me time to train and compete. In 2003 my coach partnered me with another girl Eloise Amberger with the plan to compete at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. She was 16 and I was 20, I didn’t really like her but we started training together with a Commonwealth Games medal in mind.
I got accepted into Masters of Physiotherapy but deferred it for 5 years while I trained full time. After 3 years of training together Ella and I became best mates, but unfortunately just 
missed selection for the Commonwealth Games, competition was tough as only 1 duet would qualify. Our next goal was then the 2008 Olympics. The plan was be selected for team and duet. During this time 2 new girls entered the team both Olympians, one swam for France and one for Mexico. They started to swim together and got selected as the duet, so Ella and I were selected as part of the Team comp at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
My original plan was to retire after this event and return to uni, but after competing I knew I wasn’t ready to stop as Ella and I wanted to be the Olympic Duet. I returned to uni in 2009 and did my Masters of Physiotherapy part time. Ella and I got selected for the
Commonwealth Games in 2011 where we won a Bronze medal. Continuing after that we finally reached our goal of competing in team AND duet at the 2012 Olympics after nearly 10 years of swimming together.
The following year I graduated from uni and began work at Gold Coast Physio & Sports Health 2months after that and have been engaged in on-going learning ever since!
