Meet the people behind Body Place — a dedicated team of allied health professionals who genuinely love what they do.

SENIOR EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGIST

Shannon graduated from Australian Catholic University with a Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science and a Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology, and also holds qualifications in Clinical Pilates.

Her passion for the role is simple: she loves watching people discover what their body is capable of - physically and mentally.

Shannon specialises in Exercise Oncology, guiding clients through their cancer journey with individualised programs and dedicated group classes. She also works extensively in pre and postnatal care, osteoporosis management, and NDIS support across all age groups.

A Moonee Ponds local (originally from Gisborne), Shannon grew up playing competitive netball and swimming. Outside the studio, you'll find her chasing her own PBs, playing competitive volleyball or walking her German Shepherd, Arnie.

EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGIST

Tommas holds a Bachelor of Exercise Science Clinical Practice and a Master of Clinical Exercise and Rehabilitation from Victoria University, plus qualifications in Clinical Pilates.

He has extensive experience working with NDIS participants across a wide range of ages, physical and mental health conditions - always with the goal of helping each person thrive.

Tommas has a particular interest in lower limb rehabilitation, helping clients rebuild strength and mobility in their knees and feet. He's also passionate about running gait analysis and supporting clients with sport-specific goals.

Outside the studio, you'll find him running, surfing, exploring Melbourne's dining scene or somewhere in nature.

CO-FOUNDER & STUDIO MANAGER

Meet Jacquii, our client relations and operations powerhouse. She's not just our go-to girl. She's a natural community builder and mentor to our Body Place team. With a background in media, Jacquii decided it was time to shift gears and focus on her own mental and physical health, because let's face it, life can throw some crazy curve balls making you reassess what exactly you want from it. What Jacquii wanted was simple; to create an inclusive place for everyone to have the chance to live better. This led her to manage her family run PT studio in Moonee Ponds for 10 years. To Jacquii, staff and many locals, this wasn't just a gym. This was a community where everyone had a place.

You can count on Jacquii to know your program and your goals, plus your dog's name and your favourite dinner spot. Alongside Angela, she's grown Body Place into what it is today: a place where everyone's story and success is celebrated like it's her own.

PERSONAL TRAINER

With over 13 years in the health and fitness industry and his Certificate III & IV in Fitness, Mario has coached clients of all ages, fitness levels and abilities toward sustainable health, performance and lifestyle goals. Having owned and operated his own personal training business for over a decade, he combines evidence based training principles with a strong focus on individualised programming, injury management, movement quality and long-term client success.

That expertise spans functional training, strength, rehabilitation and bone loading, making him a natural fit for anyone wanting to build strength and functionality that lasts and protect their body for the years ahead. Mario has worked with people from all walks of life: the young and the young at heart, pre and post-natal clients, people managing injury, athletes and plenty of first timers. It's the beginners he loves working with most, guiding people who are new to it all with patience and genuine care.

Away from the studio, Mario is all about music, vinyl records especially, movies, and time with family and friends. His hidden talent is DJing, and he would happily eat lasagna forever.

EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGIST

Jorjia is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist with a Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology and a Bachelor of High Performance Sport from Australian Catholic University.

Her background is a rare mix: Exercise Scientist, sports trainer for a VFL team, and athlete - 15 years of netball and competitive swimming, including assisting at the 2023 Swimming World Championship Trials. That breadth of experience shapes her approach to every client.

Jorjia is especially passionate about injury rehabilitation and long-term condition management, helping people rebuild strength, restore function, and feel capable in their bodies again.

Outside the studio, she resets with long walks, gym sessions, brunch, new music, and time with family and friends.

PERSONAL TRAINER + STUDIO COORDINATOR

Kevin has completed his Cert III & IV in Fitness, alongside previous Physiotherapy studies at Australian Catholic University.

His own training journey, from losing over 20kg to competing in bodybuilding, built the patience, determination and deep muscle knowledge it takes to progress over time. That experience sparked a genuine passion for changing people's lives through movement, with a focus on functional training, progressive overload while always educating clients every step of the way.

Kevin has also taken on the role of Client & Studio Coordinator, bringing that same energy to the studio's day to day. He's your go-to for client experience, onboarding and programming questions, plus helps keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes.

Outside the studio, you'll find him strength training, running, exploring different styles of movement such as Yoga and Pilates, or spending time with family and friends. He'll also happily tell you that his favourite food is pandan-flavoured shaved ice.

PERSONAL TRAINER

Maddy has completed her Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science at Australian Catholic University, is about to begin her Masters in High Performance Sport, and has also completed her Mat and Reformer Pilates qualifications.

She's passionate about helping people move and function better at every stage of life, with a particular interest in injury prevention and women's health. Maddy blends Pilates-based movements with functional, sustainable training to help clients future-proof their body’s, build confidence and the strength to keep doing what they love.

Alongside her work at Body Place, Maddy also works as an Exercise Scientist with Port Melbourne's VFL program, bringing extra depth to her understanding of strength, recovery and performance.

A fun fact about Maddy is that she was a competitive horse rider, competing at both state and national levels.

PRACTICE MANAGER

Kristin brings six years of experience in practice management within the allied health industry, having built her career around supporting both clients and the practitioners who care for them.

For Kristin, practice management is heart-led and is as much about holding space for clients and practitioners as it is about systems and admin. A true local, she grew up on a dairy farm in Gippsland before moving to Moonee Ponds in 2003 and knows this community inside out.

Outside of work, she's a busy mum of four boys and two dogs, an advocate for special needs and medically complex children, and someone who genuinely walks the talk when it comes to health and wellbeing.

CO-FOUNDER

Angela's path to co-founding Body Place started where many pivotal decisions do - in the lead-up to having her first child. With a background in marketing and media, she took that moment of reflection and ran with it: literally. She gained her personal training and barre certifications, joined forces with her husband Dayne and sister Jacquii, and opened a gym in Moonee Ponds.

That gym has since evolved into Body Place - a wellness hub built on the belief that movement and food are medicine, and that great care should be accessible to every body, ability and need.

Today, Angela drives the overall business vision, with a focus on growing Body Place's allied health services. Watch this space.

PERSONAL TRAINER

Dani brings a rare combination of expertise to every session: a Bachelor of Physical Education and Sports Science, a Master of Human Nutrition and Certificates III and IV in Fitness.

She specialises in hypertrophy training, strength and conditioning, hormone balancing, and weight management - drawing on her own experience as much as her education to help clients build a genuinely healthy relationship with food and movement.

Dani grew up across netball, soccer, and ballroom dancing, and has since added running to the mix — completing multiple half and full marathons post-lockdown. She's also our resident dessert queen, so she understands the importance of balance better than most.