Fitnation Faculty

A key strength of Fitnation is our committed and highly experienced staff. Our presenters all have extensive qualifications in their field of knowledge and many have over 10 years of hands-on industry experience. Driven by their passion for the fitness industry, our presenters take time out of their successful businesses and practices to ensure Fitnation students are amongst the most highly regarded fitness professionals.

At Fitnation we pride ourselves on our innovative and advanced curriculum developed and delivered by our professional and committed staff. Our lecturing and administration staff are specialists in their relative fields and as current practitioners have first hand knowledge of their industry. By selecting only the finest practitioners to join our ranks of staff, we can ensure students are receiving the highest quality and most relevant education.

People list

Jane O’Brien

Assessor/ Presenter
Fitnation
Jane has over 20 years of experience in the fitness industry. She has degree qualifications in Human Movement and is an exercise science specialist. Jane is an experienced and knowledgeable presenter in all areas of personal training and fitness instruction. Her outstanding communication skills have also lead to her presenting on radio sports channels. She lectures in the field of fitness evaluation and is a key assessor for our Certificate III and IV in Fitness courses.
Wayne Rodgers, BPhysio

Presenter
Fitnation
Wayne is a Sports Physiotherapist and Fitness Coach with over 20 years experience in the health and fitness industries. He has been sports physiotherapist to several national and international sports teams including the Australian Netball team and the Australian Commonwealth Games team. Currently based at Sunshine Coast Sports Physiotherapy and Health Adventure Fitness Coaching in Sunshine Beach (Noosa), he has a special interest in functional strength training concepts and assessment and rehabilitation of the shoulder region. He is regular and popular presenter to corporate audiences, physiotherapists and personal trainers throughout Australia. With an ability to convert complex messages into simple concepts and strategies he teaches that high performance in achieved through personal empowerment.
Marietta Mehanni

Presenter
Fitnation
Marietta is a qualified personal trainer and group exercise instructor and is considered one of Australia’s leading presenters and an expert in group exercise, aqua and swissball instruction. While she still instructs several classes in centres across the Melbourne metropolitan area, the demands of her work as an international presenter has meant she has had to cut back in this area. Marietta is a brilliant communicator and motivator and has an excellent understanding of the fitness industry. She lectures in group exercise and swissball exercise instruction.
Trent Harris, AdDipRemMassag, DipRec, Cert IV Fitness

Presenter
Fitnation
Trent has an Advanced Diploma in Remedial Massage (Myotherapy), Diploma of Recreation and Certificate IV in Fitness. He presents the Exercise Science and Client Screening subject for Fitnation while maintaining his industry knowledge through his myotherapy and personal training business.
Chloe Lorback, BPhysio, MWH

Presenter
Fitnation
Chloe graduated with Bachelor of Physiotherapy from Melbourne University in 1997and has recently completed her Masters in Women’s Health, as well as having additional qualifications in clinical pilates.
Her physiotherapy practice, Fit to Deliver, specializes in maternal health. Chloe also lectures to the Melbourne University 4th year physio’s and presents lectures to post grad/ masters students at Melbourne University.
Chloe is a dynamic presenter in the areas of pre and post natal exercise and pilates.
Kate Save

Presenter
Fitnation
Kate has a Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics and a Bachelor of Applied Science. She is a qualified dietitian and exercise physiologist. She operates her own business as a dietitian and personal trainer and presents for Fitnation in the areas of nutrition and exercise for children.
Melissa Bull

Presenter
Fitnation
Melissa has a Bachelor of Physiotherapy and additional qualifications in clinical Pilates. Melissa combines her role as a physiotherapist specializing in women’s health with her presenting for Fitnation in the areas of Swissball training, pre and post natal exercises and Pilates.
Carolyn Preiss

Presenter
Fitnation
Carolyn has completed qualifications in fitness, small business management and life coaching. She operates her own business as a consultant and trainer in health and fatigue management. Carolyn presents the business components of the course.
Nadia Brandon-Black, BAppSc(HM)(Hons) MPhtySt(current)

Queensland State Manager/Presenter
Fitnation
Nadia graduated from Queensland University of Technology with honors from a Bachelor of Applied Science in Human Movement Studies. She has extensive experience as an exercise physiologist working in the area of musculoskeletal rehabilitation as both a rehabilitation coordinator and practitioner. Nadia’s goal is to work with Kathy to optimize services for Queensland based students and provide opportunities for Queensland personal trainers to access vital face to face education programs. She is currently completing her masters in Physiotherapy and lectures in evening courses in the areas of anatomy and physiology, fitness evaluation techniques and exercise rehabilitation.
Sara Pazell, BAppSc(OT), MBA, Cert IV Fitness

Presenter
Fitnation
Sara has completed a Bachelor of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy, a Masters in Business Administration, Strength and Conditioning Specialist qualification, Certificate IV in Fitness and also has an Advanced Diploma in Yoga teaching and is certified to teach Pilates, as well as being the director of L’Amour Yoga Institute. She is also a business course facilitator for the Australian Institute of Management. Sara lectures in the area of business management and pre and post natal exercise.
Tim Henwood, PhD, BSc (HMS-Hon1), BSc (Sp&ExSci), MAAG, MESSA, EP

Presenter
Fitnation
Tim has a degree in Human Movement Studies and also a PhD in Exercise Gerontology. He lectures for Fitnation in the area of exercise for older adults. Tim was awarded his PhD for his work investigating the benefits of long-term high-intensity resistance training in independent living adults 65 years and older. Presently, Tim Henwood is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow with the University of Queensland & Blue Care Research & Practice Development Centre and the Project Officer for the Queensland Hub of the ARC/NHMRC Research Network in Ageing Well. In addition to a significant research schedule investigating physical activity in residential aged care facilities, he is procative in national agenda to increase ageing awareness.
Nathan Wade, BAppSc (SpSci)

Presenter
Fitnation
Nathan completed a Bachelor of Applied Science in Sports Science and Coaching. He has 17 years experience working in the fitness industry and he is the director of Pure Fitness Training Studio that specializes in providing services for individual athletes, schools, sporting academies and corporate health. Nathan has worked in strength and conditioning with the Brisbane Strikers and the Queensland Academy of Sport programs of soccer and tennis. He has also worked with the Australian Paralympic squads and is currently the strength and conditioning consultant to the Kelvin Grove School of Excellence program in soccer. He lectures for Fitnation in the areas of resistance programming and exercise for children.
Brett Jones, BAppSci

Presenter
Fitnation
Brett has a Bachelor of Applied Science and Graduate Diploma in Sports Coaching. He has an impressive background in the area of coaching and disabilities and is currently the National Coach of Athletics Australia Paralympic Preparation Program. He lectures in the area of exercise programming and resistance training.
Lauren Nugent

Presenter
Fitnation
Lauren Nugent has been a practicing dietitian for over 6 years, working in both clinical dietetics and sports nutrition. She has experience in private practice, hospitals, nursing homes and has more recently worked in a psychology practice to further her knowledge of the psychological impact of food and nutrition. Lauren currently works for the Australian Institute of Sport as the Sports Dietitian for Sprint Canoe/Kayak and Squash. She also holds a management role as the Sports Science and Sports Medicine Coordinator for Sprint Canoe. Lauren consults on all general dietetic issues such as weight loss or gain, diabetes, cholesterol and lifestyle modification and is a keen presenter of nutrition lectures to corporate groups, athletes, coaches and the general public on a variety of nutrition topics. Lauren enjoys making presentations interactive and fun to ensure all participants go home learning something useful!
Jennifer Pender-Brookes, BBus(Mgt/Mar)

Presenter
Fitnation
Jennifer has a Bachelor of Business Management and Marketing and completed studies in Communications at RMIT in Melbourne. She has eighteen years experience in event management and outdoor recreation, having owned three sports and recreation-based businesses and travelled to over sixty countries organising physical activities for some of the world’s wealthiest people. Jennifer is currently the director of Urban Survivor Group Fitness, a business that specializes in outdoor group fitness, health retreats, team-building and adventure-based events for individuals, sports groups, schools and corporate customers. She is also the director of Funseekers Australia Pty Ltd, which is the parent company of two associated businesses- Rightman Introductions and Funseekers Social, Adventure and Multi-Activity Club. Jennifer lectures in the area of Personal Training Business Essentials.