meet OUR therapists

  • PAUL XYDIS

    @thebodybuildingphysio

    Director & Head Physiotherapist

    Paul works closely alongside the team at Paddo Performance to deliver a results-driven approach to rehabilitation, strength, and mobility training.

    With extensive experience working with both general population clients and high-level athletes, Paul specialises in helping people overcome injury, build strength, and return to performance. He has worked with some of the world’s top strength and physique athletes and has a deep understanding of the demands of training, competing, and achieving high-level results.

    His approach combines structured strength training, targeted rehab, and practical coaching strategies to help clients progress efficiently and with confidence. Paul is particularly experienced in guiding athletes back into sport, including powerlifting and bodybuilding.

    As a competitive NABBA bodybuilder himself, Paul brings firsthand experience from the platform into his coaching, allowing him to bridge the gap between rehabilitation and high performance.

    He also co-hosts the Barbell Bros podcast alongside Mike Pearson, where they discuss training, rehab, and performance.


  • DANI ANTONELLOS

    @daniantonellos

    Director, Osteopath, Exercise Rehabilitation Specialist

    Dani is an Osteopath and Exercise Rehabilitation Specialist with over a decade of experience helping people overcome pain through movement.

    She is known for her work as a back pain specialist, while also working extensively with shoulder pain, hip pain, SIJ pain, and knee pain.

    Dani’s approach is entirely exercise-based and clinically driven, focusing on identifying the underlying cause of pain and building strength, control, and resilience through targeted rehabilitation. Her goal is to help clients not only get out of pain, but stay out of pain long term.

    Dani brings a unique blend of clinical experience and high-performance coaching, shaped by her background as a WBFF Bikini Pro and her work in the gym environment. This allows her to bridge the gap between rehab and performance, helping clients return to training with confidence.

    Alongside her clinical work, she is also an online coach, has worked alongside Dr Andrew Lock through United Health Education, and co-hosts the podcast Level Up with Sharelle and Dani.

    Her philosophy is simple: “Movement Is Medicine.”

  • ZAB AZULAY

    @strengthenmovement

    Physiotherapist & Exercise Scientist

    Zab is a physiotherapist and exercise scientist. Furthering his education and developing his skills he is also a qualified Level 1 Strength & Conditioning coach.

    Zab’s passion and understanding of physiotherapy techniques, rehab strategies, strength training and background in exercise science allow him to effectively explain concepts, exercises and rehab techniques in a way that is easy to understand.

  • Ishmail Sobonie

    ISHMAIL SOBONIE

    @efficient.effortt

    Massage Therapist & Mobility Specialist

    Ishmail is our resident massage therapist and has over 5 years’ experience in the health and fitness industry as a high performance athletic coach.

    Ishmail has completed a Diploma in Remedial Massage Therapy, a Diploma in Fitness & Recreation and is currently completing a Bachelor in Human Science majoring in human movement. He also has his Sports Level Trainer and Strength & Conditioning Level Certifications.



meet OUR COACHES

  • Emma Howlett

    @emma.howlett

    General Manager & Coach

    Emma grew up in gyms and has been a Personal Trainer for over 10 years. She has been coached by some of the top trainers in the industry and is a perfectionist when it comes to correct technique when lifting. Not only is she the manager, but a competitive powerlifter who will teach you how to get strong under the barbell! Emma loves to keep active and knows how important it is to have fun when training - there's no getting bored on her watch!

  • Mike Pearson

    @mikepearson_

    Strength Coach

    Mike is a World Champion and Australian National Champion in bodybuilding. Since his early beginnings involved in bodybuilding, he's guided men and women of all ages to successfully step on the bodybuilding stage. But, more importantly, he's helped them achieve a body they love, and are happy to live in. Mike is incredibly passionate about helping people to achieve the best versions of themselves physically, and mentally.

  • Cameron Oreb

    @cameronoreb

    Strength Coach

    Cameron has been in the fitness industry for over 20 years and specialises in strength, muscle building, fat loss and movement. He caters for both male and female, general population, personal trainers and athletes of all sports. He looks after all programs, include nutritional guides and online support to all clients.


  • Irena Pitsos

    @bonafidetraining_

    Female Strength Coach

    Irena specialises in helping women gain strength and confidence in the gym, while creating a positive relationship with training. As an ex-ballet dancer turned powerlifter, it’s her priority to help her clients enjoy a balanced lifestyle to train hard and live well!


  • Jonathon Verteouris

    @efficient.effortt

    Exercise Scientist, Strength & Conditioning Coach

    Graduating from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science and Cert III & IV in Fitness, Jonno uses up-to-date evidence-based practices to help his clients achieve their goals. Jonno understands and teaches the benefits of exercise through his education of anatomy, neuroscience, biomechanics, psychology and nutrition.

  • Lynsey Barr

    @lynseybarr_pt

    Lynsey has been in the fitness industry for 5 years, and during that time she has helped many men and women build strength, drop body fat, improve movement and rehabilitate injury through client specific training and programming.

  • Shane and Kristin

    @the.athletes.academy

    The Athlete’s Academy exists for people who want to train seriously and be supported properly.

    We coach competitors, bodybuilders, and athletes across a range of sports, as well as high-standard individuals who train with intent and discipline. Our coaching is built on biomechanics, movement quality, and long-term development - not quick fixes or shortcuts.

    What sets us apart is how deeply we care about the people we work with. We don’t just coach training; we support our athletes through the realities that come with pursuing hard goals - consistency, lifestyle, mindset, stress, and accountability. Whether someone is chasing a stage, a sport, or simply a higher personal standard, they’re coached as a whole person, not just a program.

    Strength, muscle, and performance are built on bodies that move well and systems that last. That’s how we coach, and that’s the standard we hold.

    Coaching is delivered in-person at Paddo Performance and online worldwide.

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Paddo performance gym in Sydney

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