PHYSIOTHERAPISTS
STEPHANIE NOVAK
Physiotherapist/Director
Stephanie graduated from La Trobe University in 2011 and is both a physiotherapist and DMA trained Pilates instructor with an experienced background as a Checetti method ballerina.
As a long term dancer herself, she understands the importance of correcting compensatory movement patterns, often adopted by those with injuries, before they become a long term problem. She puts a key focus towards looking at the body holistically whether it be general posture, injury management or pre/post natal.
Stephanie has worked locally and nationally with a variety of different sports including local football clubs, dance groups, netball and cross fit. Internationally she has toured Canada and the United States with a dance ensemble and has worked for several years in the private sector in London.
Stephanie is available for hands on physiotherapy appointment at the clinic or pilates appointments at the studio.
LEWIS STOLZ
Physiotherapist
Lewis graduated with a Master of Physiotherapy from Flinders University in 2014 after previously completing his Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science at the University of Ballarat in 2012.
Lewis has since been working in a private practice treating a variety of musculoskeletal conditions. He has been running classes in both Clinical Pilates and Hydrotherapy, taking clients to the gym, and utilising his skills in dry needling.
Lewis treats patients with a combination of hands-on and exercise therapy. His areas of interest are in exercise prescription and health promotion and he is passionate about empowering clients to reach their goals and manage their condition/s through education and individualised exercise therapy.
Lewis is passionate about Clinical Pilates as an effective modality for reducing pain, improving function and empowering self-management.
Outside of work he enjoys going for a run and is planning his long distance events for this year.
LOUISE HATELEY
Director/Physiotherapist (Women's Health)
Louise has been working as a physiotherapist for over 20 years. Throughout the early stages of her career, she used her profession to experience a wide scope of health settings ranging from working with a predominantly remote aboriginal client base in the Physiotherapy Rehabilitation Centre at the Royal Darwin Hospital, through to spending several years as a physiotherapist at the National Sports Centre in London where she worked with elite athletes including the British Diving Team and London Towers basketball teams.
Louise has always been a runner and a fitness enthusiast herself, and her passion in her career was the ability to use her skills and knowledge to help her clients reach their full potential and achieve their goals. After settling in Ascot Vale and having three children of her own, Louise’s professional focus switched to helping women maintain fitness and health throughout the journey of pregnancy and motherhood. She moved into Womens Health Physiotherapy and Pelvic Floor management with an emphasis on rehabilitating women following pregnancy and birth using pilates, exercise and pelvic floor strengthening.
She is passionate about increasing “womens health talk” and normalising these discussions about issues such as prolapse and incontinence so that women don’t have to feel that they need to hide something that affects most women and can be treated.
Lou also runs our GLA:D exercise groups, which is a program designed to help people with Osteoarthritis to reduce pain and improve functions. She is passionate about women's health at all stages and uses this to guide the team to deliver excellent service.
BROOKE BURGOYNE
Physiotherapist
Brooke completed her Bachelor of Physiotherapy in 2011 at LaTrobe University. Since then she has worked in private practice both in Melbourne and Ballarat treating numerous musculoskeletal injuries across a diverse range of clients including local sports teams.
Brooke has also completed extra training in Pilates and Hydrotherapy. She also completed her training as a GLA:D Physiotherapist in 2018. Brooke is passionate about using a combination of hands-on techniques, exercise and education to achieve client outcomes.
Brooke has a special interest in neck/back pain as well as sports injuries, women's health, and injury prevention. Her interest in women’s health has increased since becoming a mother in 2019.
Outside of work Brooke enjoys keeping fit by running and going hiking when she can. She also gets plenty of exercise chasing her toddler around.
NAOMI CRAWFORD
Physiotherapist
Naomi graduated from La Trobe University's Master of Physiotherapy Practice after completing her Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science at Deakin University. She has a keen interest in the prevention of and recurrence of injury, which developed after she was plagued with recurrent shoulder problems while working as a barista for the better part of a decade. She also has a particular interest in the role of mental health in return to work and return to sport after injury.
While studying at Deakin, Naomi developed a love of strength and conditioning and its role in injury rehabilitation, as well as exercise therapy in chronic disease management. She also previously taught yoga across three studios in her home town of Canberra, and effectively applies this experience in running Clinical Pilates group classes. Her passion lies in helping people move with intention and intuition to get them back to doing what they love, whatever that means to them.
In her downtime, Naomi loves playing the drums, yelling for the Western Bulldogs in the AFL, and cuddling her cat, Bug. She primarily keeps active by lifting weights at the gym, but swears that this is the year she finally takes up running!
Naomi works full time hours at In Stride. She is available for physiotherapy and clinical pilates most weekdays including out of hours and Saturday mornings.
TODD GRBAC
Physiotherapist
Todd holds a Master of Physiotherapy Practice from La Trobe University in Melbourne. His passion for working collaboratively with those in pain and seeing them get back to doing what they love is what drives him to become the best physiotherapist possible.
Todd has developed a large interest in the role of exercise therapy for a multitude of conditions with particular emphasis on the utility of strength and conditioning practices. He uses this to help people recover from pain and injury, as well as to build confidence in their abilities to perform their meaningful activities and to take charge of their health. He also utilizes these principles to improve performance and aid in injury prevention.
Todd has experience within elite Australian Rules Football through his ongoing work with the AFL Vic Metropolitan talent pathway, where he has worked with a number of prospective AFL draftees as part of the medical team. As such, he has a particular interest in treating a variety of sporting injuries and helping take individuals from diagnosis through to return to sport.
In his downtime, Todd thoroughly enjoys hiking, good coffee, spending quality time with friends and family, talking about the Brisbane Lions three-peat (glory days!), as well as travelling. Todd also keeps active primarily through gym-based strength and conditioning.
OLIVIA SEVDALIS-FALLAW
Physiotherapist
Olivia graduated from La Trobe University with a Bachelor’s in Applied Science and Masters in Physiotherapy Practice. She has worked across numerous settings from Alfred Health completing acute musculoskeletal physiotherapy to the private practice setting and working with local football clubs.
Olivia loves working with individuals of all ages to treat a variety of musculoskeletal injuries and conditions. Olivia bases her management around evidence-based practice and has a focus on utilising exercise, clinical pilates and hands on therapy to help empower people to achieve their goals and improve their long-term outcomes.
Outside of the clinic, Olivia enjoys following football (go Cats!), trying out new brunch cafes and playing netball. Olivia is available for evening appointments during the week and Saturday mornings.
HUI LE NGOO
Physiotherapist
Hui Le (or Huey) completed his Doctor of Physiotherapy at the University of Melbourne. He previously has obtained a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Human Structure and Function.
With a keen passion for musculoskeletal and sports physiotherapy, Hui Le is a strong believer in a combination approach of hands-on manual therapy, education, evidence-based management, and a large focus on client-tailored exercise prescription. In addition to working at the clinic, Hui Le has been and continues to be involved with local footy teams.
In his downtime, Hui Le enjoys doing all things active including weight training, playing basketball and exploring the outdoors. Hui Le loves travelling and is fascinated by different cultures - he wishes to finally visit Europe in the next few years. As a Malaysian-born Chinese, he also speaks fluent Mandarin Chinese.
Hui Le offers hands on physiotherapy, clinical pilates, hydrotherapy and exercise based rehabilitation at In Stride. He is available most weekdays and Saturday mornings.