Click on the speaker’s photo to view their biography.
B.Ex.Sci., PhD. Candidate
Founder and Director, AtOne
CEO, AUSactive
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Grant Gamble
Wellness Expert,
Grant Ian Gamble
Tracy Minnoch-Nuku
Women’s Health & Fitness Expert,
Sexy Ageing
Ben Donhardt
Lisa Lord
General Manager, Mystery Shopping for Fitness Businesses
Emmett Williams
CEO MyZone,
Asia Pacific
Mel Tempest
Fitness Business Speaker | Group Fitness Program Consultant,
Tempest Fitness Business Solutions
Richard Toutounji
Founder & CEO,
COM Marketing
Justin Tamsett
Director
Active Management
Nigel Benton
Publisher
Australasian Leisure Management
Steve Jensen
Founder and Managing Director,
Impact Training & National Sales Academy
Jen Dugard
Founder, MumSafe™️
Director, AUSactive
Daz Wrigley
Partnerships Director Australia
Les Mills Asia Pacific
Scott Hunt
CEO
Fitness Enhancement
Craig Harper is one of Australia’s leading presenters, writers and educators in the areas of health, high-performance, resilience, self-management, leadership, corporate change, communication, personal transformation and more broadly, human behaviour. Craig has worked as an Exercise Scientist, Corporate Speaker and Consultant, University Lecturer, AFL Conditioning Coach, Radio Host, TV Presenter, Newspaper Columnist and successful Business Owner. He hosts a high-rating Podcast called ‘The You Project’, is the author of seven books and is currently completing a Ph.D. in Neuropsychology.
With over 30 years of expertise, is a health and high-performance expert specialising in the intersection of body, mind, and soul for individual and organisational benefit. As a nationally accredited mediator and negotiator, she focuses on communication, dispute resolution, and emotional intelligence in the workplace. Edwina offers wellness programs, dispute resolution, and communication training, as well as healing retreats, helping transform both personal lives and workplace cultures.
Barrie brings over 20 years’ CEO experience of successful organisational change, strategic development and business growth across a range of sectors including Education, Health and Community Services. He holds a BA, Grad Dip Education and MBA, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. You’ll regularly hear Barrie talking about his passions and experiences including surfing, Triathlons, keeping his mental health and wellbeing strong through exercise, trekking the Kokoda Trail and Macchu Pichu, Led Zeppelin and Hot Rods – all for the purpose of making meaningful connections. Barrie has a longstanding personal and professional interest in adventure play for children and is the proud grandfather of two beautiful girls. Today Barrie is pleased to be the CEO of AUSactive, the peak national health and fitness industry association activating everybody, every way, every day.
Grant’s career as a transformative leader in the fitness and wellness industry is highlighted by some remarkable achievements, including spearheading a 15x revenue growth for a fitness franchise and building a $100m benchmark US wellness group. These accomplishments highlight his expertise in driving retention and fostering growth within the fitness and wellness sector. His innovative work includes a best selling leadership book, “The Affinity Principle” and the creation of the AI-driven AFFINITY OS platform. Grant’s approach is deeply rooted in the creation of strong, engaged communities within the fitness industry. As a featured speaker, Grant brings invaluable insights into the dynamics of customer and team engagement, proving that sustainable success is built on the foundation of meaningful relationships and strategic innovation.”
With over 30 years in the fitness industry, Tracy has evolved from a Group Fitness Teacher and Personal Trainer into a prominent advocate for women’s health, particularly in menopause education. Her extensive experience includes developing fitness teams and programs across Asia. Tracy’s personal journey with menopause, detailed in her book “My Menopause Memoir” and the “Sexy Ageing” podcast, underscores her commitment to empowering women through knowledge and community support.
Experienced and results orientated Lisa delivers exceptional customer service, reflecting her commitment to her clients’ success. She combines a warm, compassionate personality with steely determination and focus. Lisa’s early experience working in Media followed by her career in the Real Estate Industry that spans over 25 years is where she has honed her Sales, Marketing and Customer Service skills. Dedicated to her clients’ success shines through in her everyday approach and she is both passionate and proactive with a genuine knowledge and belief that Mystery Shopping can make a huge difference in your business. Lisa is an avid bibliophile, works as a writer and editor in her spare time and is a member of a Melbourne fitness centre where she trains most days.
I’m Emmett a founding Partner in the global wearable technology brand Myzone – a hardware, cloud-ware, and software mix that drives exercise adherence for the end user, and customer engagement metrics for the network partner. Check it out at MYZONE.org
I moved from Australia to the USA in 2011 to manage Myzone through the developmental phase of its commercial existence. After 2 years of beta with the product, and 2 years of establishing product market fit through a significant amount of market interface, I was part of the senior team that led the company thru its ‘go to market’ phase in 2013/14, seeing the system now installed in over 7000 health clubs in 60+ different countries. The platform is currently attracting tens of thousands of new users every month, changing behaviour one exerciser at a time.
Mel stands as an indomitable force, a trailblazer igniting transformation within the fitness industry. Garnering five prestigious global awards, she’s a beacon of innovation and inspiration. In 2017, she shattered barriers as the first Australian to receive a scholarship from IHRSA, setting a precedent for excellence.
Recognised as a top influencer by the Association of Fitness Studios in consecutive years, 2019 and 2020, Mel’s leadership knows no bounds. Her ascent to the Top #5 Smart Company in 2017 underscores her relentless pursuit of excellence.
At the helm of Ignite Fitness Business Events and her acclaimed podcast, Mel orchestrates change with finesse. Her pioneering strategies in fitness consulting and club management champion unique market niches, seamless technology integration and unwavering operational standards.
Mel’s fervor for catalysing industry evolution transcends borders, epitomising global leadership. Her journey epitomises the power of personal transformation and success, irrespective of formal education. Recognised with the prestigious role of honour by AUSactive in 2022, Mel’s influence continues to soar.
In 2023, she assumed the mantle of board Director at AUSactive, further solidifying her commitment to shaping the industry’s future. Mel’s legacy is one of relentless innovation, inspiring generations to redefine possibilities and embrace change.
As the owner of Australia’s first Private Fitness Studio and founder of one of fastest growing corporate wellness companies, for 21 years, Richard Toutounji is known as the go-to-Authority in the fitness industry. Richard Toutounji along with his wife Joey Toutounji founded COM Marketing, educating health & fitness studios globally.
Their award winning COM Marketing Ninja Program has empowered thousands of Fitness Studios and have now been recognised by the governing bodies, partnering on marketing education with AUSactive, Exercise New Zealand, Pilates Alliance Australia & Yoga Australia.
Richard is a best selling Author and International Speaker. He is a serial entrepreneur and is obsessed with helping fitness business owners achieve impossibilities through his proven experiences and programs to create a healthier, happier world. Richard currently resides in Sunshine Coast, Queensland Australia with his wife and 2 boys.
Steve Jensen (Dr J) is a world-renowned expert in business sales and development, with over 30 years of experience in the industry. As an award-winning, presenter and sales coach, Steve has helped countless businesses around the globe double and triple their sales income by empowering sales teams with up-to-date tools, strategies, communication techniques, and skills. Steve is recognised as one of the best in the business, and everyone knows that if you get an opportunity to learn from him, you seize it.
Darren – or “Daz” as he’s more widely known as – boasts an extensive background in sales and marketing, including 14 years specialising in the fitness industry.
“With a passion for helping businesses and individuals grow and perform at their best, Darren has been providing business growth coaching services to small and medium-sized businesses for the past eight years, helping them to generate more clients, close more sales and increase their overall revenue and profits,” says Ryan Hogan, Les Mills Asia Pacific’s Chief Executive Officer.
Prior to this, Darren spent seven years as a Sales and Business Consultant with Impact Training Corporation and the National Sales Academy. During this time, he delivered Business Development Training/Coaching services as well as managing the introduction of the OrangeTheory Fitness brand into the Australian marketplace. Before that appointment, Darren spent seven years as Regional Sales and Business Development Manager (aka Career Captain) with the Australian Institute of Fitness.
“Les Mills has always been part of my exercise life. I’ve completed many Les Mills classes over the years and my favourite program is RPM®,” Darren says. “And actually, my partner, Gayle Brimble, is a former Les Mills Trainer, so our home has always been littered with Les Mills gear and program resources!”
Darren’s career to-date has enabled him to develop a comprehensive understanding of the complex issues that gyms can face in today’s volatile economy. “This will serve as a valuable asset in his solutions-focused role with us, where he’ll also oversee our team of six Business Partnership Managers across Australia.”
