Our team

Our Team will help you Learn Massage

It's our people and their enthusiasm, knowledge, dedication and sense of humour that makes Q Academy.

There are some people that can really inspire you to learn, because of their passion for their field and ability to make complex issues so easy to understand. There are others that care about you as a person and you know that you are not just a number to them, but part of the family.

We value that caring attitude just as much as the inspirational ability.

We hope those qualities and more become visible when you meet some of our senior team members below.

Our Team

Dr Neil - Head of Syllabus & Training:

Neil has been a senior course coach with us since 2005. Neil is a Doctor of Physiotherapy with a post graduate Diploma of Manipulative Therapy. He graduated from Bond University with 9 awards for academic excellence including highest grade point average for the Doctor program. He also holds a degree in Exercise Physiology as well as a degree in Business & Management. He is also a qualified Remedial Massage Therapist and Personal Trainer, and a nationally accredited course provider with the AAMT for Kahuna Lomi Lomi massage. Together with his wife Dr Ashlie (Medicine & Surgery), Neil also runs regular short courses with health professionals for personal development and continuing professional education credits.

"I really enjoy sharing my knowledge with our students and get a real buz from seeing those "light bulb" moments when they understand it and develop the self confidence as great practitioners in a rewarding profession and career."

Kate - Careers Specialist Captain: Campus - Brisbane & Sunshine Coast

In 2006 I completed a Bachelor of Psychology at Victoria University of Wellington. I am definitely fascinated with the sciences concerning the study of the human mind and behaviour.

In 2007 I started working at the Q Academy as a career specialist, enrolling students for both our Brisbane and Sunshine Coast campuses. I love my job as I get to meet new people every day. Helping people get started in a new career that they love, keeps me motivated.

While working full time at the college, in 2008 I enrolled in the Remedial Master Therapist course on a part time schedule and completed the Diploma of Remedial Massage in 2009.

"Having now done the course myself I know exactly what you will be getting yourself into! I would love to answer any questions or concerns that you may have about getting started at Q Academy in the Diploma of Remedial Massage."

Sarah C - Senior Course Coach: Campus - Sunshine Coast

Sarah has many years of experience in the massage industry as a Remedial Therapist and has a thriving business in the Sunshine Coast. Sarah is currently studying occupational therapy at Sunshine Coast university. One of Sarah's passions is horses and she loves everything to do with them and has ridden in all disciplines including show jumping, eventing and dressage.

"I love seeing students learn and develop into great massage therapists. It's very rewarding when a student grasps concepts and ideas delivered in the classroom and they grow in confidence practically. I love massaging so passing on my passion to students is fantastic."

Sarah M - Campus Captain : Campus- Gold Coast

After pursuing my dreams of becoming a Vet, I soon discovered that my allergies may be a challenge. So I decided to change career path. I found out that I was good with my hands whilst doing a Swedish massage course in the UK and decided to continue with Massage when I moved to Qld early 2007. I currently hold a Diploma in Remedial Massage.

Dr Helen (Phd) - Senior Course Coach & Project Leader: Campus - Brisbane

I originally trained as a molecular biologist and worked for 20+ years as a researcher, academic, and science communicator . I then decided to branch into the field of remedial massage in order to obtain a better work-life balance, and also to more directly achieve my long-term goal of helping others.

Since graduating from Q Academy in 2009, I have worked as a remedial massage therapist in both day spa and clinical settings as well as teaching at the Academy.

For me, teaching is all about facilitating learning - providing the right amount of support, information, and even agitation to help my students succeed with their studies and achieve their goals. It is an incredibly rewarding vocation.

"I am passionate about massage and want to share that enthusiasm with my students, helping to foster their interest and ambition in this field."

Hilke - Course Coach: Campus - Brisbane

Hilke is a very passionate Occupational Therapist who trained in Germany. She has worked for a long time with neurological patients (adults and children) suffering from severe illnesses and brain injuries.

Keen to help prevent injuries and illnesses she extended her qualifications and became a Remedial Massage Therapist. She now has her own practice in Brisbane as well as helping others learn her skills through being a Course Coach at the Academy.

�I enjoy spreading my passion and fascination with the human body and love to pass on how we can positively affect it. Pain is not always necessary!"

Tim - Campus Captain : Campus - Brisbane & Sunshine Coast

I started out learning traditional eastern therapies in 2002. Shiatsu, Northern Thai Massage and TCM are my favourite as they have a beautiful philosophy and way of treating. However I also love the scientific knowledge and assessment that the Diploma of Remedial Massage gave me, plus fascial release styles of treatment rock!

Teaching involves learning at the same time. Whether its anatomy and massage related, or communication and behaviour I'm always learning more.

"Not only do I get to help others realise their goals, I also further my own knowledge and have fun along the way."

Tony- Course Coach: Campus - Brisbane

Originally completing a Diploma of Business I spent 14 years in the corporate world of Banking, finance and PR, tired of the industry and some health issues it was time for a change. This lead me to the world of alternative therapies and massage. I commenced practicing in massage therapy in 1999 where I gained valuable experience working in massage centres, day spa's and physio clinics. I have continued to expand my thirst for the health and wellbeing industry and am qualified in Reiki, lymphatic drainage, lomi lomi and a Journey Practitioner which adds a whole other dimension to working with people from an emotional/physical level. Presently I run my own successful clinic in Victoria Pt and I also work alongside a chiropractor. Along with all that I'm studying exercise science at uni!

"Teaching adds another dimension to my work in the world of massage. It allows me to continue to deepen my own knowledge and see this from the students perspective. Watching and assisting the growth and development of students massage skills and techniques as they enter the world of remedial massage is a privilege."

David - Senior Course Coach :Campus - Sunshine Coast

I am from Chile in South America and grew up around martial arts and dancing where people use and abuse their bodies so massage was a natural thing to do to keep healthy. Once I started learning about the body, fitness and massage it all just grew and grew. I also love music, swimming and lately Jujitsu... watch out!

"I love massage, and through teaching I get to show others this great skill. There is so much out there and I am always learning new styles of massage so it is great to be at the centre of the learning by being a teacher, it keeps me sharp!"

	Matt - Course Coach : Campus - Gold Coast In 2006 I moved from Canada to Australia and soon began lecturing at the Academy while working part time at a physiotherapy clinic in Brisbane. In order to further my understanding and ability to help others I began an apprenticeship under Dr. Philip James Lovitt. For the past two years I trained under Dr. Lovitt in advanced theory, osteopathic technique, tissue manipulations and alignment. I have since returned to my passion of teaching, and am coaching at the Q. Academy on the Gold Coast. I have had the pleasure of curing many long term sufferers of chronic pain and debilitating dysfunctions through manual therapies but largely my ability to make a difference in these peoples lives has come from my focus on educating people. Teaching people how they can minimize the factors that maintain and perpetuate their problem and by offering self help techniques to ensure these problems do not resurface in the future. "I believe every student that I can bring to understand these principles of approach and practice will walk away with the potential to make a great difference in people's lives. This is where the depth of my passion for teaching has risen from." Matt - Course Coach : Campus - Gold Coast
	Sarah T - Course Coach: Campus - Sunshine Coast Sarah has always had a keen interest in team sports and sports biomechanics. She has a passion for improving quality of movement efficiency in order to improve performance. Following a Sport and Exercise Science Degree she began her journey with Remedial Massage therapies as a way to assist in both recovery and performance enhancement. "My favourite part of teaching is seeing those moments when things all click in to place for the students. It is very rewarding being able to assist people to reach their potential and to increase knowledge of the amazing human body and it's capabilities"
	Chris - Senior Course Coach: Campus- Gold Coast He began working in hospitality and construction and after several years of sore and tight muscles from labour Chris became interested in treating such common ailments. He completed his Certificate IV in Swedish massage in 2007 and followed with the Diploma of Remedial Massage in 2008. He loved the Classroom atmosphere and dynamics so much that he stayed on to train as a Course Coach with Q Academy. With his knowledge of anatomy and physiology growing every day Chris has now taken up bodybuilding and looks to further his knowledge in the health industry. "The best way to learn is to teach. Everyday I learn something new, my job is fun and I meet a large variety of fun and interesting people."
	Jaron - Course Coach: Campus - Brisbane Jaron obtained his diploma of remedial massage in 2007 and has been teaching at Q academy since. He continued his education because of his love of learning and started studying physiotherapy at the University of Queensland but then elected to study osteopathy instead which he is currently doing. Jaron also works part time with a chiropractor in a private clinic and is teaching an advanced short course based on a corrective manipulation for muscles, tendons and ligaments on top of teaching at Q academy. "I really love my 'so called' balanced life, I get to treat the most interesting cases in a clinical situation and get to teach a diverse range of students how to be become the best therapists ever, it's a perfect life, treating and teaching, both give enormous amounts of satisfaction"