Staff Profiles

Meet our very professional & knowledgable team members!

Director - Merendi Leverett
Senior Accredited Exercise Physiologist - Carly Ryan
Accredited Exercise Physiologist - Chantal Williamson
Accredited Exercise Physiologist - Jessica Singleton
Accredited Practising Dietitian - Alessandra Winfield
Remedial Massage Therapist/Acupuncturist - Michael Tiffin
Remedial Massage Therapist/Baby Massage Instructor - Christie Will
Bowen Therapist - Marion Grimshaw

Merendi Leverett

Rehabilitation Consultant & Accredited Exercise Physiologist - BHMSc, GradDipHSc(ExRehab), AEP, MESSA, MARPA

Merendi Leverett is our Director and founder of Merendi Health & Wellness.

Graduating from Central Queensland University in June 1998 with a Bachelor of Human Movement Science, and from Queensland University of Technology in June 2000 with a Graduate Diploma of Health Science (majoring in Human Movement with a specialisation in Exercise Rehabilitation), Merendi has been working in the areas of occupational rehabilitation, personal training and with health and well-being programs since 1999.

She has reached the highest level of accreditation with ESSA as an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP), which allows her to see clients referred under the "Medicare Enhanced Primary Health Care Scheme" and "Department of Veteran Affairs". Merendi has been in private practice for 7 years working within a range of areas including Workers Compensation, Corporate Health, Chronic Disease Management and Occupational Rehabilitation.

Merendi's individually developed wellness programs are for people of all ages and fitness levels. She has a fresh and vibrant, but structured approach to her programs, thus ensuring that you stay highly motivated and focused on achieving your goals, whilst also having fun along the way.

Merendi is also an experienced Rehabilitation Consultant. She has worked for a number of Self Insured companies assisting them in returning their injured employees successfully to their pre-employment positions. Merendi has excellent skills in developing goal-orientated rehabilitation and return to work plans. She is a qualified Rehabilitation and Return to Work Coordinator with Q-Comp and is currently a recognised rehabilitation provider with Comcare (Federal Workers Compensation).

As well as her private practice, Merendi's experience includes:

Being the current 'Chair' for QLD ESSA (formerly AAESS)
Being a Director of QLD AAESS
Being the 2009 President of the community run C&K Samford Community Kindergarten
Being an active Task Force member for the "Caboolture Mums & Little Ones Project"
Conducting Health & Fitness Evaluations and providing advice on exercise and general health for various Corporate Groups
Conducting Group Fitness Classes for mothers during pregnancy and post-birth
Conducting“Ergonomic Workstation Assessments” for a variety of Companies
Working for a number of Occupational Rehabilitation Providers developing and coordinating “Pain Management & Work Hardening" Programs, and delivering exercise programs for injured workers
Working as a Rehabilitation Consultant for a number of Self Insured Companies and Large Employers to assist in returning their injured employees back to work
Presenting a number of seminars on the benefits of exercise in improving Health and Wellbeing for special groups such as Diabetes, Breast Cancer and Pregnancy

On a personal note, Merendi is a mother to 5 year old non-identical twin boys and 2 year old daughter. Since becoming a mum in 2004 Merendi now understands and appreciates the importance of good health and exercise during pregnancy and after giving birth. Since this time she has developed a specialist interest in developing specific exercise programs for women during their pregnancy and postbirth, due to her own experiences of pregnancy, child birth and raising children. Merendi herself knows the time constraints of mothers and offers exercise programs tailored to fit in with every mother's busy life.

See Merendi's articles & her responses as an Expert Panelist on the following websites;

Follow Merendi on Twitter for links to great articles, tips, resources and to see what she is up to.

Follow Merendi on Facebook

Join Merendin on LinkedIn

Link to Merendi's NetworkedBlogs page

Carly Ryan

Senior Accredited Exercise Physiologist - BAppSc (HMS), AEP, MESSA

Carly graduated 2005 from Queensland University of Technology with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Human Movement Studies and has been working as an Accredited Exercise Physiologist for Merendi Health & Wellness since February 2006.

Carly was appointed as our Project Coordinator for the Healthy Lifestyle Program (Lighten Up to a Healthy Lifestyle) in May 2007 and is responsible for developing a range of nutrition and physical activity education and intervention programs for chronic disease and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations in the Gympie and Cooloola shire regions.

Carly has worked with a wide range of populations, with a particular interest in chronic diseases such as Type II Diabetes and injury rehabilitation. She currently works with clients through schemes such as Medicare Australia, Department of Veteran Affairs, WorkCover Qld, private health funds and insurance companies. Carly is qualified to perform a range of health assessments including pre-employment, functional capacity evaluations and fitness tests. She also conducts a variety of education seminars to many different populations including chronic disease support groups, general practitioners and general population, which focus on suitable exercise interventions for varying types of medical conditions including diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease etc. Carly currently sees clients in the northern suburbs of Brisbane and in Gympie.

Carly is a qualified Pilates Matwork Instructor and specializes in core strength and posture from people with low back or neck pain right through to anybody looking for a fun low impact exercise alternative.

Her goal with every client is to assess all problem areas and weaknesses through a range of assessment tools and then works with the client to devise a specific, planned exercise program. Through combining a range of education and tips for motivation she loves to help all her clients with any type of goal, from improving cardiovascular fitness, to enhancing function and strength, or increasing flexibility and core stability. From self-managed programs to personal training Carly can help you get the most of your program!

On a personal note, Carly enjoys lots of spectator sports and in her spare time loves walking, reading, watching movies and listening to music.

Chantal Williamson

Accredited Exercise Physiologist - BSc(Sport & Ex), GradDipEduc, AEP, MESSA

Chantal graduated from the University of the Sunshine Coast in 2006 completing a Bachelor of Science (Exercise and Sports Science) with a minor in Performance Enhancement. In 2007 Chantal completed a Graduate Diploma of Secondary Education through the Australian Catholic University. Chantal enjoys working with clients both in group and individual situations and seeing them achieve results and an overall more balanced lifestyle. On a personal note Chantal enjoys staying healthy by participating in various sports and getting to the beach whenever she can.

Jessica Singleton

Accredited Exercise Physiologist - BHMvt (ExRehab), GradDipExSc(Rehab) , AEP, MESSA

Jessica graduated from Charles Sturt University in 2008 completing a Bachelor of Human Movement specialising in Exercise Rehabilitation. She then furthered her study by going back to Charles Sturt and completing a Graduate Diploma of Exercise Science (Rehabilitation) in 2010. Jessica has a real interest in Pilates and postural analysis. She currently teaches Pilates cat our Brendale centre and enjoys seeing her client’s improvements in core strength and management of low back pain. She uses her Pilates knowledge to keep herself fit and healthy and enjoys working out with friends on a regular basis. Jessica also runs Corporate Pilates classes for lour arge corporations and is involved with our Corporate Health programs and health assessments.

Alessandra Winfield

Dietitian - BAppSci (Nutritional Science), BHlthSci (Nutrition & Dietetics) HONS

Alessandra is an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) who works in private practice in Brisbane. She is a member of the Dietitians Association of Australia. Alessandra has been working the field of Nutrition and Health Promotion for 15 years in areas such as The Department of Veterans Affairs, Australian Bureau of Statistics, Redcliffe Hospital, Prince Charles Hospital, Holy Spirit Hospital, Tree of Life Nutrition and now under her own company name of ‘Ripe Nutrition’. Her passion and nutrition-speciality is in the area of infertility, pregnancy, postnatal and kids. Her second interest area is that in Diabetes management. She consults with individuals and presents seminars and workshops.

Areas she covers, but not limited to include:

Diabetes management
Weight Loss
Cholesterol management
Infertility – pre-conception / assisted reproduction
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
Pregnancy – Healthy eating / Gestational diabetes / Weight management / Multiples
Infant and Child Nutrition -Reflux / Allergies / Weaning / Fussy eaters / Failure to thrive
Child weight management
Food Intolerances and Allergies
Healthy Eating on a Budget
Improving general nutrition and energy levels
Brain Food for Children (improving learning and behaviour)

Michael Tiffin

Remedial Massage Therapist - AdvDipAcupuncture, Cert 4 Remedial Massage, Biomesotherapy Practitioner

Michael has always had an interest in sport as an active member of both local and representative Cricket together with Volleyball and Australian Rules Football.

Sustaining a serious workplace injury and being told that surgery and life on medications was his future, Michael sought out alternative therapies to assist him in returning to a normal active life without the need for surgery and medication.

Michael found acupuncture, massage and Biomesotherapy aided his recovery and ultimately allowed him to stop taking prescription pain killers and anti-inflammatories. He then decided he wanted to share his experiences and success with others and commenced study first in Massage Therapy and then further enhancing his practice into Acupuncture and Biomesotherapy. Today Michael is finalising his studies with a Bachelor Degree in Applied Science specialising in Chinese Medicine.

Michael has worked with the Western Australian Mixed Netball Team, National Representatives and also specialises in treating workplace injuries & helping people return to normal active lives without pain.

Christie Will

Remedial Massage Therapist - BA(psych), Dip Remedial Massage, Certified Infant Massage Instructor (CIMI)

While studying psychology at the University of Queensland Christie was encouraged to try something different to keep up her interest in her university studies. So, under advice from her mother, Christie signed up for a relaxation massage course in 1998. After doing a week of ‘work experience’ at the end on 1998, she was offered a casual job as a physiotherapy assistant at a large multidisciplinary clinic at Manly West, which she started in 1999. Christie completed her Bachelor of Arts (double major psychology) mid 1999 but found massage more her style for the current time.

Finally in 2006 she went back to study her Diploma of Remedial Massage part time and graduated in January 2008. In 2009 Christie completed her Certified Infant Massage Instructors course, enabling her to teach parents and guardians how to massage their babies and children.

Christie's specialities in styles of massage include Relaxation, Remedial, Deep Tissue, Lymphatic & Hot Stone.

Christie has been a member of Australian Natural Therapists Association since March 2008 and a Professional Member of the Infant Massage Information Services since 2009.

Marion Grimshaw

Bowen Therapist, Massage Therapist & Life Coach - DipRemTherapies, Cert IV Bowen Therapy, Cert IV Counselling

Prior to becoming a therapist Marion worked in the community in various roles offering support and counselling to people working with issues such as ageing, disability, unemployment, sexual abuse, childhood trauma, grief and relationship breakdown.

Marion has in the past worked with the "Women's Centre for Health Matters" in Canberra where she implemented the 'honouring the body' massage service for women who had experienced violence. She has provided massage and counselling services to members of the "Multiple Sclerosis Society of ACT". Marion also had the opportunity to work as part fo the TRANSACT program where she was able to assist refugees with settling in Australia.

Marion's experiences have kindled a great interest in the mind, body and spirit connection, and with having worked for many years with people who have experienced trauma or violence (either as children or as adults), she has noticed that when physical therapies such as Bowen or massage are used, it will initiate an emotional response. Whether people present with emotional or physical problems Marion can work wholistically to assist them to heal.

As well as Bowen Therapy and massage Marion uses a diverse range of other therapies such as Thought Field Therapy, Reiki and Bach Flower Essences to bring about emotional healing. All these modalities are very gentle ways of assisting the healing process.