Meet Simone, a true-blue Wollongong local with adrenaline in her veins. Growing up, she zoomed around Australia with her family, tearing up Motocross tracks.
But she realized the athlete’s life wasn’t quite her speed, so she figured, “If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em.”
After a few too many gap years post-high school travelling through the rocky mountains, Simone landed back in Sydney to tackle a Bachelor of Sport & Exercise Science at WSU. Then, quicker than you can say “Go Dragons,” she dove into a Masters of Clinical Exercise Physiology at UOW. And guess what? She’s still not done learning! Simone’s now knee-deep in a 3.5-year PhD gig at the University of Wollongong, geeking out over performance hacks and rehab strategies with the NRL squad.
But when she’s not buried in books, Simone’s all about chasing thrills. You’ll catch her shredding slopes, catching waves, or throwing down at Crossfit Wollongong. Life for her is all about living it up—whether she’s cheering at a game, sneaking off on a spontaneous trip, or jetting away for a snowboarding session every summer in Japan/Canada. During more laid-back weekends, you’ll find her devouring an entire book in just a couple of days lying by a beach somewhere.
So, if you spot Simone at the clinic or walking on the blue mile, don’t be shy—swing by and share a laugh with this adventure-loving soul!
Highlights working PH:
There is never a bad day at Physiohealth. From walking up the laneway listening to Elton John blasting over the speakers at 6:30am, to working alongside some of the smartest and inspiring people I have ever met, how could you not love coming to work?
What do you love about your career?
The different avenues you can take! Did you know I started a PhD in 2024 at UOW? I split my time between working clinically at Physiohealth half of the week and researching Rugby League with the George Illawarra Dragons, ask me about it next time you are in!
What gets you out of bed?
Seeing the trust, dedication and commitment our patients have to their goals. Watching you work hard in the gym all day and the relationships we build with you is truly one of a kind. You know what they say, when you love your job you will never work a day in your life.
Go outside, get some Vitamin D (Sunshine) or some salt water therapy, a good book and forget about the world for a minute. I also love journaling and reading educational books!
What would people be surprised to know about you?
I never played team sports as a kid! I loved extreme sports, so I raced motocross, snowboarded, and spent a lot of my childhood in boat water skiing and wakeboarding. I didn’t play team sports untill i was 13 when I started netball although that was short lived when i stopped growing and my team quickly outgrew me (i’m the short simone).
What’s your Karaoke song?
Eminem: Lose Yourself
What makes you laugh the most?
Rom Com movies, the cornier the better! – got any movie suggestions? send them my way!
Guilty pleasure:
Ice Cream (any flavour, anytime, anywhere) whilst binge watching snowboarding on youtube.
Woolies, Coles or Aldi and why?
Leisure coast fruit market and Illawarra small goods are my go to, but Aldi for weekly shop and the special buys!
Toilet paper hung over or under?
Over, and definitely no scrunching, that should be illegal.
What do you love about Wollongong?
Being so close to the ocean, I love the coastal lifestyle, but being in a city that is still relatively big. It’s close enough to head down to the snowy mountains too for a sneaky weekend trip!
Favourite local café & your coffee order?
Large Vanilla Latte with an Extra Shot 😉 and probably a sweet treat to go with it.
P.s Coriander?
Absolutely yes
