Evado StudiosThornbury

James McFarlane

Director | APA Physiotherapist

Doctor of Physiotherapy
B. Exercise & Sport Science/B. Commerce (Sports Management)

James is the Director and Principal Physiotherapist at Evado Studios Thornbury and is passionate about giving all Evado Studios clients the belief and confidence they can take their health to the next level.

As a Physiotherapist, James enjoys working with individuals of all levels and ages in the prevention and management of injuries, in particular those with ongoing spinal pain. He has undergone extensive Clinical Pilates training and along with ensuring accurate diagnosis, he has an emphasis on individualised rehabilitation programs involving Clinical Pilates and Clinical Strength. He believes exercise plays a vital role in ensuring recovery from the initial injury through to achieving long term goals. He also enjoys working with post-operative patients to aid in their recovery and return to optimal health and performance.

James is currently the Head Physiotherapist for Northcote City FC. He has previously been involved with the Darebin Falcons VFLW and Melbourne Storm National Youth League Team, along with playing football at TAC Cup and VFL level.

Special interests:

• Physiotherapy and Clinical Pilates for ongoing spinal pain
• Sports injury management
• Post-surgical rehabilitation

Tom Radicevic

APA Physiotherapist

Master of Physiotherapy Practice
Bachelor of Health Science

Tom graduated from La Trobe University with a Master of Physiotherapy Practice and Bachelor of Health Science.

Tom’s keen interest in physiotherapy originated from his lifelong passion for sport, encountering his own injuries while playing football and basketball.  This resulted in a large amount of time spent on the physiotherapy table himself as a patient.

Tom has experience in dealing with a wide range of musculoskeletal and sports injuries both in their acute and chronic forms.  He enjoys working collaboratively with all his patients to achieve their health and fitness goals through the latest evidence-based techniques.  Tom recognises the importance of educating and empowering patients to take an active role in their recovery, using individualised exercise programs and Clinical Pilates in the studio.

Tom is currently the Head Physiotherapist for the Darebin Falcons VFLW. He has acquired valuable experience in injury prevention and management while also working as the Physiotherapist for the Sandringham Dragons in the AFL NAB League and De La Salle in the VAFA.

Sally Lynch

APA Physiotherapist

Bachelor of Physiotherapy

Masters of Sports Physiotherapy (Currently Completing)

Sally graduated from Charles Sturt University in Albury with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy before moving to Melbourne to play football in the VFLW, where she plays for the Darebin Falcons. 

Sally is currently completing her Master of Sports and Exercise Physiotherapy through La Trobe University which is helping her realise her goal of becoming a specialist Sports Physiotherapist. Having played high-level soccer as a teenager and now football, she has an in-depth understanding of the requirements of athletes and a passion for sport, which has guided her career thus far.  

Sally enjoys working with people of all ages and abilities, particularly young athletes. She understands the drive to continue playing wherever possible and works with her patients to minimise injury risk and rehabilitate any injuries as quickly and effectively as possible. 

Ben Maher

Exercise Scientist | Personal Trainer

Bachelor of Exercise & Sports Science

Masters in Strength & Conditioning (Currently completing)

Ben is an accredited Exercise Scientist passionate about working with clients towards goals whilst empowering them in the process. His training approach is based on building a foundation of strength through a combination of bodyweight and free-weight exercises. He strives to make classes both enjoyable and fulfilling, strongly believing in the power of this to help clients achieve their long-term goals. 

Ben loves all sports, in particular mixed martial arts and soccer. He has a great interest in the role of strength and conditioning to aid athletes both through performance and injury prevention. He wishes to further pursue this pathway throughout his career.

Seb Mather

Exercise Scientist | Personal Trainer

Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Currently Completing)

Master in Exercise Science (Strength & Conditioning)

Bachelor of Exercise & Sports Science

Seb has worked as a Personal Trainer since 2011 and thoroughly enjoys connecting with each of his clients whilst working hard towards their goals. Since completing his Masters in Exercise Science (Strength & Conditioning) he has worked with athletes at Oakleigh Chargers Football Club, the Victorian Women’s Cricket Team & the Melbourne Stars. In 2021 he returned to university to study Physiotherapy at Latrobe.

He loves to stay active, regularly running and wanting to be as strong as he can be in the gym. Some new hobbies of his include cycling and golf and he can’t wait to travel around the world again (currently up to 45 countries).

Jake Pitruzzello

Exercise Scientist | Personal Trainer

Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science (Currently Completing)

Certificate III and IV in Fitness

Jake is a certified Personal Trainer and an Exercise Science student who has worked with both groups and individuals. He applies the latest scientific research to design effective and personalized training programs for his clients. He helps them achieve their short-term and long-term fitness goals, whether they are related to health or performance.

Jake is a fitness and sports enthusiast who has participated in various activities such as cricket, football, soccer, tennis and athletics. He plans to pursue a Master of Physiotherapy and specialise in injury prevention and rehabilitation. He is eager to share his knowledge and passion with his clients and help them improve their quality of life.

Victoria Greensmith

Fitness Pilates Instructor

Certificate IV in Pilates Matwork and Reformer

Victoria was born, raised and worked in Mexico City as a public relations consultant and journalist. After raising a family and work experience in various fields including corporate and event management, Victoria developed shoulder and hip chronic pain which left her unable to continue Latin Dance, the sport she loved most. Out of this experience, she learned that if we do not feel physically strong, our mental fitness is depleted as well. With the support of the Evado team, Victoria went on to discover Pilates and an approach to wellness for reclaiming her best self. This personal odyssey inspired her to train and work towards gaining her certification as a matwork and reformer Pilates Instructor.

Having travelled extensively in Mexico, the USA and Europe, Victoria has trained in various Pilates studios which have given her further knowledge and a great repertoire of exercises that she enjoys sharing with her clients in Melbourne.

Victoria loves to challenge her clients and strongly believes that consistency, dedication and patience are key for achieving positive results.

Fiona Cameron

Fitness Pilates Instructor

Diploma in Professional Pilates Instruction (Aligned for Life)

Bachelor of Arts Dance Performance (VCA)

Fiona has been teaching movement and pilates for over thirty years to people of all abilities from elite dance professionals to primary school children.

She first experienced the extraordinary benefits of Pilates for injury recovery, core strength, coordination and alignment during her extensive career as a contemporary dancer with Chunky Move. In recent years Fiona has found pilates to be the perfect antidote to our fast and complex lives which don’t always give us time to breathe and move well.

Fiona loves moving the body in multiple ways to optimise flexibility, strength and ease.

Irina Pichueva

Fitness Pilates Instructor

Certificate IV in Pilates (Matwork & Reformer)

Irina started doing Pilates in 2014 as a hobby and very quickly became addicted to the benefits and empowerment that she felt through the exercise.

Irina is a Certified Pilates instructor who has experience teaching across Europe and Australia. She brings this unique experience to her Pilates teaching at Evado Studios.

Her style of Pilates is a combination of intense training mixed with the fun of Pilates in order to provide her clients with healthier minds, bodies, and souls.

Belle Ash

Fitness Pilates Instructor

Diploma of Clinical Pilates

Cert IV in Pilates Matwork and Reformer

Doctor of Philosophy: Neuropharmacology

Bachelor of Health Sciences: Human Anatomy & Physiology (Hons)

Yoga Alliance YTT200 Certified Yoga Teacher

Cert III & IV in Fitness

Belle began her career in the fitness industry at age 19 and immediately jumped in head-first to run her own personal training business. Over the years she has worked as a group exercise leader teaching everything from Yoga and Pilates, to high-energy Les Mills classes and freestyle aerobics. As her career evolved, Belle's thirst for knowledge led her on to tertiary studies in the area of Human Anatomy & Physiology. She went on to complete a PhD by research at La Trobe University, then took up an academic teaching appointment as a lecturer in Human Biosciences.

Belle is no stranger to injury, aches and pains, having experienced chronic back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome and repetitive strain injury in her former profession. She is a big believer in the pilates method after experiencing first-hand the improvements that it has brought to her life.

In a class with Belle, you can expect to be challenged to reach new limits and discover the amazing things that your body is capable of doing.

Belle is a self-confessed gym junkie and enjoys powerlifting, yoga loves to get out in nature for bushwalks in her spare time.

Ivana Low

Fitness Pilates Instructor

Bachelor of Health Science/Bachelor of Applied Science (Chinese Medicine)

Certificate III in Fitness

Ivana is an avid lover of movement, holistic medicine, chocolate and all things pink and beautiful.

She came to Pilates from the world of dance and a severe ankle injury. Falling in love with this form of movement that got her back on her feet, she has since been passionately helping others to move functionally, and freely and live life well.

Pilates complements her work as an Acupuncturist and holds synergy with her philosophy of whole and balanced health.
Her classes reflect this all-rounded approach which aims to leave clients feeling strong, fluid, challenged and grounded.

Maddie Newman

Admin Team Leader

Bachelor Of Physical Education and Sport Science

Maddie has a passion for health and fitness and loves seeing people achieve their goals in the supportive environment of Evado Studios.

She has recently completed a Bachelor of Physical Education and Sport Science at Victoria University. She aspires to be a secondary physical education and health teacher, and she will begin a Masters of Secondary Teaching in 2024. 

Outside of work, Maddie can be found at her dance studio, in the gym, or at the beach. Maddie loves a chat (especially about AFL; bonus points for Collingwood) and is always more than happy to answer any questions you have. 

Sylvia Mai

Admin Assistant

Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Currently Completing)

Sylvia loves the fun and uplifting environment consistent at Evado Studios. She is passionate about health and fitness and encourages others to push their physical limits in order to reach individual fitness goals and the associated benefits.  

Outside of work, Sylvia is currently completing a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) at LaTrobe University. She is also a consistent gym-goer and recently discovered the world of Pilates. 

Sylvia is part of the admin team, working on the front desk. She is welcoming and always keen for a chat, so do not hesitate to approach her in the studio.

Alisha Gasparini

Admin Assistant

Bachelor of Psychology (Currently Completing)

Alisha is currently studying for a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) and has had a passion for fitness from a young age.

Alisha has been in the dance industry for 18 years and has completed a range of achievements in the arts sector. Alisha strives to work collaboratively with Physiotherapists and Exercise Scientists to create a productive and positive workplace.

Alisha is driven to create uplifting, inclusive relationships with clients to create a safe space where people feel comfortable.

In her spare time, Alisha enjoys outdoor activities, spending time with friends and family and having fun at the beach.

Aurora Marquette

Admin Assistant

Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Currently Completing)

Rory loves to see the passion and enthusiasm at Evado, and assisting others to meet their fitness goals. She is always happy to answer your questions or have a chat about how to best approach your journey at Evado. 

In her spare time, Rory enjoys taking aerial circus classes, reading, seeing live music and going to the gym. 

Rory previously studied Biomedicine and is currently completing a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) at La Trobe University.