Meet our Team

Mahn Cooke – Principle / Director

Mahn studied at the James Cook University Townsville Campus, completing a Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science in 2001.

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On completion of his degree, Mahn worked as a Fitness Centre Manager for several years at James Cook University. During his time at the University Fitness Centre, Mahn recognised a need for a dedicated facility that specialised in exercise solutions for people with complex medical conditions that require exercise rehabilitation. As Director of Health Studio, Mahn strives to ensure his practice is leading the way in the delivery of programs to address the needs of North Queenslanders.

Mahn is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) and member of Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA).

When not at work Mahn is … camping, fishing, renovating his queenlander or chasing after his kids!

Jason Lanfranchi – Exercise Physiologist

Jason studied at James Cook University completing a Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science in 2003.

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Jason has extensive experience in the health and fitness industry, delivering evidence based outcomes to North Queenslanders for over 10 years. Jason’s particular areas of interest include human biomechanics, physiology and strength and conditioning.

Jason is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) and member of Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA).

When not at work Jason is … enjoying time with family.

Will Hall – Exercise Physiologist

Will graduated from James Cook University in 2016, completing a Bachelor of Exercise Physiology (Clinical).

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Will is a North Queensland local growing up in Cairns before moving to Townsville which he has called home for the last 6 years. Will has been a part of the Health Studio team since leaving University developing a great passion for helping people through exercise, support and guidance when it comes to their health.

Will has a huge passion for helping people with chronic pain and using a biopsychosocial approach that gives the person more understanding and confidence to move with chronic pain he has seen large positive outcomes for his clientele. Will continues to develop his skill set with assisting people with chronic pain.

Will is also one of our gait retraining therapists and is able to help people with our new LiteGait device.

Will is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) and a member of Exercise Sports Science Australia (ESSA).

When not at work Will is … watching any sport he can find.

Tessa Underwood – Exercise Physiologist

Tessa graduated from James Cook University in 2016, completing a Bachelor of Exercise Physiology (Clinical).

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Through Tessa’s experience, she has been able to obtain an appreciation for the impact an Accredited Exercise Physiologist can have on improving an individual’s quality of life. Tessa has gained profound experiences across her area’s of interest which include women’s health, cancer treatment, musculoskeletal orthopaedic prehabilitation/rehabilitation, metabolic syndrome, and mental health conditions. Tessa has proven her ability to establish an innovative approach for the individualised implementation of therapeutic exercise. Tessa has an appreciation of the barriers we are faced with on a daily basis, and will assist clients to obtain the knowledge and awareness required to implement healthier choices independently, and understand how the effects of regular appropriate activity can have a lasting impact on quality of life.

Tessa is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) and member of Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA).

When not at work Tessa is … finding fun ways to be active, catching up with friends, or spending time with family.

Rick Van der Zant – Exercise Physiologist

Rick graduated from James Cook University in 2019, completing a Bachelor of Exercise Physiology (Clinical).

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Rick is originally from Sydney but moved to the Atherton Tablelands ten years ago before moving to Townsville in 2017 for university where he completed one of his placement blocks at Health Studio.

Rick was a competitive swimmer throughout his teen years competing at both a state and national level. Rick enjoys all aspects of being an Exercise Physiologist but his main interests involve musculoskeletal and neurological conditions.

Rick is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) and member of Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA).

When not at work Rick is … in the pool swimming laps or relaxing at home.

Kelly Pitcher – Exercise Physiologist

Kelly graduated from James Cook University in 2018, completing a Bachelor of Exercise Physiology (Clinical).

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Kelly is from Cairns and moved to Townsville for her final year of University where she completed her final placement here at Health Studio. After graduating, Kelly moved to Tamworth to work in the Occupational Rehabilitation field, and gained experience working with a range of musculoskeletal, cancer and mental health conditions. Kelly is currently working with a wide range of clients with different conditions, however, her main interests are neurological and musculoskeletal conditions. Kelly also loves hydrotherapy and assisting her clients in the water to achieve their goals.

Kelly is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) and member of Exercise Sport Science Australia (ESSA).

When not at work Kelly is … catching up with her family and friends and enjoying the occasional pizza.

Tayla Argent – Exercise Physiologist

Tayla graduated from James Cook University in 2020, completing a Bachelor of Exercise Physiology (Clinical).

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Tayla is from Cairns and moved to Townsville in 2019 to complete her studies. Tayla enjoys working with a wide range of clients, however has a special interest in neurological and metabolic conditions. Tayla also loves hydrotherapy and assisting her clients in the water. Tayla is always excited to expand her knowledge and learn about different conditions!

Tayla is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) and a member of Exercise Sport Science Australia (ESSA).

When not at work Tayla is … visiting Cairns to catch up with friends and family and adventuring outdoors!

Emily Harding – Exercise Physiologist

Emily is our newest recruit to join the Health Studio team!

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Born and raised in Townsville, she is no stranger to the North Queensland humidity, although loves to venture out and travel when she gets the chance.

Playing basketball for 17 years and 2 seasons of AFL, Emily has always had a very active lifestyle – her interest in sports and exercise sparked her passion for the Exercise Physiology industry.

She enjoys working with an extensive range of clientele although has already found an interest in the biopsychosocial approach to chronic pain management and is eager to expand her knowledge in this area with research and experience.

Emily also enjoys are assisting participants with mental health conditions and retraining gait with our LiteGait device in our neurological clinic.

Emily is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) and a member of Exercise Sport Science Australia (ESSA).

When not at work Emily is… playing AFL or basketball and catching up with friends and family.

Heidi Cooke – Clinic Manager

Heidi officially came on board in 2015, having helped behind the scenes for a number of years beforehand.

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Heidi moved from Cairns to Townsville after meeting Mahn in 2003. Heidi originally had a background as a town planner in the private sector, however after the birth of their first child, decided to become more involved in the business on a day-to-day basis.

When not at work Heidi is… spending time with her two little kids at home and visiting family in Cairns.

Katrina Dixon – Receptionist

Although not born in Townsville, Katrina has spent most of her life here in Tropical North Queensland.

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Katrina graduated from High School in 2018 and from there went on to study a Bachelor of Nursing Science at James Cook University. She is now in the second year of her degree, learning content that helps make her the understanding and supportive receptionist here at Health Studio.

After playing indoor cricket for 7 years (and counting), Kat is no stranger to the friendly, active environment Health Studio provides. She wants to contribute as much as she can to the team as our newest receptionist; keeping the studio an organised and efficient workplace.

When not at work Kat is…
At uni, playing indoor cricket or spending time with family & friends.