National Academic Faculty

The Australian Institute of Fitness is proud to have established Australia's largest faculty of experts dedicated to training professionals for the fitness industry. As a Registered Training Organisation it is a requirement that all of our Course Coaches are qualified in the subjects taught. However, the Institute goes one step further by ensuring Course Coaches also have current and relevant experience in the fitness industry so you can be sure you are learning from someone who is walking the talk.

Nationally, the Institute's faculty is governed by the National Training Team. The National Training Team Committee ensures that the delivery and assessment strategies for all programs are updated and compliant with the industry endorsed training packages. Committee representatives have the expertise to combine curriculum design with industry commonsense. The committee members are:

Vicki Tuchtan - National Training Team Captain

Name: Vicki Tuchtan
Qualifications: holds both undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in education from RMIT, currently completing a PhD
Experience: Over 20 years in education and fitness instruction
Favourite Fitness Activity: Anything to do with water
Favourite Play Away: Relaxing at beach house
Favourite Food: Strawberries
Favourite Movie: The Devil Wears Prada
Tip for Institute Friends: In life we are surrounded by learning opportunities so be sure to make the most of them wherever you go

Lisa Chivers - National Master Coach (Fitness)

Name: Lisa Chivers (Nickname: CMT - Chivers me timbers)
Qualifications: Master of Education (Exercise Physiology), Bachelor of Human Movement with Honours (Biomechanics), University of Western Australia
Experience: Over 27 years as a fitness educator and presenter in the health/fitness industry (started when she was 5 years of age!); International Fitness Presenter and Education Manager for FitPro (UK) 1992-98, Education Manager, presenter and FILEX presenter for Australian Fitness Network 1998-2004; formerly Master Coach for NSW.
Favourite Fitness Activity: Run, swim, body weight and free weight training
Favourite Play Away: Boating, skiing, bookworm for downtime
Favourite Food: Is champagne a food? Seafood and savouries.
Favourite Movie: Happy Gilmore
Tip for Institute Friends: Change is inevitable, growth is optional - choose to grow!

Chris Bennett - National Master Coach (Massage)

Name: Chris Bennett (Nickname: Cool Hand Chris)
Qualifications: Bachelor of Health Science (Musculoskeletal Therapy), Australian College of Natural Medicine; Diploma of Remedial Massage Therapy, Australian Institute of Fitness; Feldenkrais Practitioner Certificate, Cumberland College of Health Sciences University of Sydney.
Experience: Private massage practice since 1982, teaching massage since 1983 at Institutions such as TAFE, University Extension (UWA), Australian College of Natural Health Sciences, Australian College of Natural Medicine and Australian Institute of Fitness.
Favourite Fitness Activity: Weight training (body building).
Favourite Play Away: Malt whisky appreciation.
Favourite Food: Chicken Curry.
Favourite Book: The Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman.
Tip for Institute Friends: Believe in yourself, "you can do it!"

Tallan Ames - Regional Training Team Captain, WA

Name: Tallan Ames (Nickname: Amesy)
Qualifications: Bachelor of Sports Science, Graduate Diploma in Physical Education, Edith Cowan University
Experience: Over 8 years in the fitness industry, progressed from Course Coach to Training Team Captain, 150+ senior WAFL games
Favourite Fitness Activity: Olympic lifting
Favourite Play Away: Adventure and extreme activities e.g. scuba diving deep
Favourite Food: Steak and anything that you can throw on the BBQ
Favourite Movie: Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgandy
Tip for Institute Friends: "You gotta grip it 'n' rip it"

Darren Fidge - Regional Training Team Captain, SA/ NT

Name: Darren Fidge (Nickname: Fidgey)
Qualifications: Diploma in 'Quick Wit', TAA
Experience: Over 10 years as a Personal Trainer for 10 years and over 20 years as a Pro-Baseball in Australia and USA; plus Health Club Manager Perfect and Pool Operator
Favourite Fitness Activity: Lifting heavy things
Favourite Play Away: Fishing with the kiddies
Favourite Food: Chips and beer
Favourite Quote: Good things come to those who work hard
Tip for Institute Friends: "You'll never know it all, always strive to learn more!"

Gayle Brimble - Regional Training Team Captain, NSW/ACT

Name: Gayle Brimble
Qualifications: Bachelor of Arts (Dance), University of Adelaide, Diploma Workplace Training & Assessing
Experience: Entered fitness industry in 1990, fitness educator since 1994 including National Trainer for Les Mills Asia Pacific for 9 years and a FILEX presenter, State Mixed Pairs Champion Sport Aerobics (1990s) and a principle dancer for the Moving Parts Dance company (1990)
Favourite Fitness Activity: Cycling, Boogie boarding and Body Balance.
Favourite Play Away: Snow Skiing (just learnt in 2010!)
Favourite Food: Seafood
Favourite Movie: Love Actually
Tip for Institute Friends: "Put in the hard work not expecting anything in return and doors will magically open for you!"

Kate Kraschnefski - Regional Training Team Captain, QLD

Name: Kate Kraschnefski (Nickname: Katey Krasch)
Qualifications: Bachelor of Applied Science, Certified Kettlebell Instructor - Level 1 (International Kettlebell & Fitness Federation)
Experience: Personal Trainer, Personal Training Manager, Group Exercise Instructor, Fitness Business Owner, Fitness Sales & Marketing Manager
Favourite Fitness Activity: Russian Kettlebell training & Indoor cycling
Favourite Play Away: Movies & music, as well as heading into the wilderness!
Favourite Food: Chocolate... if only I could live on it!
Favourite Quote: "The only way to move up from a place of mere survival to stability, and from stability to success, and from success to significance, is to engage in an inspired field of endeavour that will enable you to bring significant benefits to others." - Zig Ziglar
Tip for Institute Friends: "Be passionate about your career path and always open to learning."

Charles Tuchtan - Regional Training Team Captain, VIC/ TAS

Name: Charles Tuchtan (Nickname: Chuck)
Qualifications: Master of Education, Advanced Diploma in Myotherapy, Advanced Diploma in Business all from RMIT, Diploma of Training and Assessment NMIT
Experience: Involved in the health and fitness industry since 1991 and in VET and Higher Education since 1998.
Favourite Fitness Activity: Working out in the gym with mates
Favourite Play Away: Anything to do with water - jet skiing, sailing, and being with my family
Favourite Food: Any desert and my wife's risotto
Favourite Movie: The Love Guru
Tip for Institute Friends: "Life is a journey of learning, be engaged in it and you will grow."

Joanna Nicholas - Regional Master Coach (Fitness), WA

Name: Joanna Nicholas (Nickname: Jeté)
Qualifications: Bachelor of Health & Exercise Science, University of Western Australia
Experience: Entered the industry in 2003 as a Group Exercise Instructor and Personal Trainer (including a period in London) plus years experience as a consultant in program/course development, and magazine health and fitness editor. Since 2007, has competed nationally and internationally in fitness/sports modeling.
Favourite Fitness Activity: Variety! Running, dancing, boxing, weight training and yoga
Favourite Play Away: Training or getting out in the fresh air!
Favourite Food: Quinoa (only because coffee isn't a food)
Favourite Quote: Live Your Bliss
Tip for Institute Friends: "Practice what you preach"

Mark Davis - Regional Master Coach (Fitness), NSW/ACT

Name: Mark William Davis (Nickname: Darwus Robustus)
Qualifications: Bachelor of Applied Science (Physiotherapy), Bachelor of Physical Education
Experience: Over 18 years as a physiotherapist, over 25 years in fitness industry, FILEX presenter and fitness presenter since 1990 including lecturing with the Institute, Australian Fitness Network. Australian Catholic University, University of NSW, Wollongong University and CHISM
Favourite Fitness Activity: Chucking heavy stuff around
Favourite Play Away: Surfing
Favourite Food: Chocolate
Favourite Movie: Napoleon Dynamite
Tip for Institute Friends: "Always try your hardest and behave!"

Thamsin Dunn - Regional Master Coach (Fitness), SA/NT

Name: Thamsin Dunn (Nickname: Tenacious T)
Qualifications: Bachelor of Applied Science (Human Movement), University of South Australia, ISAK Level 1 Pre-Hospital Emergency Care
Experience: Over 7 years as a Personal Trainer specialising in Active Ageing; over 4 years Exercise Scientist specialising in physical rehabilitation
Favourite Fitness Activity: Any competitive sport!
Favourite Play Away: Riding fabulous horses and skiing
Favourite Food: Beetroot
Favourite Quote: There are no shortcuts to any place worth going
Tip for Institute Friends: There are no stupid questions- ask away!

Brad McGregor - Regional Master Coach (Fitness), QLD

Name: Brad McGregor
Qualifications: Master of Sport Science (Professional) from Bond University, Graduate Certificate in Exercise Medicine from Monash University, Bachelor of Human Movement Science from Southern Cross University
Experience: Exercise physiologist specialising in musculoskeletal rehabilitation, strength & conditioning for team sports, sports education consultancy.
Favourite Fitness Activity: Power training & Olympic lifting
Favourite Play Away: Fishing
Favourite Food: Any seafood
Favourite Quote: "Many things in life will catch your eye, few will catch your heart...pursue those."
Tip for Institute Friends: "Persevere & never lose sight of your goals."

Toni Reinikainen - Regional Master Coach (Fitness), VIC/TAS

Name: Toni Reinikainen (Nickname:Ice Man)
Qualifications: Bachelor of Sports and Exercise Science, University of the Sunshine Coast, Diploma of Fitness, Diploma of Sport & Recreation
Experience: Over 7 years experience as a fitness and strength/conditioning professional including working with state and regional sporting teams, individual athletes from a wide range of sports plus general population.
Favourite Fitness Activity: Decathlon training! Mix it up people.
Favourite Play Away: Anything outdoors - mountain running, mountain biking, scuba diving, rock climbing, beach volleyball, football (the world game with a round ball for the uneducated).
Favourite Food: Chocolate
Favourite Movie: Brave Heart
Tip for Institute Friends: "Get as much training experience as possible before and after the course. Don't be afraid to change!"

The Institute has three schools to cover the three major disciplines. Each School has a National Master Coach, empowered to drive continual improvement and the highest standards of delivery. The National Master Coaches are: