OUR MISSION

Thomas – Coach

Tom is a fully qualified personal trainer. He has a strong passion for all things health and fitness, plus pride in helping everyone reach their full potential. With a wide variety of skills from strength and conditioning, sports-related training, HIIT, and running a killer group fitness class.

At the age of 16, he was eager to learn everything related to the fitness industry. Starting off his career with every opportunity he could take, he completed work experience at Primal. His passion did not die; he went on to complete a Diploma of sport development and a certificate IV in fitness.

Tom is always looking for ways to continue to develop his knowledge and skills. Early January 2021 Tom took on an internship at The Academy school in Wangaratta, where he learned and mastered all things strength and conditioning. Tom gained his knowledge from the Head strength and conditioning manager, the Essendon campus head strength coach Jake Giannakis, plus Wangaratta Campus strength and conditioning Cam Bishop.

When Tom is not in the Club he enjoys long walks on the beach… Nah just kidding Tom loves anything sport-related and playing football and basketball. He has also won a few achievements in those sports as well. Getting out in the sun never disappoints him either.

If you are looking to improve your sports performance or increase your speed and endurance, Tom is the man for you. Enquire now to get started on your journey.

Rachel – Dietflex Coach

In her late teens, Rachel was constantly sick – there didn’t seem to be a cold she didn’t catch, and a joint that didn’t ache. It wasn’t until her back gave out and a chiropractor suggested to her that maybe, just maybe, her lifestyle was an issue. Apparently a diet of pizza and beer wasn’t healthy – who knew?

It was from then that Rachel first started learning about nutrition and exercise. She had dabbled in boxing and strength training, and looking back had been an active kid, but once she got to high school it all fell away. She never considered herself the type of person to go to a gym and her complete refusal to participate in gym class was a running joke. The best thing about being alive is that you can make changes, no matter how small or hard, and take it from there. And with that, Rachel found herself learning more about holistic living and remembering how good it felt to have a healthy body.

Rachel studied and applied various ways of eating – paleo, raw vegan, 80/10/10, zone, high carb, no carb, and everything in between…some with more success than others. She trialled various training methodologies and discovered the gym was actually ok. It was around this time that she decided she would complete her certificate III and IV in Personal Training, followed by certifications in boxing, CrossFit, and nutrition. She also studied a Bachelor of Education (nope, still definitely not gym class though), Bachelor of Arts (with a focus on eastern religion), and Masters of Social Work. While a seemingly eclectic mix, this has provided Rachel with a holistic view of how our physical and emotional self work as a unit.

During this time, Rachel met her now husband. Together they opened a boutique CrossFit and training studio in Prahran. Fab focused on the training side, while Rachel focused on nutrition. They were able to work with allied health professionals, including integrative GPs, physios, and naturopaths to provide clients with a holistic experience that taught them how to become independent and in control of their health. They operated this for five years, and during this time welcomed two children to the mix. As the children grew, so did Rachel’s homesickness, and the family relocated to the country and took some time for Rachel to focus on her studies. And now, as fate would have it, both are back in the wellness industry with their roles at Primal – again, Fab focusing on training, and Rachel excited to provide nutrition support.

Nothing is as simple as ‘just eat this’, and ‘don’t do that’. Health is complex, and what works for one person will not work for their buddy. It may for a little, but we all have different ways of approaching life and until we address ourselves as a whole and consider our outside influences, we will not be able to find the balance and healing to have a truly healthy lifestyle (and this has nothing to do with how much fat you carry, so let’s get that out of the way!). By listening and supporting the individual on their journey, Rachel is looking forward to providing a space for clients to learn the skills they need. While for some the outcome will be weight focused, Rachel’s favourite moment is when they realise all of the benefits that come from nourishing themselves and the non-scale victories that come alongside it. And don’t worry – there is definitely no judgement or guilt when working together. We are hard enough on ourselves without someone else joining in.

Fabio – Coach

Scott Upston

 INTRODUCING THE MAN BEHIND THE MADNESS

Read along to find out about our very own Scott’s ventures and accomplishments. We are beyond lucky to have him as the man behind our club with his skills, expertise, and knowledge it’s a no brainer as to why our members succeed and thrive here at Primal Health Club

Scott joined his first gym at the age of 15 and by the age of 17 had enlisted in the Australian Army. Over the next 21 years, he served all around both our great country and the world.

In 2010 Scott retired and took up employment with the Australian Paralympic Committee as the Senior Coach Powerlifting and worked across other programs such as Wheelchair Rugby, Basketball and Ambulant Rowing. Scott has coached at the highest-level Paralympic Games, World Championships, Commonwealth Games, Pacific Games, and Invictus Games. Scott has coached international athletes from several countries including the Netherlands and Papua New Guinea. All his athletes have tasted success ranging from Paralympic Gold, World Championships, Pacific Games, and Invictus Games.

Scott himself has also had success as a strength athlete competing both internationally and nationally in several sports powersports, powerlifting, strongman, and bodybuilding competitions. He has experienced the highs and lows achieving a World Championship in Powersports also “Bombing Out” (no result recorded) at Oceania Championships.

As a coach his philosophy is “round peg, square hole” meaning that he finds solutions and makes them fit for everyone he works with. As an athlete, his mindset is “if it was easy everyone would be doing it”.

Scott currently trains for and competes in ultra-marathons he refers to himself as the “back of the pack elite”! He enjoys the challenge when it no longer becomes a physical battle, but a mental battle also.

His dream has always been to open his own gym – Primal Health Club is that and more. Community focused, it offers up the opportunity for all members of the community to be part of the journey supporting everyone in their health and fitness goals whether it is representing their school, country or just creating a better version of their current selves!

Be part of the ReEvolution!

TURNING AWESOME INTO AWESOMENESS