Our Team

Louise Cooper, B.Sp.Ex.Sc., Post Grad Dip Ex. Phys. (Clinical), ESSAM

Louise Cooper: The founder of Health Moves, Louise, has returned from maternity leave (for the 3rd time) in 2021. Since having children she  has been competing further studies in paediatric exercise physiology. She has also trained to deliver Kids Pilates programs and will be delivering the Kids Heart Pilates program in the Martyn Street Studio and in day care centres around Cairns. Louise is particularly interested in working with children whom have developed Type 2 Diabetes, which is growing at an alarming rate in the region. Louise wants to ensure that future generations are set up for a future of health not a future of chronic disease.
Louise also has an interest in working with ladies whom have or have had Gestational Diabetes (GDM) Louise had GDM in two of her pregnancies so brings personal experience to her practice. A history of GDM leaves women at a much higher risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes later in life and also means their children may be at risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes; thus the earlier the intervention the better. 
Louise graduated from James Cook University in 2012 with a bachelor of sport and exercise science and post graduate diploma in clinical exercise physiology.
Louise enjoys spending time with her husband and young family, all outdoor activities; particularly camping and hiking. She also enjoys cooking, making Sourdough bread and Cheese!

Ben Collins B Ex Physiol Clin, ESSAM

Ben Collins: Ben has now been on the Health Moves team for two and a half years. He has developed a special interest in Diabetes and completed further training to enable him to excel in this area. Ben delivers our land based Diabetes group programs: Move with Diabetes and Beat it! Ben also enjoys working with clients with chronic musculoskeletal conditions and returning them to full function.
Ben is a Cairns local who has seen how healthcare can play a key role in assisting members of the community to live happier and healthier lives. Ben places a huge importance on education and health promotion and is looking forward to educating the community on how regular exercise can improve health. Ben lives an active lifestyle by playing soccer in the local league and enjoys weekends away camping and fishing.

Thanasi Oertle Ex Physiol Clin, ESSAM

Thanasi Oertle: Thanasi was born in South East Queensland, before moving to Cairns at age 7, he then lived in Cairns until he went to Townsville to complete his Exercise Physiology degree at James Cook University. Thanasi stayed in Townsville to work, before returning to Cairns in March this year. He has close to three years of exercise physiology experience working in both clinical and occupational rehabilitation. His passions lie in helping clients improve their quality of life and level of functionality, whilst also creating a welcoming and supportive environment for clients to prosper. Thanasi is particularly interested in managing chronic disease and musculoskeletal conditions, and has also recently jumped into providing hydrotherapy, falls prevention, and osteoporosis exercise interventions.

When he is not at work he likes to spend his time outdoors, at the gym, riding dirt bikes or playing guitar.

Kim Tate, Allied Health Assistant, Personal Trainer

Kim Tate is a Personal Trainer, currently in her third year of an Exercise and Sports Science degree at CQUni Cairns. She is originally from Southern NSW, but loves moving and exploring; Cairns being the 6th town in 7 years. Kim fell in love with Cairns straight away and has been here for 13 years.
Kim has always been interested in sports and fitness, playing every sport she could when growing up. After she had her third child, she began to realise how important movement really can be, especially when she couldn’t move the way she used to be able to due to inactivity. She realised then that she wanted to follow through with her passion and help other people move their bodies in ways that can assist them in their everyday life. As she has progressed through my degree, her interests have begun to include functional movement and strength training; in particular how exercise can assist with not only mobility, but wellbeing as well.
In her spare time, she loves getting outdoors with her family. Beach days are common for her, as well as camping, fishing, and bike riding. When she is not at home or uni, you will often find her at the gym trying to improve on her own techniques and figuring out movements that can assist her clients to move their bodies better.
Vision Mission Venn Diagram (2)

Our Guarantees to You

We will provide YOU with and individualised,
evidence based exercise program
to meet YOUR needs.

We will liase with your other treating practitioners
regarding your care and keep everyone updated
to achieve optimum outcomes.

We will keep your GP up to date with your care,
inform them or your achievements
and your patient pathway.

The Health Moves Difference

Whist Health Moves Exercise Physiologists are exercise specialists, we use the word “exercise” loosely and prefer to look upon our role as assisting people in becoming more active through the use of functional movement patterns and behaviour change strategies. We focus on the individual and apply the evidence to YOU rather than matching the YOU to generic exercise.

3 words to summarise Health Moves:

Personable

Our approach is unique to the individual we are working with.  We focus on YOUR goals, what YOU want to achieve, YOUR needs and wants and YOUR lifestyle. YOU are our priority.

Development

We will support YOU as you grow to understand YOUR condition, we will offer mentorship and support to assist YOU in achieving the results YOU want.

Empowerment

We want to empower YOU to take control over YOUR health and have the tools at YOUR disposal to achieve optimum health.