Us

The Barefoot Runner : Gayle Snyders

Gayle is one of Asia-Pacific’s leading proponents of barefoot running. As both a physiotherapist and a runner, Gayle is an advocate of using your body as nature intended from the feet to the stomach. She is an expert in teaching how to transition into minimalist footwear and how to train with a view to minimize injury.

In her clinical practice Gayle combines physiotherapy and acupuncture with fascial mobility, visceral manipulation and Cranio-Sacral therapy. To read more about Gayle’s clinical profile click here.

When she’s not treating clients or exploring the trails, Gayle can probably be found diving Wellington’s South Coast, skiing Mt Ruapehu, preparing a Paleo feast or hanging out with her 5 year old twins.

The Everyday Runner ; Nick Conn

Nick is part way through his challenge to complete 100 runs in 100 days. He runs for pleasure, relaxation and fitness.

By day he is a physiotherapist, with a vast bank of experience treating everyone from elite athletes through to office workers. Nick is passionate about early intervention and injury prevention. You can read his full clinical profile here.

A long time member of ‘The Dreamers’ Nick is a weekend footballer, as well as a very hands on dad to his 2 young sons.

The Aspirational Jogger ; Amy Black

Back in the days before kids, and before she suffered a series of acute episodes  of back pain, Amy enjoyed a light jog round the South London parks and commons, hitting the gym, hiking the Welsh hills and skiing the French Alps. She aspires to return to those heady days, of being about to step out into the sunlight, music playing and puff along, without the shadow of back-pain following her every move. She is a poster girl for how much stress having 4 babies in 6 years will put on your body (and your mind at times)….not to mention your free time.

When not chasing around after her kids Amy works part time as a practice manger for Willis Street Physiotherapy. She is a compulsive and experimental baker and writes ‘On the Monkey Trail’ food blog.

The Walker; Grant Plumbley

Grant is the sort of person who will get up at 3am to watch the FA cup final, even though he lives in a house full of little people, where sleep is at a premium. He is enthusiastic about all kinds of sport, and has been involved in it all his life; playing football and tennis, and as a physiotherapist treating athletes from dancers to boxers (and of course, footballers). You can read his full clinical profile here

With 4 young boys Grant doesn’t get much in the way of free time… and if he does he usually chooses to spend it  kicking a ball around with the kids, going for a walk, or if he’s really lucky spending a quite moment with the newspaper.

The Aspiring Runner and Tramper ; Helen Padarin

Helen grew up in the outdoors, spending as much time as possible hiking (or tramping as it’s called here in NZ), caving, camping, canyoning… you name it.

In 2007 an injury, on top of a lifetime of wonky biomechanics, put a halt to most activities that Helen loves.  It’s been super slow to recover, however having just returned from an epic trip to India and Nepal where she got a close glimpse and sniff of the Himalaya’s – a range that has fascinated Helen for about as long as she can remember – her motivation has now been refueled to sort out her biomechanics so she can run and tramp again.

In her work life Helen is a naturopath, nutritionist and herbalist with a passion for real health and real food, free of politically correct food myths. You can read Helen’s full clinical profile here