We are a team of experienced clinicians that believes in the power of excellence and community, and is dedicated to caring for you from the moment you walk into our space to the moment you walk out.
Darcy Sharples - Physiotherapist & Clinical Manager
Emily Clarke - Dietitian
Joshua Kiley - Physiotherapist
Josh Priest - Physiotherapist
Lauren Campbell - Founding Director/ APA Musculoskeletal and Sports + Exercise Physiotherapist
Melanie Cricco - Podiatrist
Michael Jephcott – Myotherapist, Bowen Therapist, Remedial Massage
Rebecca Barry - Physiotherapist
Tanisha Apte - Physiotherapist
Andrew Campbell – Director & General Manager
Administration Stars
Growing up in the Eltham area, Darcy has been an active member of the local community, attending high school and
participating in many local sporting teams in the area. Darcy completed a Bachelor of Health Science at La Trobe University, majoring in human anatomy and physiology, before looking to challenge himself further and undertaking a Master of Physiotherapy Practice.
Darcy grew up playing AFL, volleyball, basketball, and athletics, and enjoys heading away to Lake Eildon to engage in various water sports. He spent 6 years coaching volleyball at Eltham High School after completing his secondary education and enjoys working with athletes to improve their performance. Through experience with injuries of his own, this sparked Darcy’s keen interest in physiotherapy.
Darcy enjoys treating a large variety of musculoskeletal conditions, and has a particular interest in the lower limbs,
dizziness, running, and sporting-based injuries. His specific interests involve knee osteoarthritis, concussion, ACL injuries, and late-stage return to sport rehabilitation. Darcy has had a wide variety of experience, working with the Lower Plenty Football Club (AFL) for 6 years as their Head Physiotherapist, and Melbourne Football Club as an intern for the AFLW team.
Darcy is an accredited GLA:D physiotherapist and ASCA Level 1 Strength and Conditioning coach. He thoroughly enjoys working with adolescent athletes and helping guide them through strength programs, training, and managing their bodies as they build into a higher-level competition of any kind. Darcy has a strong belief in educating patients on how to best manage their injuries ongoing, preventing further injury, and getting the best out of themselves throughout their rehabilitation process.
Outside of the clinic, you can find Darcy running, mountain bike riding, water skiing, doing photography, and out walking with his wife and Golden Retriever Stanley.
Emily grew up in the Yarra Valley and has a strong love of food and passion for helping people. She studied at Monash University and has completed a Bachelor of Nutrition Science and Masters of Dietetic Practice.
Since graduating Emily has also undertaken courses for the nutritional management of both Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Eating Disorders to increase her ability to provide support to patients experiencing either of these conditions. In addition to these conditions, she has experience providing individualised nutrition advice surrounding weight management, diabetes, allergies and intolerances, cholesterol, blood pressure and heart health, and general health and wellbeing.
Outside of work Emily enjoys exploring local wineries and cafes with friends and family as she loves a good strong coffee and the local red wines. She likes running, playing basketball, going camping and hiking. If she isn’t in her local area, she can be found hiking volcanoes in Guatemala or ordering a big bowl of Pho in Vietnam as she loves travelling and exploring different foods and cultures.
Josh graduated from University of Canberra with a Bachelor of
Physiotherapy, after pivoting from his previous life as a management consultant. Josh was drawn to a career transition into Physiotherapy to allow
him to have a more direct impact on people’s quality of life each and every working day. Josh was also excited by a Physio’s opportunity to help clients
fulfil their potential in health, leisure, relationships and at work.
Since graduating, Josh has worked in private practice setting, as the physiotherapist for Haileybury College Rugby Union and in a chronic pain clinic, and he’s now excited to blend all his clinical skills in his role at OHL. Josh is armed with extensive experience across the assessment, treatment and management of a varied caseload, including acute and subacute musculoskeletal issues like back pain, sporting injuries and related rehabilitation to high level activities, lifestyle injuries and pre/post-surgical cases. Josh is also highly knowledgeable and passionate about treating and caring for clients with persistent and chronic pain. He uses exercise, education, and lifestyle management to help those people achieve their unique goals. Proudly, Josh manages each patient not only with specific evidence-based physiotherapy skills, but also by applying the locus of care
upon the patient, with a compassionate, patient-centred, biopsychosocial approach.
Josh is keen on continuing to develop and advance his clinical skills, yet he is also proud of his professional development resume to date. Josh has sought many learning opportunities within the chronic pain space (namely courses with the renowned NOI Group), plus he’s completed Sports Training Level One and certification as a DMA Clinical Pilates Instructor. When not working, Josh enjoys playing futsal, bouldering, running or relaxing on his hammock reading the newspaper with a coffee. However, his free time will has be limited as he is now running after an energetic border collie puppy, Atlas.
With a background in competitive soccer and an interest in activities that push physical boundaries, Josh completed a Bachelor of Psychology alongside a Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science at Deakin University. While working as a strength and conditioning coach at Geelong Grammar School, he further developed his desire to help people with injuries and pain. This led him to further his study and complete a Master of Physiotherapy Practice at the University of Queensland.
Josh has a varied skill base that covers all musculoskeletal conditions, as well as dizziness, balance, and vertigo concerns. He has extensive professional experience working in private practice - along with specialised sport experience from working with Lara United FC (Soccer) and the Lara Football Club (AFL). He has also enjoyed being involved in multiple clinical trials related to hip pain and osteoarthritis with the University of Melbourne.
Josh believes in the importance of returning to valued activities and exercise, along with educating patients to empower them to be active participants in the recovery process. Josh is an advocate for evidence-based physiotherapy, welcoming collaboration with patients and other healthcare professionals to ensure the best possible outcome.
Outside the clinic, you can find Josh strength training in the gym, practicing calisthenics, mountain biking, or exploring new hiking trails.
Lauren founded the Optimal Health Lab in 2017, alongside her brother Andrew, with a vision of bringing the best sports and rehabilitative medicine to her local community. Lauren continues to live and work in her hometown of Eltham, and she is very proud of the growth of our Optimal Health Lab team over the last 6 years. Initially, fuelled by a love of movement + sport, human sciences, and supporting others, Lauren found herself wanting to become a physiotherapist in high school. Now a decade into her clinical life, Lauren proudly holds two clinical masters from La Trobe University, which has earned her the titles of APA Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist (2017) and APA Sports and Exercise Physiotherapist (2022). Her post-graduate study saw her learn and work with the Australian Ballet, Geelong Football Club, Austin Health, Royal Melbourne Emergency Department, and St Vincent’s neurosurgical triage clinic.
Currently, Lauren consults in-rooms and in the OHL Strength Lab, combining her talents in advanced assessment and diagnosis, manual therapy, expert exercise rehabilitation, and health education. She has a specialty in hip, pelvis and lower back conditions, in both the sporting and community populations. Lauren has also developed significant experience in post-operative care, especially in spine, shoulder and hip surgeries, and she is passionate about supporting clients with invisible illnesses related to persistent pain, rheumatological disorders and fatigue conditions.
Over her last decade of physiotherapy work, Lauren has worked in various sporting roles. These roles range from local football clubs (Lower Plenty Football Club, Old Eltham College
Football Club, Montmorency Football Club), hockey teams at Australian Masters Games, FINA Short Course World Championships, and Women’s TAC Cup U18s with the Northern Knights Football Club. Lauren has also been head physiotherapist to cast members of touring national musical theatre shows, including Strictly Ballroom, Dirty Dancing and Georgy Girl, as well as the resident physiotherapist for full-time dance programs and supporting elite athletes living
in our area. Being a runner and dancer herself, she enjoys educating athletes in preventing injury and keeping them off the sidelines. Lauren sees movement + health education as our superpowers to settling many of our pains, diseases, and Dysfunctions.
Currently on Maternity leave as of July 2023 with a planned return in Jan 2024.
Melanie first registered as a podiatrist in 2006 and has been well-known locally for most of her career. Following the completion of her podiatry qualifications at La Trobe University, Melanie achieved a high distinction in postgraduate studies on the management of chronic wounds at Monash University. Melanie completed research in Footwear for the Prevention of Falls; a study on the Efficacy of Cadexomer Iodine and Nanocrystalline Silver Wound Dressings; and a systematic review on Podiatric Involvement in Stroke Rehabilitation as part of her Master of Health Science (Podiatry) degree. Her high achievements earnt her lifelong membership with the Golden Key International Honour Society.
Melanie is also a member of the Australian Podiatry Association and values continuing her professional development skills. She is dedicated and experienced in the comprehensive provision of general and diabetic foot care, orthotic therapy, nail surgery, paediatric and geriatric foot care alike, and any biomechanical concerns of the feet. Melanie works with us on Tuesdays, and also on Thursday evenings.
Outside of work, Melanie enjoys gardening, bush walking, and spending time with her family. Her eye for detail also makes her a brilliant creator of wedding and special occasion cakes for family and friends!
Michael has been in clinical practice as a Myotherapist since 2014, and his qualifications extend back to remedial massage and personal training. Competing at high-level sport and suffering aches and pains in his younger years, Michael has a great understanding of those in a similar boat, which inspired him to where he is today.
Michael’s main objective is to identify the source of his client’s pain and resolve the problem quickly, with thorough clinical assessment, movement screening, corrective exercise and a wide range of manual techniques. This enables a quick, efficient and long lasting result.
The active population will find great benefit from his skill set and style of work as his true passion lies with helping those who strive to move better. He has a strong interest in shoulder, hip and lower back complaints.
Michael’s clients see him for Myotherapy, Remedial Massage, Functional Movement Screening, Personal Training, Corrective Exercise Training, Myofascial Release, Trigger Point Therapy, Dry Needling & Cupping.
Bec graduated with a Bachelor of Health Science and Masters of Physiotherapy degree from La Trobe University. Designing a specific return to running app in her final year, Bec has a special interest in both sporting injuries and musculoskeletal conditions and loves helping patients return back to their optimal level of strength, performance and functioning.
Alongside clinical work Bec works with the Eltham Redbacks Football Club as a sports trainer and Physiotherapist where she has been exposed to various acute and longer-term injuries. Attending both training sessions and game days she has developed a good collection of preventative and rehabilitation strategies.
Bec has grown up playing sport her whole life but focusses now on distance running and triathlon. Throughout her career she has had to deal with her share of injuries where she learnt the importance of effective Physiotherapy management. Based off past experience Bec focuses on a holistic return to sport, where a combination of strength, soft tissue work and perseverance assists patients achieving their goals and regaining their fitness.
Outside of work if not training, you will find Bec off in nature somewhere, at the beach or getting coffee or dinner with friends. With a passion for travel Bec aims to one day complete a full marathon in each continent while continually helping others become a better version of themselves.
Tanisha hails from the vibrant city of Mumbai, India, where
she completed her schooling and earned her Bachelor's degree in Physiotherapy. Her unwavering dedication to her craft led her to pursue higher education abroad, culminating in the successful attainment of a Master of Advanced Clinical Physiotherapy in Sports from the prestigious University of South Australia (UniSA).
Before coming to Australia, Tanisha gained years of work
experience at Replay Physiotherapy, a renowned private Sports and Musculoskeletal Clinic in Mumbai. Here, she honed her skills and garnered invaluable experience by tending to a diverse clientele, including athletes from an eclectic range of sports, spanning from the finesse of Judo and Cricket to the grace of Gymnastics and dance. Her therapeutic philosophy is firmly rooted in a holistic approach, and she further deepened her expertise by delving into the realm of Sports Nutrition. Additionally, Tanisha holds a Diploma in Yoga, underscoring her commitment to holistic well-being.
A passionate and dedicated physiotherapist, Tanisha has a
special interest in the reatment of athletic injuries, as well as supporting the ‘active ageing’ population to move optimally and exploring sustainable plans for people suffering knee pain, hip pain and spinal conditions. Her fervour for helping athletes and post-operative clients recover and excel in their pursuits is evident in her unwavering commitment to their well-being.
Beyond her professional life, Tanisha is a multifaceted
individual. Outside of work, you will find her either painting, dancing or traveling to explore new places and savour diverse cuisines.
Andrew comes into his position as Business Manager with both big and small business experience, after completing a Bachelor of Business at La Trobe University. Andrew has been involved in the initial concept of OHL with his sister Lauren, and has been involved with each stage of growth since day one. He formally comes onto the team to build OHL into the most efficient business and streamline administration processes to enable the team of clinicians to provide the best level of service. Andrew looks forward to the growth of this exciting business venture, whilst also making time to compete in the Victorian Athletic League.
Lindy Hartley, Robyn Cronin, Jenni Sexton & Emily Palermo comprise our caring and diligent administration team.
This amazing team helps every patient find their entire OHL experience stress-free and enjoyable, whilst also providing information to patients and support our OHL clinicians.
