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.
Angie Vanderzeil - Physiotherapist
Giorgio Korakas – Physiotherapist
Rebecca Barry - Physiotherapist
Matthew Rigoni - Dietitian
Tarwan Rennie - Podiatrist
Elise Martin - Physiotherapist
Phil Chittleborough - Psychologist
Darcy Sharples - Physiotherapist & Clinical Manager
Lauren McLinden (nee Campbell) – Founding Director &
APA Musculoskeletal and Sports + Exercise Physiotherapist
Josh Priest - Physiotherapist
Michael Jephcott - Myotherapist & Bowen Therapist
Andrew Campbell – Director & General Manager
Angie is passionate about lower limb injury rehabilitation, hip and knee replacement rehab, osteoarthritis management, post-operative rehab and low back pain.
Angie graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy with Honours. She comes from a background in hospital-based rehabilitation across inpatient, outpatient and home-based settings. With experience participating in a variety of different junior sports and an ongoing passion for exercise, she also has good insight into the demands of sport and fitness.
Angie is experienced in orthopaedic rehabilitation; especially hip and knee replacement rehab. She also has a special interest in pre-operative pre-habilitation and conservative management of osteoarthritis. She enjoys working through any lower
limb conditions to optimise mobility and function in people of all ages and activity levels.
Angie aims to empower those under her care with knowledge and self-management skills, especially relating to pain. Along with providing evidence-based advice and manual therapy, she is a strong advocate for the role of exercise (in its many forms) in managing almost any physical or health problem. However, she will ensure to work with you to create a personalised and achievable exercise program, considering your exercise experience, confidence level, physical ability, time restraints and goals. She is certified in DMA Clinical Pilates and enjoys utilising Clinical Pilates as part of group sessions in the OHL Strength Lab.
Outside of work, Angie loves watching live music, enjoying good food with friends, hitting the gym, camping, hiking and walking her beloved dog Kimmie.
Passionate about sporting injuries, knee and foot surgery rehabilitation (like ACL reconstructions) and back pain
Giorgio graduated RMIT University with a Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science and a Master of Physiotherapy from Swinburne University. With a long standing passion for sports, Giorgio was drawn to physiotherapy as a way to combine his love of physical activity with helping individuals optimise their health and function.
Giorgio has a strong interest in the management of sporting injuries, particularly ankle sprains, tendinopathies, and ACL rehabilitation. He also enjoys supporting post-surgical clients like joint replacements and tendon repairs, people suffering spinal pain and he has fun helping clients prepping for and enjoying travel adventures in their best health. Giorgio aims to work closely with each individual to not only address the primary injury, but also identify and improve contributing factors, supporting a safe and confident return to activity. He utilises a combination of manual therapy, education, and exercise-based rehabilitation to deliver effective, evidence-based care tailored to each person’s goals.
Giorgio is committed to ongoing professional development and holds his Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) qualification through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. His background in strength and conditioning allows him to integrate performance-focused rehabilitation strategies to help individuals become the best version of themselves.
Outside of work, Giorgio enjoys following a range of sports including basketball, soccer, and Formula 1, as well as spending time in the gym, going for runs, and catching up with family and friends.
Passionate about lower limb conditions, neck and back pain concerns and running/ sport-related injuries
Bec graduated with a Bachelor of Health Science and Masters of Physiotherapy degree from La Trobe University. She 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 has been involved with numerous local sporting clubs including Eltham Redbacks Football Club, Lower Plenty Football club and Diamond Creek Womens Football Club as their senior 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 Ironman 70.3 distance triathlons. 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. Being busy with managing a high training load and full time work herself, she has learnt helpful tips and tricks on how to integrate rehab principles into a tight schedule to improve overall function.
Outside of work if not training, you will find Bec off in nature somewhere, at the beach or getting coffee or dinner with friends.
REAL Health & Nutrition
Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD,ASD) & Sports Nutritionist
Matthew is an Accredited Practising Dietitian who views nutrition as a vital, high-leverage piece of the complex health puzzle. With a Bachelor of Human Nutrition and a Master of Dietetic Practice from La Trobe University, Matthew combines a deep understanding of human physiology with a pragmatic, "high return on investment (ROI)" approach to health. He is driven by the goal of making meaningful, long-term differences in his clients' lives by helping them achieve their full potential without overcomplicating the process.
With an insatiable thirst for knowledge, Matthew stays at the cutting edge of scientific literature to ensure his strategies are both evidence-based and sustainable. He is particularly passionate about the multidisciplinary approach to care, believing that patients thrive best when their health journey is supported by a collaborative team of experts.
Matthew brings a broad skill set that spans performance, health, and long-term wellbeing. With expertise in sports performance and rehabilitation, he tailors fueling and recovery strategies to support endurance, strength, and body composition goals. His training and passion also extends to gut health, including (but not limited to) evidence-based low FODMAP approaches for IBS and food intolerances, alongside the prevention and management of chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, PCOS, cancer, and osteoporosis.
Outside of the lab, Matthew is a dedicated 'family man' who stays active through resistance training and board sports. A Diamond Creek local, he has a massive passion for all things automotive, you’ll often find him tinkering on cars and walking around Diamond Creek trail.
Passionate about helping patients with sports injuries, ankle sprains, tendon and ligament rehabilitation, as well as general skin and nail care such as ingrown toe nails.
Tarwan graduated as a podiatrist from La Trobe University and is passionate about helping people move better and live pain-free lives. With a strong focus on musculoskeletal and sports-related podiatry, Tarwan brings a fresh and energetic approach to treating lower limb conditions, including tendon pathologies, plantar fasciitis, and biomechanical issues.
During his tertiary studies and working experience, Tarwan has also gained extensive clinical experience in conservative foot care, nail surgery, high-risk foot management, and biomechanical assessment. He has also contributed to public health initiatives like the St. Vincent’s Shoe Bank Project, helping to improve access to supportive footwear for vulnerable populations. Tarwan’s commitment to evidence-based care and patient-centered outcomes drives his continual learning and development as a practitioner.
Outside of podiatry, Tarwan plays football for Diamond Creek Football Club and is a consistent gym goer. He has a strong passion for running and endurance fitness, particularly events like Hyrox, and brings that same dedication and drive into his clinical practice and performance-focused care.
Elise is passionate about injury prevention, management, and performance optimisation, with special interests in sports AND dance injuries, post-operative rehabilitation, and falls and balance training for all ages and abilities.
Elise graduated with a Bachelor of Exercise & Sport Science at the Australian Catholic University, and a Doctor of Physiotherapy at the University of Melbourne. Following years of dance training, Elise has developed a detailed understanding of movement patterns, fuelling her fascination by the capabilities of the human body.
Elise is committed to bringing a warm, positive energy to every patient interaction, empowering individuals to achieve their personal movement, health, and performance goals, both in one-on-one appointments and OHL Group Physio classes. Elise believes in the powerful combination of exercise and manual therapy as part of an effective, evidence-based treatment plan. She applies this approach across a wide range of conditions, including back and neck pain, lower and upper limb sports injuries, post-operative rehab (such as joint replacements and musculoskeletal surgeries), and falls and balance training. Did you know Elise also provides pre-pointe assessments and elite dance physiotherapy care to her beloved dance community?
Elise is dedicated to ongoing professional development to support the health and wellbeing of her clients, additional to her university studies, Elise has completed a Diploma in Dance (Elite Performance), a Certificate in Clinical Mat & Equipment Pilates (APPI), and is an ASCA Level 1 Strength & Conditioning Coach. Outside of work you’ll findElisechatting with family and friends over a coffee, kickstarting her day with movement, chasing rays of sunshine, or baking sweets to share and enjoy.
Special
interests: exercise and mental health, anxiety, stress, coping with physical/medical conditions.
Phil is a registered Clinical Psychologist, holding the qualifications of Master of Clinical Psychology (La Trobe University) and a PhD in Psychology (University of Adelaide). He has many
years of experience in private practice, helping clients with a range of common mental health conditions (including, but not limited to, different forms of anxiety).
He has a particular interest in helping clients who have difficulty commencing or maintaining exercise programs (e.g., as recommended by other health professionals), and helping clients having difficulty coping with injury or impairing medical conditions.
In his work, Phil uses evidence-based approaches to helping his clients. Whilst these approaches are primarily psychological in nature, he recognises the considerable value of other modalities such as exercise and nutrition which can have powerful effects on mental health.
When he is not working, Phil enjoys nature, exercising, watching his favourite sport (cricket), and doing a little gardening.
Passionate about sports injuries, comprehensive post-operation rehab cases in ankle, hip, knee and shoulder conditions
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.
Lauren founded the Optimal Health Lab (OHL) in 2017 with her brother Andrew, driven by a vision to bring high‑quality sports and rehabilitative care to her local Diamond Valley community, where she continues to live and work with her young family.
A warm, passionate, and highly skilled clinician, Lauren is known for her expertise in musculoskeletal assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning. She holds two clinical master’s degrees from La Trobe University, earning the titles of APA Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist and APA Sports and Exercise Physiotherapist, and has gained experience with leading organisations including the Australian Ballet, Geelong Football Club, Austin Health, and major Melbourne hospitals. She also presents nationally for the Australian Physiotherapy Association on lower back pain.
At OHL, Lauren consults in‑rooms and within the Strength Lab, with particular interest in hip, pelvis, and lower back conditions, as well as post‑operative rehabilitation and the management of persistent pain, rheumatological conditions, and fatigue‑related disorders. Across her career, she has supported athletes at local, national, and elite levels, including football clubs, dance companies, theatre productions, and major sporting events.
She looks forward to supporting you and being part of your health journey.
Passionate about complex cases in spinal and hip conditions, and vestibular physio worries in balance skills + dizziness
Josh graduated from the University of Queensland with a Master of Physiotherapy Studies after completing and Bachelor of Psychology and Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science at Deakin University. This natural progression occurred due to his interest in the human mind and human movement due to his past injury experiences mostly related to sport (soccer) involvement, recognising early on the psychological toll his injuries could take.
He understands injuries and pain can often be a worrying and confusing experience and strives to help his patients make sense of their problem and understand what their treatment options are and how they can have the power to help themselves.
Josh developed a high-level expertise in movement and exercise for high performance prior to undertaking physiotherapy study through his Exercise Science Degree, Strength and Conditioning coach work and personal passion for training. In more recent years he has invested more time in understanding and helping people with persistent pain and disability reflected by some of his recent professional development such as Explore Pain (NOI Group) and SpineCare through the Royal Melbourne Hospital.
Josh has special interest in treating the Spine, Hip, Persistent pain and vertigo, dizziness and balance conditions. Josh has a very open and collaborative treatment style and believes in tailoring the treatment to the person before the condition and helping people make sense of their problem to make recovery from pain and injury more achievable and enjoyable through a thorough and clear plan.
Outside of the clinic you can find Josh Strength training in the gym, mountain biking, exploring nature or enjoying some time and activity with his dog Goose.
Passionate about improving someone's musculoskeletal and/or post-surgical pain with his elite hands-on approach, as well as improving someone's desk-based pains and sporting recovery.
Growing up with a passion for sport, Michael has always been fascinated by movement and the mechanics of the human body. Competing at a high level and experiencing his fair share of aches and pains led him to pursue a career dedicated to helping others move better and pain-free. Michael has been practicing as a Myotherapist since 2014, building on his background in remedial massage and personal training. His goal is to identify the source of pain, not just the symptoms, and deliver effective, lasting results through clinical assessment, movement screening, corrective exercise, and a wide range of manual therapy techniques, including Bowen Therapy.
Michael enjoys working with active individuals, athletes, and those striving for optimal movement, helping them recover from injuries and enhance mobility. He has a special interest in shoulder, hip, and lower back care, tailoring his treatments to support recovery and long-term wellbeing.
Outside of the clinic, you’ll find Michael staying active via his love for cricket and golf, or enjoying a good read with even better coffee at local cafes.
Passionate about building and continuing to elevate OHL into a health care destination for best care, happy + healthy teams and a sustainable clinic for his local community
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 family-owned business venture, whilst also making time to travel, spend time with his family + friends and getting out on the tracks cycling!
Lindy Hartley, Emily Palermo, Emma Thornton & Hayden Allan 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.
