• Meet Our Team

Your Health Is Our Passion

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.

Matthew Sholakis – Physiotherapist

Wali Aman - Physiotherapist

Tarwan Rennie - Podiatrist

Darcy Sharples - Physiotherapist & Clinical Manager

Caroline Peos - Physiotherapist

Rebecca Barry - Physiotherapist

Emily Drew - Dietitian

Lauren McLinden (nee Campbell) – Founding Director &
APA Musculoskeletal and Sports + Exercise Physiotherapist

Josh Priest - Physiotherapist

Andrew Campbell –  Director & General Manager

Administration Stars

Matthew Sholakis - Physiotherapist

Passionate about conservative and post-operative rehabilitation management of the hip, knee and ankle injuries in both the sporting and community populations.

Matthew graduated from Victoria University with a Bachelor of Exercise Science (Sport Science) before moving to Sydney where he completed his Doctor of Physiotherapy degree at Macquarie University.

He worked in multiple clinics before moving to Melbourne. Matthew comes to us with a strong background in lower limb rehabilitation. Matthew has a range of experience working with the Sydney FC academy, Newport Rugby Union Club and the Sydney Bluesox Baseball Club, managing player's injuries and return to sport programs. 

Matthew believes in a holistic approach to physiotherapy, focusing not only on physical recovery but also on the overall well-being of his patients. He strives to empower individuals through education and personalised treatment plans, enabling them to lead active and healthy lives.

Outside the clinic, you will find Matthew either at the gym, on the golf course, playing social sport or walking his sausage dogs.  

Wali Aman - Physiotherapist

Passionate about Passionate about sports injuries, shoulder and lower limb injuries, conservative and post-surgical ACL rehabilitation

Wali grew up in New Zealand and attended the University of Otago where he completed his Bachelor of Physiotherapy and his postgraduate certification in Sports Physiotherapy. Wali has worked in the southeast side of Melbourne over the last 5 years, primarily in private practice and sports (soccer, futsal, basketball, rugby, running, track and field, strength training and gymnastics).

Being the head physiotherapist for Pakenham United Football Club and NPL 1 club Dandenong Thunder this year, Wali has a passion for managing sports injuries and helping athletes manage their injuries around their training. Wali has worked with many Strength and Conditioning coaches which has driven him to complete further training, currently undergoing his ASCA level 1 (strength and conditioning qualification).

He has a keen interest in post-operative rehabilitation, shoulder and lower limb injuries, particularly ACL sprains, meniscus tears, hamstring strains, quadricep strains, calf strains, and Achilles tendinopathy. He puts a large emphasis on addressing the associated biomechanical and psychosocial contributing factors using manual therapy and strength training to get you moving pain-free and back to performance. He is also very passionate about late-stage return-to-play testing using a combination of running and functional assessments. Additionally, he emphasises the importance of adhering to an ongoing strength program to reduce the risk of further injury.

Outside of the clinic, Wali enjoys strength training, hiking, soccer and exploring the beauty of Victoria.

Tarwan Rennie - Podiatrist

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.

arwan 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.

Darcy Sharples - PHYSIOTHERAPIST & Clinical Manager

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. 

Caroline Peos - Physiotherapist

Passionate about spinal, hip and shoulder pains in all ages, in both expert conservative management and post-op care cases

Caroline graduated from Curtin University in Perth with a Bachelor of Science (Physiotherapy). Caroline has strong knowledge, experience, and interest in treating all types of musculoskeletal conditions, and a particular interest in shoulder, hips and spinal presentations.

Caroline has always been fascinated by how the human body functions and its ability to heal and repair itself. Growing up in rural Western Australia participating in various sports and activities, she also saw how sports and recreation connected people and fostered a strong sense of community. Through this, she developed a passion for empowering others to improve their physical and mental health and overall well-being by helping them to recover from injuries and manage chronic conditions, as well as promoting an overall healthy lifestyle. As a physiotherapist, Caroline enjoys the opportunity to work with so many different people to help them achieve their unique goals. Being continuously presented with new challenges and opportunities to make a positive impact on people’s lives is something she relishes and is what motivates her to keep helping people. Caroline is always looking to develop as a clinician and has completed various professional development courses. These include training in sports physiotherapy (levels 1 and 2), vestibular rehabilitation, treatment of the lumbar spine and pelvis, STOTT Pilates (Reformer and Mat), as well as dry needling. 

Outside of the clinic, you can find Caroline swimming, at the beach, watching football, and discovering everything Melbourne has to offer. Being new to Victoria, she is enjoying exploring the many restaurants and cafés, as well as getting out of the city to the beautiful wine regions and nature escapes.

Rebecca 'Bec' Barry - Physiotherapist

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.  

Emily Drew - Dietitian

Passionate about gut health, oncology care, supporting chronic illness recovery, fueling for sport, osteoporosis/ osteopenia care

Emily is an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) and Accredited Nutritionist who is committed to supporting individuals to best optimise their health and foster positive relationships with food. Having graduated with a Bachelor of Food and Nutrition Science and then a Master of Dietetics from Deakin University, Emily has also completed further courses for the low FODMAP diet for the nutritional management of IBS. Emily creates a warm and open environment to tailor evidence-based nutrition treatment plans and advice to best suit you and your lifestyle through a compassionate and non-diet lens.

Having worked in a variety of clinical settings in her career, Emily has a broad range of skills to best support individuals at all stages of their health journey. She believes in empowering and guiding her clients to take charge of their own health and kick life goals! Emily specialises in the following areas: Oncology, Nutrition for Illness Recovery, Chronic and complex health conditions, Healthy ageing (namely muscle and bone health), Weight management in all ages and Gastrointestinal conditions, diseases, and gut health. As an active and sporting person, Emily highly values the combined power of movement and nutrition and has also keen interest in sports nutrition, prehabilitation, and rehabilitation.

Outside of work, you can find Emily exploring exciting new restaurants, running along the Yarra River, or planning a new cultural getaway.

Lauren McLinden – Founding Director/ APA Musculoskeletal and Sports + Exercise Physiotherapist

Passionate about being an elite second opinion for clients neck, back or hip pains, and acute injuries the spine, shoulder and foot.

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 within the Diamond Valley with young family.

Clinically, Lauren is warm, passionate and engaging, and she is an true expert in musculoskeletal assessment, diagnosis and treatment planning - and this has earned her the reputation of being a sought-after physio brain.

Fuelled by an ongoing desire to keep improving her physio brain, 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 from and work with the Australian Ballet, Geelong Football Club, Austin Health, Royal Melbourne Hospital Emergency Department, and St Vincent’s neurosurgical clinic. These experiences have also seen Lauren become a presenter on the 'lower back pain' course run by Australian Physio Association.

Currently, Lauren consults in-rooms and in the OHL Strength Lab. 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 the 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 locally.

Josh Priest - Physiotherapist

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. 

Andrew Campbell – Director & General Manager

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!

Administration Stars

Michele Shearer, Lindy Hartley, Emily Palermo, April Woodward & Robyn Cronin 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.