What inspired you to join Full Speed Performance, and what do you bring to the team?

I joined Full Speed Performance to work with athletes in a space that lets me combine both my physiotherapy and sprinting background. As a sprinter myself, I’m passionate about helping athletes — especially runners and field sport players — rehab properly, improve mechanics, and stay fast. I bring hands-on skills, dry needling, and a strong understanding of how sprinting fits into rehab and performance.

Where did you study, and what qualifications or certifications do you hold?

I studied a Master of Physiotherapy at Swinburne University and a Bachelor of Exercise Science (Sport Practice) at Victoria University. I’m also an ASCA-accredited Strength and Conditioning Coach.

What areas do you specialise in, and how do you help athletes reach their goals?

I focus on sprinting and running-related injuries, as well as shoulder rehab. My approach combines manual therapy and dry needling to improve pain and function, and then builds into high- and low-level exercise progressions to get athletes back to sport. I also use VALD testing to guide safe, criteria-based return-to-play decisions.

What’s your approach to rehab and injury prevention?

Rehab should happen both in the gym and on the field. Manual therapy can improve short-term comfort, but it’s strength and movement that drives lasting results. I make sure athletes are ticking off both sides of that equation to prevent re-injury and build confidence.

How do you use data and technology like VALD to guide your treatments?

I use VALD to assess when athletes are ready to progress through different return-to-sport stages. It gives us real-time data on strength, power, and asymmetries — so we know when to push and when to hold back.

What do you wish more athletes understood about performance or recovery?

That there’s no single fix. Rehab is a process — it takes time and individualisation. Every injury is different, and rushing back too soon often leads to setbacks. Patience and structure always win.

How do you stay up to date with the latest in physio and sports science?

I post regularly on my Instagram page @mitch_physio, which keeps me accountable to the latest research and trends. I also stay on top of journal articles relevant to the conditions I treat most often.

What’s your favourite part of working with athletes?

Watching them hit milestones — whether that’s sprinting pain-free, lifting a PB, or getting back on the field. That progress never gets old.

What makes Full Speed Performance different from other clinics or gyms?

It’s the systems, the communication, and the access to tech like VALD. Our physios and coaches talk regularly and work together, which means every patient gets a level of care that goes far beyond a standard clinic. We also use tools like Refr to get imaging fast, which helps with quicker decisions and better outcomes.

What do you do outside of work?

If I’m not in the gym or on the track training, I’m probably trying to find a good TV show to unwind with.