Our Team

  • Patrick Shannon

    B.Appl.Sc(HMS) Hons; M.PHTY Principal Physiotherapist and Director

    Patrick completed his first degree at the University of Queensland, graduating with honours as an Exercise Physiologist. He then went on to complete his Masters in Physiotherapy from Griffith University. Before moving to the Burdekin, Patrick worked as an Exercise Physiologist at a private studio in the Brisbane CBD, gaining invaluable experience in treating athletes across the board, including many cyclists and triathletes.

     
    Patrick has a special interest in Orthopaedic Physiotherapy, as well as shoulder and knee injuries. He is involved with the local swimming clubs with injury prevention and strength and conditioning programs, as well as assisting the High Performance Programs running out of the local Catholic High School, BCHS. Patrick keeps fit by getting involved in CrossFit and is a multiple-Ironman triathlon finisher. He is also involved with the local Road Runners club and Cycling Group.
     
    Patrick is a current member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association.
     

  • Kristy Shannon

    B.Appl.Sc(HMS) Hons; M.PHTYPrincipal Physiotherapist and Director

    Kristy completed her first degree at the University of Queensland, graduating with honours as an Exercise Physiologist. She then went on to complete her Masters in Physiotherapy from Griffith University. Before moving to North Queensland from Brisbane, Kristy also worked as a research assistant at the School of Human Movement Studies, at The University of Queensland.
     
    Kristy has a special interest in dance physiotherapy, hip and spinal injuries. She is a fully qualified Clinical Pilates Instructor, and loves teaching her advanced Pilates classes at the clinic every week. She is a strong supporter of the local dance schools and assists with injury prevention programs and Pre-Pointe Assessments for the budding young dancers in the Burdekin and Townsville areas.
     
    Kristy is also an active member of the local Running and Road Cycling groups in Ayr.
     
    Along with her husband Patrick and their son, she enjoys travelling around the world to various triathlons. Her passion lies in long course triathlons, and she is a multiple-Ironman finisher.
     
    Kristy is a current member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association.
     

  • John Alford

    Ba.Phty Senior Physiotherapist

    John completed his Bachelor of Physiotherapy at James Cook University in Townsville. He has a special interest in treating sporting injuries with an emphasis on rugby. In his role as Senior Physiotherapist at First In Physio, he assists in mentoring the younger staff at the clinic and regularly runs Professional Development sessions on sports injuries. He is also qualified in dry needling, and uses this as an adjunct therapy with great success in his patients.

    When not at the clinic he can be found in the gym or on the football field. He is an active member of the Burdekin Rugby Club and has travelled with the Queensland Stockman’s Rugby Union Team to New Zealand in early 2013. John also enjoys playing touch football and social soccer.

    John is a current member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association.

  • Lisa Zabel

    Practice Manager

    Lisa has been First In Physio’s Practice Manager since 2013.
     
    Lisa is also a qualified Gymnastics Instructor and away from the clinic runs a very successful early childhood movement based program at the local PCYC. She also enjoying making quilts in her spare time as well as spending time with her husband and 2 teenage girls. (more…)

  • Scott DeFilippis

    Triathlon and Running Coach; Professional Triathlete

    First In Physio is proud to be affiliated with Scott DeFilippis, Professional Ironman Athlete and world class triathlon and running coach. Scott is currently based in America, and coaches athletes from all over the world via Training Peaks, email and Skype. Scott has been a professional Ironman athlete since 2009. (more…)

  • Richard Martin

    Native to the Sunshine Coast, Richard completed his Exercise Physiology studies in 2018 at Griffith University.  He started his career on the Sunny Coast before migrating to the beautiful Burdekin region as an ESSA Accredited Exercise Physiologist.  

    Richard has a special interest in long term athlete development – overseeing developing athletes and assisting in creating a balanced approach to training, life, injury prevention, and longevity in sport.  He also really enjoys his time spent treating clients with a disability, and takes this on board as a clinical area which he finds particularly rewarding.

    Passionate about all things outdoors and in particular water and snow sports, Richard spent a year working in Whistler, Canada as a snowboard instructor and enjoys travelling the world and generally fitting as much surfing, freediving and snowboarding into his life as he can.  Being born in South Africa, he also has a keen interest in Rugby and gets involved in local community sports like touch football and running wherever he can.

  • Joe Denison

    Joe completed his Bachelor of Physiotherapy at James Cook University in Townsville in 2018. He has a keen interest in orthopaedic rehabilitation and sporting injuries, especially ankle and knee injuries. Joe is also a qualified Clinical Pilates instructor, and he teaches a weekly group class in the clinic as well as one-on-one Clinical Pilates programs.

    Joe was born in Manchester, England before moving to Australia and growing up in Mossman, near Cairns.  Outside of work life, Joe is a keen runner and is an active player of the Burdekin Panthers Football Club. He also enjoys travelling to destinations around the world.

    Joe is a current member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association.