Sport and exercise have always been an important part of my life. As a 6yr old, I first discovered soccer and fell instantly in love. I then also picked up hockey (field and indoor), and basketball. In high school, I tried my hand at orienteering and cycling (road and track), competing at a national level in both. I had a scholarship to the ACT Academy of Sport for road cycling, and was part of the National Talent Identification and Development program through Cycling Australia. I won a number of titles, including the Australasian Schools Time Trial Champion. Unfortunately, injury (a broken back and heart surgery) cut my cycling career short. After recovery and rehabilitation, I realised my passion lay more in coaching than competing, and I decided to become a Personal Trainer.

I completed my Cert. III and IV in fitness in 2013, and alongside university commitments, I have worked in outdoor group fitness since then. I have also completed university subjects in sports coaching, strength and conditioning, and sports psychology, as well as additional training in punchfit and powerflex. I was also lucky enough to discover Triathlon in 2014 and found the half ironman distance (1.9km swim, 90km cycle, 21.1km run) to be my ‘sweet spot’. I have competed in a number of triathlons; the highlight being selected to represent Australia in the 2017 Half Ironman World Championships in the USA. I am a postgraduate neuroscience research student and am passionate about the benefits of exercise in not only general health and well-being, but also how essential regular exercise is for mental health. While I have been lucky enough to compete at the elite level, I believe maintaining an exercise regime regardless of your fitness levels, promotes not only a healthy body but also a healthy mind.

Armando is an energetic and passionate personal trainer.

Growing up in the 80s in Italy Armando enjoyed his active life, often playing footy late into the night until his Mum called for him to come home. He like many other teens went through a party phase, under the influence of drugs and alcohol and becoming physically and mentally unwell.

When Armando moved to Australia he began running a restaurant, in what was meant to be his calling with a secure job that paid well. However, the catch was he would not be able to spend as much time with his family. During COVID Armando decided to become a personal trainer so he could be with his wife and children more, to live a better and happy life. He is 20kg lighter and embraces life to the full by taking himself out of his comfort zone. When he left his secure job, he did so not knowing where he would be next. However, he knew that doing such a thing would be more valuable.

Armando believes that helping people achieve their fitness goals is a great feeling and would not trade that for anything else. He encourages his clients to give value to their time. So don’t sell yourself for cheap and take steps to improve your life so you can live longer too. At the end of the day, we all end up in the same place with no more time to give. So embrace what you have now and don’t take it for granted.