Our Team
“Sports Medicine is unique, we have the privilege of optimizing health, getting people back to what they love. I am equally as passionate about performance, as keeping adolescents active in a safe and sustainable way, for lifelong wellbeing.”
Dr Nicole Sly
Sport & Exercise Physician
Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery Bachelor of Physiotherapy
During medical training, Nicole was drawn to Paediatrics and with a background as a Physiotherapist, Sports Medicine was always a keen interest. She combined these passions, working with adolescents in private practice and in school settings. Under the tutelage of the Paediatric Sports Medicine Specialists at Children’s Hospital at Westmead, this interest grew.
Having worked with elite Australian athletes in Cricket, Rugby Union, Sevens, Rowing and Triathlon, she understands that performance requires optimal physical, mental and social wellbeing, established over many years. Nicole brings these elite skills and knowledge into the developing athlete space.
Seeing injuries and illnesses that could have been avoided, she wanted to do more than put the pieces back together. Perform Wellbeing was born from this desire to help athletes thrive and to support their ‘village’ to make choices with confidence.
Nicole has published research in the field of Injury Prevention in Youth Rugby Union, focusing on research translation to real world implementation.
She is eager to continue to be part of the solution, in bringing evidence based performance and wellbeing education directly to schools and the community.
Practicing from Northern Beaches Sports Medicine.
“Sport has played a pivotal role in Ashleigh’s life, fostering a passion for ensuring that adolescents are empowered to understand their growing bodies”
Ashleigh Gellert
Physiotherapist
Bachelor of Human Nutrition Master of Physiotherapy
With 10 years experience as a musculoskeletal Physiotherapist, Ashleigh has held positions such as Head Physiotherapist of ACT Volleyball and Cricket. She is a preferred provider for Rowing Australia Junior athletes, has consulted with Tennis Australia athletes and the Young Matildas, and currently works with Paralympic Australian Youth athletes.
Early in her career, Ashleigh realised her passion for working with children and adolescents. believing that they should not be treated as mini adults. She recognizes the impact of growth and development on the musculoskeletal system, often peaking at the same time as escalating training demands and sports specialization and that a holistic approach is required to maintain health and wellbeing.
Ashleigh has the personal experience of being an elite adolescent athlete, having been a footballer in the ACT Academy of Sport program for over 5 years and touring with the Australian Schoolgirls Football team.
Ashleigh has developed and led the Physiotherapy program in some of Sydney’s finest schools. She delivers evidence-based treatments and is passionate about being proactive and stopping injury before it occurs.
Perform Wellbeing is here to do just that. We educate and empower those with growing, active bodies and their support team on how to be well, and perform well, giving them the tools they need to succeed.
Practicing from Physi Kids Physiotherapy.
“Young people are at such a critical time in their neural development, and it’s exciting to support them as they build autonomy, confidence, and resilience.”
Suzie Rhydderch
Clinical Psychologist
Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) Master of Clinical Psychology
With a background in elite sport, and aspirations to pursue a career as an athlete, Suzie understands the mindset, discipline, and focus required to perform at the highest level. Perhaps what was not so well understood in her years as a junior athlete, were the importance of balance, flexible thinking, and overall wellbeing for the “long game”.
Through her own experiences, Suzie’s desire to work with developing athletes grew, as they navigate juggling high performance goals and competing demands with family, school and social commitments.
In over 10 years of working with a range of elite athletes, Suzie has learned that the same characteristics that set an athlete up for success, can also be the traits that lead to their demise - perfectionism, intensity, identity fused with achievement. She enjoys working with people to understand how their brains can optimise performance and wellbeing through awareness, action, and application.
Perform Wellbeing has been designed specifically to connect and collaborate with adolescents who have an appetite for learning and are primed to adopt proactive strategies to meet their goals in sport and life.
Suzie has worked with the Sydney Swans AFL club, the NSW Waratahs, and the NSW Breakers, in addition to private practice. She feels enormously privileged to be in a position of trust as she walks alongside athletes in both the community and elite space.
Practicing from Beaches Clinical Psychology.
“Ashleigh translates complex sports nutrition science into practical, actionable strategies and loves teaching athletes how to make healthy foods taste amazing”
Ashleigh Brunner
Advanced Sports Dietitian Accredited Practising Dietitian & Accredited Nutritionist
Bachelor of Science (Nutrition) Honours in Nutrition (First Class) Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise & Sports Science)
Ashleigh is an accomplished Dietitian with a strong background working with developing and adolescent athletes. Her expertise spans elite sports and dance, performance nutrition and corporate wellness, making her a sought-after speaker and workshop facilitator.
Her impressive portfolio includes working with Olympic athletes at the NSW Institute of Sport across various disciplines such as Canoe Sprint, Rowing, Winter Sport, Hockey, Triathlon, Diving and Sailing. Her breadth of experience also encompasses collaborations with Tennis Australia, Australian Women's Rugby 7's and Gymnastics Australia. Ashleigh serves as the dietitian for Bangarra Dance Troupe and has worked with many professional dancers in the Australian Ballet.
Ashleigh has trained formally in presenting and creates experiences to foster better engagement and retention of nutrition knowledge and skills, sharing up-to-date, trustworthy information.
As a former elite youth swimmer with a lifelong passion for sports and healthy living, Ashleigh connects with and understand athletes' needs. She is a strong believer in creating a positive and enjoyable relationship with food, teaching athletes how to make healthy foods taste amazing, enabling food choices which are sustainable and meet their goals.