Our Team
Meet the Elossa Team
Lilliana Barone
Founder
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Tell us a bit about yourself
I was lucky enough to move to the Illawarra nearly 25 years ago and I feel very privileged to be living in such a beautiful area. I grew up in country NSW, moved to Sydney to study and completed a Masters in Nutrition and Dietetics at Sydney University. I have worked as a Dietitian for over 30 years and am a specialist clinical lead in aged care. My husband (David) and I recently became ‘empty nesters’ when our third and last child moved to Sydney to study and, being Italian, I miss the chaos of my family around the dinner table.
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Outside the gym, what are you favourite ways to exercise?
We are spoiled for choice here in the Illawarra. I enjoy walking with friends, family and my dog through the bush or on the beach and of course having a coffee afterwards! I enjoy mountain biking – there are lots of great bush tracks and I am a new convert to the e-bike! I also enjoy splashing around in the ocean, although I am a bit of a wimp, so I only do this in summer!
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Fun Fact
Every Saturday we do The Goodweekend Quiz – The Kids vs David and I…. unfortunately the kids always beat us!
Dean Towers
Exercise Physiologist & Manager
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Tell us a bit about yourself
I grew up in country Victoria, completed my schooling in Colac while playing every sport my parents would agree to drive me to. After a gap year spent on the tools (plumbing), I moved to Ballarat to take up my university studies in 2010. 11 years later I finally graduated from UNSW with honours. There was a 6 season stint playing AFL with the Sydney Swans that slowed me down from graduating any earlier. My wife (Jess) and I have now settled in Mount Ousley and have fallen in love with the Illawarra.
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What made you want to work at Elossa? What do you love about working at Elossa?
2 main reasons:
1. I love working with people and helping them achieve their goals, but I also didn’t want to be restricted to seeing a handful of 1 on 1 clients a day. Elossa gives me the ability to see and help hundreds of people a week.
2. The best benefits of strength, fitness, and balance training are seen in the long term, I was always excited to work at Elossa as it gave me the opportunity to help set up members for long term lifestyle change. This long term approach fits in well with my values as an Exercise Physiologist, and as added perk it allows me to build stronger relationships with members which I love. -
Outside the gym, what are you favourite ways to exercise?
Outside of trying to get my minimum 2 x circuits a week in at Elossa, I love taking my dog (Annie - red/tan Kelpie) on runs down at Fairy Meadow dog beach and Puckeys Estate. The ocean walkways are great for runs followed by a swim at the many ocean pools, and I’m looking for a local tennis team to join for some regular games.
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Fun Fact
I’m a keen home-brewer.
Hannah Kuschel
Exercise Physiologist
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Tell us a bit about yourself
I grew up in the Southern Highlands before moving to the Illawarra for uni. After graduating with a Masters of Science (Nutrition, Dietetics & Exercise Rehabilitation) in 2013 I worked as a Dietitian and Exercise Physiologist for a number of years, then later as a Rehabilitation Consultant. My husband and I love living in Wollongong where we are spoilt with the beach, mountains and plenty of coffee.
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What made you want to work at Elossa? What do you love about working at Elossa?
I really enjoy working as an Exercise Physiologist in the community where you get the opportunity of being a part of people’s journey to better health. The older we get, the more noticeable the impact of exercise on everyday life can be and a core value of Elossa is to create a space where people can exercise safely to Do More of what they love. I’ve loved working with a team who celebrates members successes and being a part of a community of members who have been so warm and genuine.
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Outside the gym, what are you favourite ways to exercise?
I enjoy walks along Wollongong Harbour or when I get the chance a bush walk on one of our local tracks. I also love bike riding and the Illawarra offers some of the most enjoyable trips I could ask for. Last summer I took up paddle boarding which has been a fun way to enjoy the water.
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Fun Fact
While I have always enjoyed fitness I am hopeless at catching or throwing! I was always picked last for team sports and I don’t blame them.
Louise Ridley
Exercise Physiologist
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Tell us a bit about yourself
I grew up in the northern suburbs of Wollongong and have been fortunate to live here my whole life. I have 15 years experience working in the health industry as a remedial massage therapist, sports trainer and now Clinical Exercise Physiologist. In that time, I have worked in a wide range of sectors including elite athletes, private practice, community aged care and paediatrics. Prior to exercise physiology, I also studied a Bachelor of Nutrition Science.
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What made you want to work at Elossa?
As an Exercise Physiologist I am passionate about improving people’s quality of life, and improving their relationship with food and exercise. This job has allowed me to meet people of all different walks of life and I am privileged to have assisted them in their health journey. I wanted to work at Elossa as their core values resonated with me and I admired the community they have developed based around exercise.
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Outside of the gym what are your favourite ways to exercise?
Outside of going to the gym myself 2-3 times a week for strength training with a coach. I enjoy swimming laps especially at Port Kembla pool, as well as bush walking at all the wonderful National Parks surrounding the Illawarra.
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Fun Fact?
I am an avid reader and have read 42 books this year.
I also enjoy dabbling in craft.
Jeff Doukakis
Exercise Physiologist
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Tell us a bit about yourself
It took me a little while to find my way to exercise physiology. I wasn't particularly sporty, or interested in science growing up, and the idea of not only doing a science degree but loving it would have made my younger self laugh. I grew up on the Central Coast and moved to Sydney to pursue a career as a drummer after high school. I was fortunate to work as a drummer and teacher for close to 20 years before deciding it was time for a change. I began studying exercise science, before transferring into exercise physiology to work in a more clinical setting. I graduated at the end of 2023 with honours, and have very recently moved to Wollongong.
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What made you want to work at Elossa?
During my final year placements I saw first hand the benefit that exercise can have on healthy aging. It was not simply about being able to perform a certain lift, but about helping people be able to do the things they love doing for longer, and that's exactly what Elossa is all about for me. I’ve felt welcome from day one working here, and there’s a great sense of community that I really love.
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Outside the gym, what are you favourite ways to exercise?
It may seem boring, but I love going for a walk. Being this close to the beach is pretty special, although it’s mostly walking beside the beach rather than swimming in it due to being able to last about 8 seconds in the sun before gradually turning red. Less than ideal for an Australian summer!
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Fun Fact
I worked for 3 years at a specialty coffee shop during uni that took itself very, very seriously, and I could talk for hours about coffee varietals, brewing methods, and all things flavour. Interesting for coffee drinkers, and great to put non-coffee drinkers to sleep!
Riley Burk
Exercise Physiologist
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Tell us a bit about yourself
I grew up near Canberra out in the bush but travelled to the coast a lot from a young age. I did all my schooling in Canberra and, after a gap year, I moved to Wollongong in 2019 to study engineering at UOW. After a year of engineering I decided I’d prefer to study Exercise Physiology, made the change, and did not regret it.
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What made you want to work at Elossa? What do you love about working at Elossa?
Even after realising engineering wasn’t for me, I held onto my love for new innovative technology and incorporated that into my desire to help educate and train people to better manage health conditions. Elossa combines innovative technology with an awesome, fun and social environment which I really admire and want to be a part of.
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Outside the gym, what is your favourite way to exercise?
I fell in love with the gym and weightlifting whilst studying and recovering from an old soccer injury but I also enjoy playing all kinds of sports and other methods of exercise. At the moment I am playing OzTag with friends, training for a run and getting back to mountain biking (something I did a lot as a kid out in the bush).
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Fun fact?
I love rock climbing (bouldering) but unfortunately…. I am not very good, leading to a lot of tumbles.
Ryan Davis
Exercise Scientist/ Exercise Physiologist in Training
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Tell us a bit about yourself
I grew up in the Wollondilly and Camden areas and went to school at St Gregorys college in Campbelltown. I have been involved with many sports throughout my life however football (soccer) has been my passion. I moved to Wollongong in 2020 to be closer to university where I completed a Bachelor of Exercise Science. I am currently studying a Masters of Clinical Exercise Physiology at Charles Sturt University in which I will graduate in July 2024. Moving to Wollongong has been one of the best things I’ve done as I love being so close to the beach and hope to stay for as long as I can.
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What made you want to work at Elossa? What do you love about working at Elossa?
I wanted to work at Elossa as I wanted to get experience in the exercise and health field. Elossa also enables you to form good relationships with the members and track progress regularly. What I love about working at Elossa is the bonds you form with the members, which makes it a fun environment to come to work to.
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Outside the gym, what are your favourite ways to exercise?
Outside of Elossa, I play soccer every weekend during winter, and play Oztag during summer. I also enjoy going for runs on the bike tracks of Wollongong and surfing when the swell is good. I have recently tried bouldering which has been great.
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Fun Fact
I'm also a DJ in a group with my best mate. We're called 'The Fins.'
Joanna Devey
Exercise Scientist
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Tell us a bit about yourself
I grew up and went to school in a small town outside of Canberra before attending the University of Canberra to do a Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science. After finishing my degree and spending lots of time studying at home throughout lockdown, I was keen to move to the beach with my partner and dog. We settled on Wollongong and are enjoying the warmer weather and landscape that the Illawarra has to offer. I plan to continue studying here at UOW.
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What made you want to work at Elossa? What do you love about working at Elossa?
I wanted to work at Elossa because I love helping people integrate exercise into their daily lives. I’m especially interested in how regular exercise can help improve our mental health and love seeing everyone smiling, laughing, and chatting in our classes.
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Outside the gym, what are you favourite ways to exercise?
Having a border collie means I’m out walking a lot. We enjoy exploring new parts of the neighbourhood and walking along the beach. Now that the weather has cleared up I’ve been going on more hikes to the amazing waterfalls in the Kangaroo Valley and surrounds. My partner and I are converting our bikes into e-bikes, which I’m hoping will mean that we use them more.
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Fun Fact
I’m learning how to sew on a 1978 Bernina machine.