Hi Physio Ray, thanks for letting us do a profile on you! How long have you been a member of Bayside Tri Club (BTC) and what encouraged you to join?
I’ve been a member for a year, but I've been closely working with the BTC community as a physio since I moved down to Bayside a few years ago. I thought it would be about time to join; I had a blast last year meeting everyone at the race tent. It’s also great to see so many friendly faces when I’m out on Beach Road or swimming in the bay.
How did you hear about us?
Haha unfortunately via the sad, injured BTC athletes who come and see me in clinic over the years.
Oh boo, that’s terrible ☹ (Terrible for us; for you it’s probably quite lucrative!) What do you like about Bayside Tri Club?
It’s such a great community to be part of – everyone is very welcoming and loves a good chat.
Why do you run the Strength & Conditioning sessions for BTC?
I just love making athletes strong! I know how frustrating injuries are and to be able to string together a whole season injury free is a huge win. All the science shows how good strength training is for the endurance athlete. Also, there’s a lot of banter that goes on during those strength classes.
Yes, we are rather witty 😊
What distance(s) triathlons have you done?
I like Sprint and Olympic distance races – the shorter stuff as you can race a bit more and get away with a little less training. I will probably do a 70.3 one day but not in a rush.
What sporting achievement are you most proud of?
Not sure really, I do sport for fun and the mental health side of it. I've won a few tris/fun runs and I’m usually close to the podium most races I enter but I’m really just out there to enjoy and challenge myself.
Easy for some! What are your best times?
Sprint distance I think 62 mins and Olympic 2 hours 10 minutes.
You’re no Chris Dunn with his exact breakdown of stats, are you? 😊 Who’s your main triathlon rival?
Haha, well last year I finished a race with the exact same time to the second as Coach Clint VB so everyone has been talking about this “rivalry”. He does have 20 years on me though so he’s much more impressive.
He does have a few years on you 😊 (He’s 50-54 age group and you’re 25-29). What are your race aspirations?
I’m really keen to see what I am capable of physically, watching these Olympics has really inspired me.
Were you particularly inspired by your namesake Raygun?
Haha, no comment.
Who’s your greatest supporter?
Bec my partner – she’s a swimmer so we swim in the bay a lot in the summer.
What’s your spirit animal?
Manta Ray – they’re cool and majestic creatures, as long as they don't surprise me while I'm swimming in the bay.
And they have a great name too? 😊
Haha, yes.
What else do you do for fun?
I have a million hobbies because I get bored pretty easily, I’m a videographer (hobby turned into a job) and I capture a lot of weddings in summer. I also recently started a Youtube Channel (Endorphin Therapist) about all things triathlon, running, strength & conditioning content which has gained a bit of traction. I also speak Spanish at a conversational level and have been on this learning journey for the past few years. Oh yes – also I play pop covers on the violin as well.
So many hobbies! What’s your favourite pop cover to play on the violin?
Save your tears by The Weeknd.
Tell us about your physio work – why should we come and see you?
I have worked at Pursue Health for the past 4 years and after working in elite soccer before that, I now have a special interest in endurance athletes. I work with a lot of cyclists and triathletes of all different levels from the Beginner age grouper to World Tour Cyclists. I specialise in bike fits, injury rehab and performance strength programs.
What’s coming up for you next?
Super excited – I’m lucky enough to be capturing a couple of weddings in Italy and then will be making a trip out of it. 2 weeks in Spain (to keep improving my Spanish) and will do a week in Mallorca for some cycling in heaven!
Anything else we should know about you?
I grew up in the Eastern suburbs of Melbourne and played pretty much everything growing up from basketball, soccer and cricket to athletics. I think I had the record for most days of school missed due to sport! I was mainly focused on running during the last few years of my teens.
And lastly, any other special talents (as well as sport, violin, Spanish, videographing and YouTubing)!?
I’m really good at guessing populations of Australian towns (to the nearest 10,000 people), I’ve done many long road trips in my life so it’s a game I like to play.
Oo, let’s play! Guess the population of Toowoomba?
I’ve never been to Toowoomba but I'm going to say similar to a Ballarat or Bendigo so 110,000?
Toowoomba’s population is listed as 105,784 in 2024. Pretty good MantaRaygun 😊 Congratulations on your many sporting and other achievements, thanks for being our physio, and we’re pleased to have you as a member of Bayside Tri Club (especially if you can actually beat Clint this season)!
