How I became an EP.

If you’ve just landed here, hi — I’m Dee! I’m an Accredited Exercise Physiologist, Pilates instructor, and first-time mum who recently took the leap into running my own business. But before Dee the EP became a thing, the path to get here wasn’t exactly straightforward.

Clockwise → 1 - Me and my little bestie, 2- back in the car care days, 3- Pupalates @ Function Well, 4- My first EP job out of uni!, 5- NYC adventues with my love, 6- First fell in love with mat pilates!, 7- Euro-trip circa 2015, 8- Graduation Day!

Where It All Began

Like a lot of people in health, my love for movement started young. I was the girl who played netball, touch footy and thrived on school athletics days. At 17, I went on to do my Cert III & IV in Fitness while I was still completing year 12, which gave me my first glimpse at what a career in this space could look like. But life took me in a different direction first.

At 17, about to legally be able to hit the the clubs and live large (good times), I wasn’t exactly sold on the idea of early wake-up’s and the life of a PT. I also knew I didn’t want to jump straight into university and rack up a huge HECS debt unless I was 100% sure that was what I wanted to do. One thing was for certain, I wanted to make as much money as I could so I could travel while I was young and save up for a house deposit (young Deena was determined AF).

For over a decade, I worked in the car industry as an aftermarket sales consultant — a job that taught me discipline, grit, and how to connect with people from all walks of life. I was good at it, but I always knew it wasn’t my forever.

The Turning Point

The spark for exercise physiology really lit when I was training for a fitness model/bodybuilding competition (that’s a story for another day). At the time, I was weight training a lot and using the gym as my coping mechanism to deal with the pressure of my job. Mix in overtraining, a jacked nervous system, and poor recovery, and I ended up with shoulder bursitis. It was so painful I could barely drive.

I went to see a physio, did some rehab, and slowly got better. That moment was a game-changer, I thought, wow, what a cool job, helping people move better and feel good again. But I also had a little PTSD from the gym and heavy training, so I pivoted to low-impact movement. That’s when I discovered my love for yoga and Pilates.

I started going to this little place in Brisbane called Harlow, where I did heated mat Pilates and yoga. I loved it, the playlists were fire, the instructors’ cueing was amazing, and the vibe felt like moving in a club (shout out to Wes and Karlie for being the GOAT instructors). For the first time in ages, I felt strong again in a way that was fun, empowering, and healing.

Back to Study

Eventually, I decided to go all in. After ticking off New York City/ Paris adventures off the bucket list and buying a house, at 26 I went back to university as a mature-aged student to complete my Exercise Physiology degree. Was it tough juggling study with full-time work? Abso-f*cking-lutely. But it also showed me how much I wanted this and that my life experience would only make me a better practitioner.

Mature-aged students are honestly a different breed of people. Balancing study, full-time work, mortgages, and “adult life” makes the whole experience so much more intense. It’s also super lonely as most of your friends have already graduated and are building their careers. It took me six years to finish a four-year degree, and it’s one of the things I’m most proud of.

Along the way, I became a Pilates instructor. That’s where I found my “chemistry” for exercise, while strength training will always be the cornerstone of long term health - Pilates is what I’ve always come back to, even in the hardest seasons.

My schedule back then was wild: 4am wake-ups to teach a 5am class, 10-hour workdays, then racing to a studio for the 6pm slot. Looking back, I’m shocked at the output, but teaching never truly felt like work. Helping people enjoy exercise, move better, and knowing I was part of the best hour of their day was the joy carried me through.

Eventually, I graduated and left a prosperous career in the car industry, at the top of my game — to start again as a new grad EP at 31.

Where I Am Now

Fast forward to now: I’ve worked with clients across so many different settings — private practice, community health, disability, and Pilates studios. I’ve seen firsthand how powerful movement is, not just for injury recovery or managing health conditions, but for confidence, independence, and quality of life. And after becoming a mum in 2023, I’ve experienced how much harder (and more important) it is to carve out time for your own health.

After returning to full-time work post-maternity leave, I found myself burnt out and craving more. I enjoyed my role, but I felt trapped by the constraints of working for someone else. I longed for flexibility, entrepreneurship, and the chance to build something bigger than myself. Sure, I’ll miss the stability of a steady paycheck, annual leave, and parental leave. But I’m a big believer that sometimes you’ve just got to risk it for the biscuit and honestly, I think some of us are simply wired to work for ourselves.

That’s why I created Dee the EP, working as a sole trader across two amazing Brisbane locations (and online) so I can connect with, serve, and guide as many people as possible towards better health, stronger movement, and finding their own spark for exercise.

Thanks for reading, until next time.

— Dee 💜