Simon Macaulay has multiple qualifications and over 40 years experience employed in the Health and Fitness Industry and as a Allied Health Professional, including 17 years in the AFL as the senior team Physiotherapist for the Western Bulldogs and the Australian Team Physiotherapist for the International Series games versus Ireland.

Simon Macaulay’s unique style is no frills, very personalised and holistic. All clients receive a 45 minute individual consultation that begins with a thorough assessment of needs that are not just limited to the referred physical problem or injury. Simon's sensitivity and awareness of any potential contributing factors are noted, respected and discussed.

Simon is an educationalist. His teaching background has inspired him to ensure his patients are well informed of their injury diagnosis and what practice strategies need to be utilised to assist in their recovery. Simon encourages questioning and values both his own and his patients accountability to achieve the best outcome. This involves empowering and motivating clients to comply with their own 'self-help'. This may include home rehabilitation, general fitness exercises, postural self awareness/correction, core strength and mobility, healthy eating plans (to assist with weight control) and importantly, good mental health practices.

Simon Macaulay has specialised post graduate qualifications in the field of Exercise Rehabilitation. He has extensive experience in both acute and chronic musculoskeletal injury, and in particular the pre and post operative management following spinal, shoulder, hip, knee and ankle joint surgery.

His close working alliance with some of Melbourne’s most prominent and internationally acclaimed orthopaedic surgeons and sports physicians is testimony to his professionalism, caring and high quality practice.

Simon Macaulay has observed and helped shape the many trends and changes to the services that benefit the health and well being for both junior and elite athletes, and those seeking rehabilitation, recreational fitness and body preservation.

Simon Macaulay has in the past been described a “fitness fanatic”, that today he dismisses believing that ones attitude to fitness and it’s maintenance including his own, is highly personal and dependant on life’s ever changing variables that influence it. Suffice to say, Simon’s fitness bias will forever maintain that physical fitness plays an enormous role in the maintenance of both optimal physical and mental health, and therefore quality of living.

Simon Macaulay Life Active Physio services includes fitness conditioning in gyms and fitness centres, home/office, parks and gardens, the beach and pools, all either in the form of supervised personal training, coaching or teaching.

Simon Macaulay has complimented both his undergraduate Physical Education and post graduate training in hydrotherapy for Exercise Rehabilitation, by providing pool based exercise therapy for over 30 years predominantly at The Melbourne Sports and Acquatic Centre (MSAC).

He is also an experienced adult swimming teacher believing, that especially with age and injury, non weight bearing exercise in water for rehabilitation and fitness purposes is ideal, providing a fun and effective fitness alternative to the gym or parks. This he himself relates to from his own personal experience, and particularly recognises that the fun factor in swimming is largely dependant on acquiring the skills that he so passionately teaches.

Simon Macaulay has complimented both his undergraduate Physical Education and post graduate training in hydrotherapy for Exercise Rehabilitation, by providing pool based exercise therapy for over 30 years, predominantly at The Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC).

He is an experienced adult swimming teacher believing that, especially with age and injury, non weight bearing exercise in water for rehabilitation and fitness purposes is ideal, providing a fun, and effective fitness alternative to the gym or parks. This he himself relates to from his own personal experience, and particularly recognises that the fun factor in swimming is largely dependant on acquiring the skills that he so passionately teaches.

Simon Macaulay is passionate about enhancing postural awareness and providing education, correction and maintenance strategies/exercises.

Simon maintains that the deep stabilising (core) muscles are crucial for keeping the body optimally aligned and balanced, not only at rest but during movement and particularly against gravity. So yes, Pilates is good, but only as good as it’s functional application.

Prolonged or repetitive stressors on the musculoskeletal system due to poor body mechanics, either during movement or when sedentary, especially when sitting will forever lead to pathology and pain, most often spinal. Without doubt, the chair/computer combo helps keep the allied health profession in business, whereas Neanderthal man didn’t have this problem! Hence the modern study of Ergonomics.

Simon believes you have to be 'core' fit to sit ‘grand’ and also to stand! To run would then be at less injury risk, like a child. For this he can teach, train and inspire you, for a better look, feel and function . . . and that you probably shouldn’t run until you sort out and correct your posture!

Massage by a competent and experienced clinician provides many therapeutic benefits that regardless of technique will :

• assist in normalising resting muscle tone by reducing spasm and excessive tension (stiffness).

• improve circulation and therefore the oxygenation of tissues to promote healing and skin tone.

• stimulate the lymphatic system (our internal drainage)

• enhance a relaxation response by reducing the release of stress hormones, thereby providing a greater sense of well being and positively boosting mental health.

Simon Macaulay expertly practices any one or combination of Sports, Deep Tissue and Relaxation massage techniques, depending on the assessed needs of his client.

• Sports Massage being particularly useful after any physically demanding activity, albeit sport, recreation or work.

• Deep Tissue Massage for chronic muscle tension that’s causing local or referred pain, often secondary to injury and/or restricted flexibility and joint mobility (range of movement).

• Relaxation Massage for pleasure and stress relief, especially if overloaded by anxiety and worry.

Simon may also offer to incorporate ‘Mindfulness’ meditation (described as meditating on something in the moment), and other meditation styles into his massage sessions, if only to educate, experience and maybe inspire their very beneficial and user-friendly(home) practice.

Feel free to enquire!

Medical research has long now established that exercise promotes feelings of well being, reduces depression and anxiety, and improves cognitive function.

Yet exercise remains a relatively neglected intervention in mental health care.

This is largely due to the lack of synergy between psychologists, counsellors, physicians, exercise specialists, insurers and funding agencies.

Coupled with his strong belief in the physical health benefits of a well balanced active lifestyle, Simon Macaulay at Life Active Physio also trumpets these above mentioned ripple effects on mental health, including enhanced body image and self esteem.

As an older, experienced therapist and personal trainer, Simon is well credentialed and practiced in providing the necessary understanding, empathy and compassion to effectively coach positive lifestyle change. For not only does he sensitively inspire and motivate mental health sufferers to exercise, but also discusses, promotes and teach’s Mindfulness and other meditation techniques for further support.

Simon Macaulay is a very proud father of eight children, four of whom are still at primary or pre-school age.

Simon is therefore well credentialed to ‘work with children’ having been a very ‘hands-on’ loving dad for over 20 years.

As a qualified physical education teacher and experienced junior sports coach, he has years of experience coaching individual or team sport, including athletics, cross country, football, basketball and in particular, providing 1:1 running and swimming tuition.

Simon further mentors and inspires healthy, active lifestyle choices and teaches correct posture and biomechanics/ technique to enable high quality skill acquisition for optimal performance. This he maintains is most easily achieved during the child-adolescent’s developing years.