Meet the Team
Altitude Fitness Armidale (AFA) & Vera Vidya Yoga Studio would like to introduce our remarkable team. What a privilege to have so much knowledge, skill and experience in one local small business.
Ali Flynn
Founder and DirectorAli established AFA in 2009 to empower men and women to achieve a lifetime of fitness, health and self-worth. Ali has a long list of experience and qualifications, ranging from 10 years in counselling and therapy to training in Pilates, Boxing, Pre and Post Natal Fitness, Strength and Conditioning, Biomechanics, Mobility Functional Training and Vinyasa Flow Yoga. Ali acts as a Fitness Coach, Leader and Mentor for every person that enters the world of AFA. She is extremely hands on, designing every workout and class with 100% dedication and expertise. This means that you’ll never do the same program twice and she is constantly striving to improve the results and your experience with AFA.
Eilish Chalmers
Tech & Systems ManagerEilish is our new AFA Admin - the newest addition to the crew!
Eilish is an Armidale local, with diverse career experience and a taste for challenges. She enjoys walking (the Pine Forest is her favourite), reading, and, of course, training at AFA!
Nancy Howarth
Accounts Manager and Class InstructorNancy is our ‘go to lady’. She has played multiple roles since the establishment of AFA, from personal assistant to Ali through to manager and class instructor. Nancy now spends her time interacting with clients face to face, helping them to reach their goals and dreams. Nancy is trained in Thump Boxing, Pilates, Fitness and Women’s Health.
Tilly Brauer
PT & Class InstructorTilly has worked in the fitness industry for the last 10 years, between having 3 children. She has a Certificate 3 and 4 in Fitness and particularly loves training in strength, high intensity interval training and pre and post natal training. Tilly is passionate about being active and living a balanced and healthy lifestyle. She has also spent over 12 years in AgriBusiness in finance and operations.
Ali Perry
PT, Class Instructor & Yoga Teacher…AKA Ali the pocket rocket.
Ali has always had a love for sport, fitness & yoga. She played hockey nearly her whole life & has played in the space of boxing, powerlifting, rock climbing and triathlons.
Ali is a dynamic trainer who wants to know her clients individually and challenge them to the very best of their own capabilities.
She will find your own personal limit and push past it with you.
She wants to see you grow, challenge yourself and have fun - don’t be fooled by how little she is - she can be tough and she sure will make you work!
She’ll train you to be strong, inside and out - Her motto: if you’re not adapting, you’re not evolving
Willow Noakes
Class instructorWillow is a machine. She has worked in the fitness industry for over 10 years and specialises in cardio and whole body fitness. She has a passion for helping clients attain an avenue they enjoy and find challenging. She is tough but caring.
Hayden Freeman
Ironman Coach & Class InstructorBorn and bred right here in Armidale, Hayden has been racing in triathlons since the age of 15 which has lead him to all parts of this state chasing his passion. he has been lucky enough to have trained to be in elite squads around the North West area and has represented NIAS at the Academy Games.
Leisa Hunt
Class instructorClient turned trainer. Leisa's journey at AFA started in a beginners class, having never been to a gym or run 5 kms. Since then she has completed in so many events from half marathons to two half Ironman's.
Her passion lies in strength. Leisa is currently studying her Australian Strength and Conditioning L1 Coaching course. So if you have any questions on strength training she is your woman.
Benji Dutaillis
Exercise Scientist & PTBenji has completed a Masters of High Performance Sport, a Bachelor of Exercise & Sports Science, an Advanced Diploma in Circus Arts and has a L1 Australian Strength and Conditioning Certificate.He has extensive experience working with school aged children and emerging athletes.
Linda Hardman
Class InstructorLindi has 24 years in industry being involved in everything from fitness to dance. She runs her own business and loves training clients on the side. This woman has a zest for life and you need to try one of her sessions.
Lindi is trained up in combat, attack, balance, step, fit ball and so much more.
Bri Smith
Class InstructorBri is a client turned trainer.
She is so passionate about helping people find their path to health and fitness. She knows and believes in the benefits of training for your everyday wellbeing and she wants to help every AFA client that walks through the door find a way to create consistency and conquer results.
Grace Cassidy
Class InstructorGrace lives and breathes the values of AFA. She spent years on the track as a sprinter and now can be found in the gym doing strength or on the road training for Triathlons.
Grace is passionate about working with people and human movement. She is heading off to uni to study Physiotherapy, however she is still staying onboard the team helping behind the scenes.
Brittany Freeman
Swimming CoachBrittany has been a swimming coach for over 6 years. Starting swimming at 2 years old, Brittany went on to compete at state levels all throughout high school. She is passionate about teaching people from all walks of life about swimming. Her training philosophy is; to never give up even when it gets hard, encouragement is key and always make sure you have fun.
Kate Pattison
Yoga TeacherKate has a natural capacity for creating community around her. She is all heart and it shines through in everything she does. She first found Yoga after going through some life challenges. After spending years of working with others in youth work, she has found a home where she can teach and help others without burning herself out in the process.
Kate is passionate about teaching people how to listen to their bodies and still their minds. She believes there is something in yoga for everyone, it’s about finding what works for you and discovering your full potential. Come and experience her amazing energy.
Kate specialises in Yin, Restorative and Kids Yoga.
Chanel Leaudais
Meditation and Yoga TeacherChanel is a Dance Educator with over 15 years of practice in Vinyasa, Yin, Hatha Yoga; Yoga Nidra, Deep Breathe Work and Meditation.
Throughout her career, Chanel has specialised in Dance Education, Special Needs Education and Learning Support – discovering that through each venture, yoga and meditation were both an anchor and sanctuary for the mind and body.
Chanel worked in Integrated Dance as a dancer, choreographer and teacher. Experiences in this field took her to Sydney, Melbourne and Europe. She has been involved with projects at Sydney Dance Company, the Sydney Opera House, the Museum of Contemporary Art, CarriageWorks and Bundanoon Trust.
Amelia Griffiths
Pilates InstructorAmelia grew up in Brisbane as a classically trained competitive dancer. As many dancers do, while searching for amicable cross-training aimed at maintenance and rehabilitation, Amelia fell in love with Pilates. While currently studying a Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology at UNE, she completed her Mat Pilates certification through Barre Body. She aims to teach holistic classes that work through all axis and planes of the body, while educating on the bodily responsibilities and anatomy behind movement. Amelia also enjoys testing her own limits through HIIT and Strength & Conditioning workouts.
Cailtin Chalmers
Yoga Teacher
Emma Abbott
Yoga Teacher
Kath McMillan
Studio Teacher
Tanya Howard
Yoga TeacherTanya is a Level 1 hatha yoga teacher who has been practising for over 20 years, with a strong background in the Iyengar tradition. Living in Armidale since 2012, Tanya is a mother of 3 and an advocate for mindfulness. She combines a focus on alignment with an integrated breath and movement practice, to help you unlock your natural energy and focus. Tanya believes in accessible yoga and welcomes all levels of experience to join her class.
Alfie
MascotAlfie is our youngest team member, joining us from his pack in July, 2018. He has come to the AFA team to help educate clients and staff on running techniques, wilderness survival and plyometric training. Alfie is much loved in the community and will be seen out and about at numerous sporting events…you may even catch a glimpse of him down the street.