 Meet Our Team
Meet MarkÂ
Owner and Head Strength & Powerlifting Coach
My involvement in Strength and Conditioning goes back over 25 years. It all started in my teens with a tailored National Level program, which quickly taught me that progressive strength training is incredible for not just building muscle, but also boosting your overall health, mental wellbeing, and positive lifestyle.
Being competitive, I naturally gravitated toward powerlifting. I now coach and compete under the Australian Powerlifting Alliance (part of the IPF), training everyone from complete novices to elite athletes. Beyond the platform, I also bring over 15 years of combined martial arts training and instructing, plus coaching experience across various sports.
My goal is simple: to help you get stronger, improve your body composition, and enhance your athletic performance. I strongly believe that creating a fantastic training atmosphere is key to your success and hitting those big strength and performance goals!
Find him on instagram: @mark_mdstrength
Or e-mail: [email protected]
Qualifications
Coaching Experience
Training Experience & Sporting Achievements
Meet Lee-Ann
Owner, Manager and Strength & Powerlifting Coach
Before I was a powerlifter, I was an athlete—I spent years competing in swimming, triathlons, and archery. When I started weight training back in 2017, my goal was just to lose weight, but I quickly realized that reducing the number on the scale wasn't nearly as satisfying as increasing the weight on the bar! My focus immediately shifted to getting stronger, and I haven't looked back.
I'm now a National level powerlifter who has podiumed at every National Championship I've competed in. But my true passion is helping others find that same power. As a strength and powerlifting coach, I specialise in taking people from their very first time under the barbell to discovering the transformative power of strength training. I'm here to teach you how to get strong the right way—with expert technique and a focus on consistency—so you can become confident, capable, and incredibly proud of every single achievement.
When I'm not lifting, I spend my time in education. I'm a VIT registered teacher and have held a few different roles, including Assistant Principal, Student Wellbeing Coordinator and a Learning Specialist. My background as an educator, and as an Education Consultant for organizations like Lexis Education, the Department of Education, NGV, and VicTESOL, is what fuels my coaching: it's all about teaching, building confidence, and celebrating success.
Find her on instagram: @leeann_mdstrength
Or e-mail: [email protected]
Qualifications
Work Experience
Training Experience & Sporting Achievements
Meet Hannah
Head of Exercise Science and Senior Powerlifting Coach
My approach to coaching is founded on decades of high-performance sport and deep academic expertise. I am a National-level powerlifter, as well as a former National-level kayaker having spent 15 years in competitive kayaking and swimming. Academically, I hold a PhD in Behavioural Sports and Health Economics and work as a lecturer at both Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and La Trobe University.
I've worked in the health and fitness industry for over a decade, specialising in complex cases like occupational pain management, chronic pain, and powerlifting-specific injury management. I also specialise in areas critical to long-term health, including women's health (perimenopause), cardiac/stroke rehabilitation, and sarcopenia (age-related muscle loss).
Above all, I'm a hands-on powerlifting coach dedicated to helping others find their confidence and safety at the barbell. I'm here to guide you, from addressing your body-weight and confidence struggles to mastering your technique, ensuring you find your "happy place" in the gym and unlock the strongest version of yourself.
Find her on instagram: @hannahaltman_mdstrength
Or e-mail: [email protected]
Qualifications
Work Experience
Training Experience & Sporting Achievements
Meet Freya
Team Mascot & Supervisor
At only 12 months old, Freya has already established herself as the MD Strength Team Mascot and Supervisor. She is passionate about ensuring every member is provided with the attention and support during their training sessions; overseeing heavy lifts, inspecting treat inventory for quality control, and ensuring no one skips a session or snack time. She believes that rewards and treats are an essential part of training and recovery.
When she’s not supervising, she can be found offering motivational stares or graciously accepting belly rubs as payment for her hard work.
Find her on instagram: @freya_thesamoyed
