HypoActive

We have confirmed the following speakers for AcT1vate, with more to come.

Katherine Iscoe
B.A., M.Sc., CEP, Ph.D. Candidate
Director of the Perth Diabetes Fits Camps

Katherine has been involved in diabetes research since her undergraduate degree in Kinesiology & Health Sciences at York University, Toronto, Canada. She completed her Master of Science with Dr. Michael Riddell, a leader in the field of sports science & diabetes, where they examined the impact of exercise on blood glucose control in individuals with type 1 diabetes. Her current research, with Dr. Paul Fournier at the University of Western Australia, aims to create clinical guidelines for exercise using continuous glucose monitors. 

Katherine lead the exercise physiology team for the first ever diabetes sports camp for adults, created by Dr. Matt Corcoran, in the summer of 2006 and 2007 in the United States called Diabetes Training Camps. Diabetes Training Camps have since expanded significantly and run all across the US.

In 2009 Katherine created a weekend version of Diabetes Training Camps for people living in Perth, WA called Diabetes Fits.  The weekend was a huge success and generated interest from all over Australia.

Both the Diabetes Training Camps and the Perth Diabetes Fits Camps inspired HypoActive and Diabetes Australia - Victoria to create AcT1vate.

Tony Benson
Level 5 Track and Field coach 
Level 3 Triathlon Coach 
National Track and Field Consultant (AFTCA)
Director of Endurance Performance Systems

A 1972 Olympian and once the fifth ranked 5000m runner in the world, Tony was undefeated on tours of the USA and Europe between 1970 and 1972, is the last Australian distance runner to win at the prestigious Cologne, Stockholm and Oslo meets. In addition Tony is a sub "4" minute miler, a former Australian 2000m record holder and the 1969 Pacific Conference 1500m Gold Medalist.

Tony began coaching in 1967 while teaching at St Patrick's College in Ballarat. During this period a small skinny kid named Steve Moneghetti arrived at St. Patrick's starting an association that would last through Steve's foundation years. He first became involved in triathlon through Emma Carney while still the National T & F Coaching Director of Australia and assisted her with her running during 1993 and 1994 as she started to make her very successful transition from a national class runner to World Champion triathlete.

In June 1993 he left Athletics Australia and by the end of 1994 had a squad of 25 athletes. Since then the squad has grown to the point where there are usually between 70 and 80 athletes training at six to eight different locations around Melbourne as well as interstate and overseas.

Tony Benson has been the Head Coach of Olympic, Commonwealth, World Championship and Asian Games teams, lectured in Africa, Asia and the Pacific on behalf of the International Olympic Committee and International Association of Athletic Federation and put his theories into practice by producing Olympic athletes and World Championship level athletes, triathletes and duathletes.

In 1993, at the insistance of close friend Irv Ray, Tony and Irv produced a best selling coaching book called "Run With The Best". He now runs a successful coaching business called Endurance Performance Systems.

Tony will bring to AcT1vate his approach on getting the most out of your time dedicated to exercise, and will provide you with tools and tips that you will be able to apply to your own training regime, no matter what level of fitness or exercise goal.

Mike Morgan
Director, First Track Adventures

Mike created First Track Adventures ten years ago, providing a range of outdoor adventure activities focussed on introductory level participants.

His company provides courses in mountain bike riding, skiing and snow camping, canoeing, bushwalking, rockclimbing/abseiling, high ropes, caving and Koori studies.  Clients include schools, businesses, private groups and Diabetes Camps Victoria, for children with diabetes aged 8-17 years.

Mike has also had type one diabetes for over 26 years.

Mike and his instructors will lead the 'introduction to cycling' session at AcT1vate.  Using the fleet of First Track mountain bikes, he will cover essential cycling skills that will enable all participants to ride with greater confidence.

Helen Donovan
B.Sc (Psychology), Grad.Dip. Psych, Cert III & IV Fitness, D.Psych Candidate
Director of Lifestyle Management Australia
 
Helen works in the area of health psychology and specializes in effective strategies for health behaviour change. In addition to her own practice, she also works with Diabetes Australia, the Heart Foundation and ‘Go For Your Life’ on programs to empower individuals and groups to establish their personal lifestyle goals and use evidence-based techniques to move towards those goals.
 
Helen is also a group fitness instructor, teaching pilates and cycle classes as she is a strong believer in the interdependence of physical health and mental health.

Cheryl Steele
RN - CDE
Manager, Diabetes Education Services at Western Health

Cheryl is a credentialed diabetes nurse educator, midwife and health counsellor.

She is manager of Diabetes Ecucation Services for Western Health, the ADEA Credentialing Officer for Victoria, Board Member of Diabetes Australia - Vic and the author of 'Guide to Insulin Pump Therapy'.

Cheryl lives with type one diabetes, is the mother of two children with type one diabetes (now young adults), and grandmother to a 5 year old who was recently diagnosed.  She has been a regular participant in HypoActive's MegaSwim team.

Paulette Mifsud
B.A. (Psychology), G.D.A.C.P., M.A (App Sci).,  MAPS’s
Registered Practicing Psychologist
Founding Member, of the Australian Psychological Society, College of Sport Psychology

Paulette is Director of Sports and Performance Consultancy "Mental Potential" and has been working in sports and performance Psychology since the mid 1980’s. She holds a teaching position at the University of Melbourne, Faculty of Victorian College of the Arts and Music, and has consulting experience across elite sports people from professionals to Olympians and national teams. In the performing arts, clients range from Australian Ballet, Musicals, Opera Australia and VSO. Paulette’s work extends to personal coaching and counselling for high potential people from all walks of life. 

Monique Hanley
President, HypoActive

Monique was a founding member of HypoActive and continues on in her role as President of the Community Network support group.  In 2007 she won the Diabetes Exercise and Sport Association (DESA) international award for Athletic Achievement. 

Monique was diagnosed with type one diabetes at 19 while in the midst of an elite basketball career with Dandenong Rangers.  As she graduated from University she moved away from basketball and exercise where she discovered weight gains and health issues from the lack of activity.  An exasperated endo told her, 'you are just one of those people who have to exercise every day.  For the rest of your life'.  It was a life changing moment and from here Monique took up cycling, at first riding for fun but eventually moving into challenges such as crossing Canada (7,800km in 66 days) and around France following the Tour on her own and carrying her tent, sleeping bag and diabetes supplies (2,700km in 23 days).  From here she began racing on both the road and track.  In 2007 she was a multiple State Champion and represented Victoria at the National Track Championships, before an invitation to race for Team Type 1 took her to the US.  For the past three years she has raced each Australian winter for Team Type 1 in the US, either supporting teammates or featuring herself on podiums in National-level races and speaking to a wide variety of audiences across the US.  She was also the only female member of the Team Type 1 Race Across America teams in 2007 and 2008 which involved racing non-stop from one side of the US to the other.

In 2009 a bike crash while racing in Tulsa, Oklahoma, left her with major injuries.  A complicated recovery from surgery and secondary issues delayed her return to full fitness, but the fire remains to return to racing once again in 2010.

Gavin Wright
Type 1 diabetic
Cyclist
Writer

In 2002, when Gavin had had type 1 diabetes for 38 years, he cycled solo over the Annamite Mountains in Indochina.
His key message at this point was, ‘Diabetes didn’t stop me.’
Spurred on by this adventure, Gavin crossed the Andes in 2005, cycling up over the highest surfaced road in the world and out into the Amazon jungle.
Although this was an achievement in itself, Gavin learnt through his long, tough training schedule that he was able to manage his diabetes far better when regularly exercising.
And he hasn’t stopped.
In 2009 Gavin led a team of cyclists up Ojos del Salado in northern Chile (the highest volcano on earth) in an attempt to set the world record for cycling from sea level to high altitude. The team reached 5,400m (higher than Everest base camp) before being stopped by hostile conditions and soft sand.
Although he loves his bicycling adventures, Gavin has become dedicated to spreading the word about his experience of the benefits of exercise for diabetics. His current byword is ‘Exercise – the next best thing to a cure.’
Gavin has been a community worker, a filmmaker and a chef. He now lives for his writing, his three children and beautiful wife, and his cycling in the hinterlands of southeast Queensland.
He brings to AcT1vate a colourful, motivating illustration of the many benefits of exercise for diabetics.
 
Daniel Seller
B.Physio (Hons)
Vice-President, HypoActive
 
Daniel has been involved with HypoActive since its inception – as Treasurer until 2009, and Vice-President since 2008. Daniel has taken part in a number of HypoActive events – including the Murray to Moyne Cycle Relay, the Red Cross Murray Marathon, the MS MegaSwim, and Run for the Kids. He also completed the Melbourne Marathon in 2009.
 
For the past four years, Daniel has worked as a volunteer leader on the Diabetes Camps Victoria program, with children aged between 8 and 14 with type 1 diabetes – where the emphasis is on the encouraging the campers to be active. Campers also learn about managing their diabetes so that they can do whatever they want to do – and about not letting their diabetes manage them.
 
Daniel works as the Senior Clinician Physiotherapist in the Intensive Care Unit at St Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne. In 2008 he was awarded the SERV award for his community service for those with type 1 diabetes, for his work with HypoActive and on the Diabetes Camps Victoria programs – the SERV award is given by St Vincent’s to an employee who “Serves Externally, Recognising the Values of St Vincent’s”. Daniel has presented on physiotherapy topics at the Australian Physiotherapy Association National Conference, and in 2009 received a DHS Travel Scholarship to investigate the use of high-fidelity simulation training in physiotherapy education at Grand Valley State University (Michigan, USA).  His background is ideal for the development of future exercise and diabetes-related research for HypoActive.