OUR ETHOS
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FIGHT-LIFT-MOVE
- The human body evolved through the expression of three key activities:
- We fought with each other and other animals for safety, food, and survival… We lifted objects of varied size and shape and shifted them across uneven terrain… We moved constantly, through, under, and over an ever-changing landscape.
- Uncomfortably challenged on a daily basis and almost always in organized groups, these were the physical qualities that our environment demanded of us…
- This is where our FIGHT, LIFT, MOVE philosophy was born.
THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY
HABITAT
- Our gym is a thoughtfully designed open-plan training space. It features three different training surfaces, a suspended rig, and a fully equipped equipment package that caters to a range of classes on offer.
- Our space is ever-evolving and will continue to stimulate and challenge the humans that evolve in it.
Quality Coaching and Service
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PAVOL SADECKY
Pavol started his sports journey in Slovakia at the age of 6 where he was exposed to Freestyle Wrestling. His sport quickly became his biggest passion in life as he was a very motivated kid. By the age of 10 he was selected to attend a Sport Specific High School and competed in the youth division at both National level in Slovakia and International level around Europe.
After graduating high school he moved to Australia where he continued to develop his education as a coach and personal trainer at ACSF. During this time he was exposed to BJJ, boxing, kickboxing, and MMA and trained and competed in the MMA space. His training off the mats included olympic lifting, powerlifting and crossfit style training.
After all the injuries caused by contact sport he decided to take a break from martial arts and focus on gymnastics and bodyweight strength training, functional training with kettlebells, barbell training as well as movement and mobility based training.
He loves to challenge himself with anything physical, so don’t get surprised if you see him get busy with running training, ocean swimming, biking, surfing, climbing or any other activity within his reach. Being surrounded with like-minded people, building community and helping people feel more energised and reach their sport and fitness goals, puts a huge smile on his face and makes him excited to wake up early from the bed each morning.
- Graduated Sport High School ( Olympic Wrestling Program )
- Cert III, Cert IV of Sport and Fitness at ACSF Australian College of Sport and Fitness Sydney
- Diploma of Sport and Fitness at ACSF Sydney
- Cert IV Massage therapy at NSW School of Massage
TEORA WARD
Profile
I get my kicks out of coaching beginners, coaching coaches, redesigning the gym and introducing new members to the JB way.
I spend my spare time bodyweight training, having a lift, sparring, practicing beginner level aerial acrobatics, and being an energetic, enthusiastic injury free dad.
- Programmer and designer of Fight Factory, Lift and JB’s Bodyweight System.
- Co-founder and CEO of the Jungle Alliance, Director of Jungle Ballina.
DAMIEN COOPER
Profile
A local to the area, I grew up a highly active kid with an unrelenting drive to move my body.
I always wanted to feel agile, adaptable and strong.I found my way into this holistic style of practice during my study to become an Osteopath which I completed in 2018. It was the realisation through my education that our body’s don’t solely function in the linear ways that we are commonly taught and being inspired by
acrobats, gymnasts, martial arts practiced in innately knew this was the case.This inquiry led me to relocate to Newcastle where I studied, practiced and taught all thingsmovement, osteopathy and injury rehabilitation between 2018 and 2022 at The Movement
Collective. This period of time was very formative for my own experience practicing learning from a handful of Australia’s best teachers including Rod Cooper, online with coaches such as Harry Williams and Jackson Lennan.
Early in 2022, I returned to the Northern Rivers to be closer to my family and become a part of what is now Jungle Ballina, Climbing Jungle and now Jungle Cabarita Beach. I love guiding beginner to intermediate levels in gymnastic rings, hand-balancing, mobility,
weight lifting and body awareness. I also practice and believe in the integration of
awareness and breathing practices as a fundamental building block for basic and optimised health. An idea consolidated by my course in 2022 as Yoga teacher.Whilst it seems we see physically is the goal of the practice, as I’ve developed throughexperience and many mistakes and injuries, I’ve come to realise that the way we approach
our physicality (the most tangible facet of our existence) is the true purpose of it all. Training is a vehicle for development of the entire human mind, body and sole and itcultivates important traits including discipline, patience and self care.
Experience/Qualifications
- Bachelor Of Clinical Science (majoring in human structure and function)
- Masters of Osteopathic Medicine at Southern Cross University
- 200 Hour YTT
- Over 12 years experience as a practitioner in fitness industry
- 6 years specifically training gymnastics rings strength, handstands
- Mobility and bodyweight practice
JO TAYLOR
Profile
Female Strength Coach
Online/Hybrid/Face-To-Face
I was always really active growing up, mainly in skiing, dance, and gymnastics. I started lifting weights in my late teens and for the past 14 years, I have trained in a variety of different strength modalities, most recently in Olympic Weightlifting. Three years ago I decided to follow my passion for training and teaching and pursue a career in the fitness industry. Since then, I haven’t looked back and I have worked as a coach in multiple Sydney gyms and online. In the past year I started focusing on female-specific strength and nutrition.
I help women get strong and optimise their health by using sustainable training and nutrition practices that align with your unique physiology. It is my mission to create strong and resilient bodies and to equip women with the knowledge to continue training in the long run. You will learn nutritional foundations and habits to support your training and your health.
You can improve your confidence, body composition, and overall health through strength training. My clients work with me to get stronger than ever, build solid foundations and sound technical understanding, eat to thrive, and leave diet mentality and poor body image behind.
I work with women in the peri and postmenopause stage of their lives as they navigate the big changes this has brought to their body composition. You will discover how to train effectively, learn powerful nutritional habits that actually support you, and see results at a time where hormonal fluctuations are having a big effect on your body.
I train women throughout pregnancy and postpartum. Pregnancy is one of the biggest changes a woman will go through and being strong will prepare you in the best way possible and support you in the postpartum period of rebuilding.
A strong body is so vital to navigate all these big changes women experience in life.
To learn more about Jo, check out her website: www.coachjotaylor.com.au
Experience/Qualifications
- Certificate III & IV in Fitness
- Dr. Sims Women Are Not Small Men Certification
- Pre & Postnatal Coaching Certification
- AWF State Weightlifting/Sports Power Coach Level 1
- 14 years strength training experience
- 8 years competitive Olympic Weightlifting experience
- NZSIA Level 1 Ski Instructor
- First Aid & CPR Certified
ALEX GARDINER
Profile
Alex is one of our resident Exercise Physiology students and believes whole-heartedly that fitness belongs to everybody, not just ‘fit people’. After training with Jungle Botany for nearly 5 years she joins us in Ballina with a strong belief in the Jungle ethos.
Alex came to coaching after personally experiencing the dark side of the fitness industry – exercise addiction, overtraining, disordered eating behaviours and resultant injury rehabilitation. These experiences have fuelled Alex’s desire to improve service delivery within the sector. She believes education is key and empowers people to achieve their goals both in and outside of the gym.
Alex has experience in a variety of sports including squad swimming, amateur boxing and long distance running but her one true love is getting strong. Alex focuses on realistic approaches to wellness and will be the first one to high-five you after a personal win. Alex’s current passion project is the impact of physical activity on mental well-being and as a tool for the treatment of mental health conditions. She believes nothing exists in isolation, and approaches health from a big-picture perspective.
MARDI SCHULZ
Profile
Mardi grew up in a family-owned gym in Alice Springs and then went on to open her own PT studio. On the side, she would coach CrossFit and work with various footy teams as a sports medicine trainer and strength and conditioning coach. She packed everything up and left her hometown in search of some water and a different lifestyle.
From there, she moved to the coast, worked as a personal trainer and started pursuing a more holistic approach to life and training. Completing both Vinyasa and Yin yoga teacher training, a variety of breathwork courses, for example, Oxygen Advantage and The Buteyko Method. Then completed a Diploma in Life Coaching.
She always loves learning new things and is now currently undertaking full-time study to be an Osteopath. When she isn’t studying, you’ll find her most likely training, reading, climbing or attempting to surf.
Mardi is a big believer in a holistic approach in all things movement, breathwork, mindset, sleep and nutrition.
Experience/Qualifications
- Cert 3 & 4 in Fitness
- Level 2 CrossFit Coach
- Level 1 ASCA SNC coach
- 200hr Vinyasa Teacher Training
- Oxygen Advantage and Buteyko breathwork coach
- Diploma in Life Coaching
- Currently studying to be an Osteopath