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Meet The FitterFaster Team

Jo Butler

I started FitterFaster in 2008 after taking up fitness for the first time in my life at the age of 34.  I know first hand what it is like to go from diet to diet and start exercise programs without success.  But now I know exactly how to get awesome results and how to keep them and really enjoy showing and helping others to learn the same and put it into practice.  

  • Kids - Caitlin , Ben, Lauren, Harrison and Olivia 
  • Hubby - Happily married to Greg since 1995
  • Pets - I am currently bottle feeding twin lambs and have chooks too 
  • Fav Drills - Any kind of lunges and Burpees/Get Ups
  • Least Fav - Heavy Thrusters
  • Fav Movies - Monsters Inc, Despicable Me and the whole Harry Potter series
  • Hobbies - fitness (duh), reading, gardening, cooking, writing, spending time with my family
  • Fav food - roast lamb or pork and loads of veggies
  • Treat food - I love vanilla ice cream and plain Cadbury chocolate

My favourite thing ever is to spend time with my family.  They're a really busy bunch who have taken part in  lots of sports and since having them I've qualified as a gymnastics coach, swim teacher, triathlon and running coach and have coached soccer, football, basketball and cross country running coaching to my resume.  Not bad for someone who prior to getting married knew pretty much nothing about any sport at all and had never tried anything myself.

I never thought that FitterFaster would continue to grow like it has.  But I'm so glad I started.  Helping people change not just their bodies but their whole lives is the most amazing thing and so rewarding

The best thing ever is seeing people change their outlook on everything, not just their bodies.  That's why I keep doing this.  Seeing peoples lives literally change before my eyes is the absolute best.   It's amazing how changing your body is so much more than just 'changing your body'.

From a few friends asking me how to get into shape, to changing 100's of lives has been unreal.  I couldn't do it without the support of my family and the wonderful team of coaches featured on this page.

Caitlin Butler

Caitlin is my eldest daughter.   From a young age she was super organised and good at directing others (some may call that bossy).   This and her empathy for others made her an ideal choice for coaching people on their individual fitness journeys at FitterFaster 

Caitlin has been training with us from the very beginning.  She was the youngest person to start serious training at FitterFaster and still holds this title.   

Other job: swim school coordinator at MB Sports and Leisure Centre

Fave exercise: Dead Bugs

Least Favourite exercise: thrusters and mountain climbers

Fave music: country tunes

Fave food: roast lamb and veggies with mum's gravy

Hobbies: walking, hanging out with my friends, cooking, basketball, football

I started training with mum when she first started FitterFaster.  I used to get up before school and workout with all the clients.

My first coaching role was FitForce after school. I really enjoyed it and have coached early morning sessions and now run PeakFit on my morning off from my 'real' job.

I love catching up with my regular clients and especially enjoy their funny stories and their recipes.  

I also still enjoy training with everyone at Basecamp and at home with the 45Lives.

Caitlin Butler

Barry Smith

Barry started training with us in November 2016 and has fitted right in as one of the most inspirational people here.  While he clearly has an amazing fitness level, he's never in your face about it and instead encourages everyone else to do their absolute best at whatever level that may be - from total beginners to the most advanced and everywhere in between.  

  • Kids/fam. I have two sons Archie and Wil with my partner Tenille
  • Fav movie. Kill Bill/ Good Will Hunting
  • Fav Music. Any.  However rage against the Machine seems to motivate me.  Nutbush also gets me on the dance floor!
  • Fav food Healthy/treat. FitterFaster Butter chicken/. Pizza and beer.
  • Hobbies. Surfing, riding motorbikes and binge watching TV series
  • Best Day would be with friends and family on a warm beach playing and surfing in the water.
  • Other Jobs Arborist for the CGSC
  • Favourite drill/exercise.  I love a good “Chipper” ticking the reps off.
  • Least favourite.  Lunges... thrusters should be made illegal.

I started at FitterFaster in November 2016  Jo's always been at the Forefront of fitness in Maryborough.  I was introduced to her and her family at a function and said I’d be interested in trying Fitterfaster for a few sessions and I’ve never looked back.

I started coaching BoxOut in May 2019.  A position became available and I applied. I love the position as it’s a rewarding Job.  And seeing athletes push themselves motivates me to be my best.

I feel I’m in a really great place at Fitterfaster. Mentally and physically.  To me that’s the definition of fitness.  I also love the fact i can be involved in my boys adventures and sports in more ways than being on the sidelines observing.  My future goals are to age gracefully and enjoy my active lifestyle 

It’s nice to be around positive like minded people.  Everyone shows up does the work and has a laugh at FitterFaster.  It’s a great community.   The legacy Jo is creating has had a major impact on the health and habits on Maryborough as a whole and she should be very proud of what she’s created.

Pet Hates.  When people say they wished I was a little more mature.

Nick Weaver

As with all of our coaches, Nick started first as a client at FitterFaster before becoming part of our coaching team.

Nick is an inspiration to all clients, leading by example when training himself and being a great role model for men and women of all ages and stages.  Nick loves to challenge himself by taking part in all kinds of fitness challenges such as burpee challenges and 200+km bike rides usually to raise money for great causes.  You'll find Nick mostly coaching our FitForce classes, but taking part in all different kinds.   


  • Kids/family
  • Pets: 
  • Fav. Movie: 
  • Fav. music/artist/band: 
  • Fav. food healthy and treat: 
  • Hobbies: 
  • Best Day ever would be: 
  • Other job: 


  • What you love about FF:  
  • Favourite Drill/exercises: 
  • Least Favs 
  • Goals - 
  • Pet hates: 

I joined Fitter Faster because an opportunity came up for me and I took it, I needed something different and becoming a coach was what I wanted.  Im very passionate about my fitness and love doing crazy challenges and put my body to its limits sometimes for a great cause. I hope I inspire people in the smallest way and they inspire someone and they inspire someone and we have all become a better person than we were the day before. I’ve only been coaching for a small  period of time at Fitter Faster and the  coaches have been fantastic in welcoming me to Fitter Faster, but the clients have been amazing, patient, kind, respectful and funny and are always up for a laugh. So thank you to  Jo and her Team I’m super proud to be part of this awesome family of fit, healthy, living life and love what we are doing.

 

Bella Hoban

Bella has been a client at FitterFaster since 2019 with a few little breaks in between.   She has a really keen interest in fitness and has recently completed an amazing transformation of her own.    Bella fits in with the FitterFaster family amazingly well with one of our values being 'family', something Bella holds dear too.   Bella is taking on a coaching role this year (2024) and we really look forward to seeing her take this on.  We've had so much great feedback already!


  • Kids/family: I have 7 siblings and live with my partner Jordan.
  • Pets: I have a cat named Jax who I adopted from the pound and has won the hearts of many. I also have 3 sheep Barney, Buzz and Woody.
  • Fav Movie: World War Z
  • Fav. music/artist/band: Country, particularly Zac Bryan.
  • Fav. food healthy and treat: Steak and eggs and chocolate chip cookies 🤤 (particularly soft the kind).
  • Hobbies: horse riding, running and I have recently taken up gardening.
  • Best Day ever would be: surrounded by family and friends on an outdoor table under the sun just talking, laughing and enjoying each others company with some good food and good music.
  • Other job: Veterinary Nurse
  • What you love about FF: The people. Not only the coaching staff and Jo but the clients. I find everyone to be so kind, happy and inclusive. When I joined FitterFaster I was extremely nervous but being around such an inclusive and friendly group has helped me come a long way mentally as well as physically. I felt I belonged and was therefore able to be consistent in my health and fitness journey.
  • Favourite Drill/exercises: Hip thrusts and sprints
  • Least Favs  Thrusters!!
  • Goals - to be the strongest and most capable version of myself.
  • Pet hates: Complaining. Especially about the things we should be grateful for! Like exercising.


 

Janae Lanfranchi

Janae really is part of the family, having been part of mine since she was born.   As a coach at FitterFaster, she is organised and efficient, providing guidance and support to everyone in her training sessions while keeping them on track if needed as well 😉.  

Janae has a keen interest in fitness and is a regular participant in all classes being one of, if not the, strongest female in most of our groups.  Her coaching skills are amazing and we always get lots of great feedback from clients.

  • Family : I'm very close to my family.  I have a sister Caitlin and Murray is my partner of 7 years
  • Pets: 2 kelpie puppies; Wes and Lily plus 3 chooks and a pet lamb named Polly
  • Movie: I loved the new Top Gun movie
  • Fav. music/artist/band: any 90's music
  • Fav. food Sunday Lamb roast and a bit of chocolate
  • Hobbies: Fav sport is netball and I also love travelling around and going on walks
  • Best Day ever would be: Camping with family and friends anywhere warm
  • Other job: I work full time for Sludgebusters in the the office doing admin work
  • What you love about FF: Love the atmosphere, the support, the variety of classes and of course the people
  • Favourite Drill/exercises: DeadBugs
  • Least Favs  Thrusters
  • Goals - Improve fitness and get stronger
  • Pet hates: when TV is too loud

  

Amanda Parkinson

Another super organised coach and person, Amanda is a super valuable and loved member of our coaching team.  Again, she started as a client before taking up a regular coaching position in earlier years.   Amanda took a break for a few years when she almost due to have Lexi and remained on leave for the birth of second daughter Larni.   Now that the girls have grown a little, Amanda takes regular time to care for herself through fitness and to help us care for all our amazing clients by taking up coaching again.   We can always rely on Amanda to keep everyone focused, including me 😎 and she is a fantastic inspiration to all mums that meet her.


• Kids- Lexi and Larni

• Partner- Steven

• Pets - Labradoodle named Ned and some fish!

•Other jobs- Book keeper for our business S Dell Plumbing & Full time SAHM.

• Fav Drills - Cable RDLs

• Least Fav - Heavy Thrusters

• Fav Movies/Shows - These days I watch Bluey, Paw Patrol and Cocomelon!

• Hobbies - Netball, fitness, cooking, spending time with my family.

• Fave food - Chinese/Vietnamese

•Fave Treat food- Reece’s Peanut Butter Cups!

•Pet hates- Being disorganised, loud chewing & leaving the wet sponge in the bottom of the sink!

•Goals- To show my girls that Mums can do hard things and be the best version of myself I can be for them.

•Best day ever- Being surrounded by family and friends, sitting in the sunshine, listening to some good tunes and watching our little ones play.

  

Rachael Stubbings 

Rachael has recently started coaching as part of the FitterFaster team after training with us for almost a year.

She has a vast knowledge of fitness and is a keen footballer, winning a premiership with her team, Castlemaine this year (2024)   Originally Rachael joined to become more consistent with her own fitness and has certainly achieved that describing herself as fitter and leaner than she has ever been.   She is super keen to help others achieve their own goals and to keep them accountable without overtraining.  Rachael is a great advocate for training for strength and fitness to be better at your sport.

Fav movie: grown ups

Fav music: anything that pumps me up in the gym

Fav food/healthy treat: chicken Bahn mi or chicken schnitzel with gravy! 

Hobbies: running, playing footy and going to uni!

Other job: support worker

Best day ever: nice sunny day surrounded by the people who mean the most to me

Favourite exercise: funny enough burpees!’

Least favourite exercise: hip thrusts

Pet hat: people not putting their weights away after they have finished 

What I love about fitterfaster:

I only moved to Maryborough a year ago and as soon as I started coming to fitterfaster, I felt so welcomed and motivated to push myself.  

Everyone is so nice and supportive, both coaches, staff and members. It’s such a good environment to be in regardless of what stage you are in your health and fitness journey, and it’s set at different levels for everyone to make your goals achievable in the best way.


  

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