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Meet The FitterFaster Team

Trish Bell

When Trish started at FitterFaster, she described herself as 45, fat and depressed.   After transforming her own mind and body, Trish stepped up to coach for us to help others transform their lives.  Feedback from new clients about the way Trish helps them to fit in is amazing.  From explaining and demonstrating exercises, to holding babies and encouraging, often all at once, Trish is fantastic at helping new people feel welcome and supported.

  • Kids/family: Ashleigh, Emily, Patrick, Annabel and Isabel and Coral - Yes, that's 6 kids!!
  • Pets: Dolly and Danny (Boxers), Rosie (Galah)
  • Fav. Movie: Shawshank Redemption
  • Fav. music/artist/band: Queen/Maroon 5
  • Fav. food healthy and treat: Balsamic Steak Salad is my favourite FF meal and pizza is a weakness
  • Hobbies: Horse Racing (playing the Quaddie on a Saturday)
  • Best Day ever would be: Doing anything with all my kids
  • Other job: Kitchen bitch at the Harness Racing


I first started at FitterFaster when I was 45 years old.  I was terrified I'd be yelled at - afterall it was called Bootcamp

I started coaching 2 years after I started (so 5 years ago), because Jo had faith in me.

  • What you love about FF:  Everyone is so encouraging and supportive and we always laugh.
  • Favourite Drill/exercises: swiss ball roll outs
  • Least Favs Heavy Thrusters
  • What you have achieved at FF:  I'm stronger than I ever was and my moods are more even
  • Goals - health and fitness and other  to keep eating well and training hard
  • Pet hates: incorrect spelling and grammar

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 for nearly 25 years
  • Pets - Olivia has 2 guinea pigs named Leonard and Michael, and some chooks
  • Fav Drill - Up Downers or Burpees
  • Least Fav - Heavy Thrusters
  • Fav Movie - Monsters Inc
  • Hobbies - fitness (duh) reading, gardening, cooking, writing, spending time with my family
  • Fav food - roast lamb or pork and salads
  • 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 of kids 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.  Not bad for someone who prior to getting married knew pretty much nothing about any sport at all.

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.

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

Caitlin Butler

I  

Coming ............

Caitlin Butler

Amanda Parkinson

Amanda is our resident organisational guru.  She loves to have everything in order and lined up perfectly.  Her enthusiasm for health and fitness is infectious and she inspires everyone with her can do attitude and her commitment to her own training and nutrition.  Ever reliable, Amanda is equally at home teaching new exercises to new clients or pushing our most advanced clients at the other end.

  • Kids/Family: No Kids, Fiancé Steven
  • Pets: 2 dogs, Axel and Ned
  • Fave Movie: I am Sam and The Hurricane
  • Fave Music: Any!
  • Fave Food Healthy: Roast Veggies and Nourish Bowls
  • Fave Treat: Halloumi and Red Snakes
  • Hobbies: Aside from Training, Netball/Umpiring/Coaching
  • Best day ever would be: Walking the streets of Italy
  • Other Job: Accounts/Book Keeper at MTS and S Dell Plumbing
  • Pet Hates: Loud chewing and whistling!    Oh and some fellow gym buddies would say not having things lined up and in order!!

My health and fitness goals are to maintain my body fat % to under 15% and keep working on my level of fitness and  to Walk the Kokoda Trail

I started coaching at FitterFaster in April 2018. I was hesitant at first to take on coaching, but I knew I had a lot to offer other people in my situation with their goals. 

I have ‘been there and done that’ with weight and yo-yo dieting. Since starting at here I've reduced my own body fat from 29% to under 14%.  I was in a rut with my training and nutrition and needed someone to motivate me to push myself to the next level.

I have finally found what works for me and am willing to share my experience with others and be genuinely happy to celebrate their successes and be there to help them get back on the wagon if they too fall off.  

I love the atmosphere at FitterFaster! I love training alongside clients, the environment and the variety of each session. And I love Challenge Week.

Barry Smith

Barry started training with us in November 2016 and has fitted right in as one of the most likeable and 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.  How ever 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.