Sam Suke
Principal & Physiotherapist
🎓 APA-Titled (Musc.) M.Physio B.Physio(Hons) MACP APAM
🇦🇺 Australian Physiotherapist of the Year
🇩🇰 Authorised Dansk Fysioterapeut
🔍 Searching for the World’s Best Physio
📚 Registrar, The Australian College of Physiotherapists
🏆 Sam has been awarded…🏆
2024 Finalist in Australian Physiotherapist of the Year
• 2022 Australian Physiotherapist of the Year
• 2022 Australian Allied Health Educator of the Year
• 2023 Australian Allied Health Leadership & Management Excellence
• 2023 Community Service Award from Yarra Ranges Council
🏆 Sam founded Exercise Thought who has been awarded… 🏆
• 2023 Australian Physiotherapy Practice of the Year
• 2023 Most Client-Centred Physiotherapy Provider Victoria
• 2022 Victorian Physiotherapy Clinic of the Year
• 2021 Victoria Best Private Physiotherapy Provider
At 15, I knew I wanted to be a physiotherapist. At 17, the school year book said I would manage a physiotherapy practice. But I didn't just want to treat injuries; I wanted to change how we think about movement, pain, and recovery.
Today, I am the Principal and Founder of Exercise Thought (Australian Physiotherapy Practice of the Year 2023) and was humbled to be named Australian Physiotherapist of the Year (2022).
What I do: 🏆 For Clients: I don't treat bodies; I treat people. My postgraduate research on the 'power of words and expectations shapes how we empower clients to overcome pain and injury 🎓 For The Profession: Having supervised hundreds of Australian, Danish and Swedish Universities physiotherapy, I am committed to raising the standard of physiotherapy education. 🌍 For The World: I seek the #worldsbestphysio and to translate their habits into local practices. From being an assistant physiotherapist at the Western Bulldogs (inc. 2016 Triple-Premiership Season) to co-treating with the physiotherapist who serves the Danish Royal Family, to shadowing the physiotherapist to the dominant Chinese Table Tennis team and studying history's most notable physical therapists, I am defining what it means to be world class and predicting that the #worldsbestphysio will be AI-enhanced unless human physiotherapists live up to their full potential. You'll find videos with #worldsbestphysio nominees on Exercise Thought's Youtube channel. Now, that's enough hash-tagging.
A Conservative Cowboy: Those who know me closely will say I hold a number of conservative attitudes, but I can also be a bit of a larrikin. I believe in a 'cowboy' spirit of bold thinking moderated by a love of tradition. This mindset was forged not just in the clinic, but while hanging out of helicopters as a Westpac Rescue Swimmer and touring Russian hospitals as a humanitarian clown where a balance of risk and reward is ever present and where the logic behind our actions is often less obvious than first impressions suggest.
Get in touch to nerd-out on the future of physiotherapy, suggest a public speaking gig or share a joke.
You can see Sam for consultations and classes both in-person & online.
Sam is awarded Australian Physiotherapist of the Year 2022
This is an amazing achievement and well deserved.
Sam is nominated for Australian Physiotherapist of the Year 2024
This is an amazing achievement and well deserved.
Titled membership - 2021
Sam has a new piece of paper! The Australian Physiotherapy Association bestowed Sam with the award of “Titled Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy” and welcomed him into the Royal Australian College of Physiotherapists. Only 8% of Australian physiotherapists have “Titling.”
M.Physio (Musculoskeletal -2020)
In 2020, Sam completed postgraduate studies that place him in the top 8% of Australian physiotherapists. Sam’s minor thesis in this postgraduate degree studies the effect that a physiotherapist’s words have on a person’s pain and performance.
B.Physio(Hon) PGCert - 2014
Sam obtained his undergraduate physiotherapy degree at Monash University and wrote an Honour thesis on use of isometric exercise for treating tendon pain.
Knee Osteoarthritis Certification
Centre for Health, Exercise and Sports Medicine has reworded Sam with the specialisation in Knee Osteoarthritis. Read about Noisy knees and ACL Recovery here.
Sam has made it to the finalist for the Allied Health Physiotherapist of the year award.
This is an amazing achievement and well deserved.
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![Physiotherapy treatment room Lilydale]()
Physiotherapy
Exercise Thought in Lilydale delivers award-winning physiotherapy. Each physio offers personalised hands-on care, education and exercise to achieve client outcomes.
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![Osteopathy Lilydale]()
Osteopathy
Osteopathy often focuses more on manual therapy and manipulation (cracking) compared to physiotherapy which also uses hands-on techniques. Both emphasis education and exercise for long-term results.
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![Physio Lilydale clincal pilates on reformer]()
Clinical Pilates
Exercise Thought provides the most intimate and personalised pilates in Lilydale. Our physiotherapists work 3-on-1 with clients to prescribe, monitor & progress each exercise in-line with individual client goals and symptoms.
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![Exercise Physiology Lilydale]()
Exercise Physiology
Our private and small group Exercise Physiology services help you to create and maintain a healthy, sustainable lifestyle whilst achieving your goals in a supported environment.
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![Physio Lilydale dry needling client as treatment]()
Dry Needling
Each physio who provides dry needling has completed specialised training to ensure the safe and effective use of dry needling to relieve trigger points, muscle tightness and pain.
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![Physio Lilydale Women's Health postnatal and prenatal]()
Women's & Pelvic Health
We are lucky to have a physiotherapy with a special interest in women’s and pelvic health. Pre- and post-natal physiotherapy, pelvic floor retraining and more.
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![Physio Lilydale sports injury assessment]()
Sports Physiotherapy
Our physiotherapists routinely help clients across a range of sports. Football, soccer, basketball, CrossFit, netball and more. We have strong partnership with several local clubs.
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![Physio Lilydale giving massage in treatment room]()
Massage
Remedial, trigger point, deep tissue & sports massage are all available in Lilydale. Physiotherapy students and Interns gain experience while providing affordable treatments under supervision.
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![Exercise Physiologist Lilydale Molli Unusu]()
Molli Unusu
EXERISE PHYSIOLOGIST
With a passion for creating healthy, sustainable lifestyles through education and exercise, Molli helps people to ‘move into the impossible.’ Molli works with people of all ages and abilities.
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![Dr Mitchell Dielemans Osteopath Lilydale]()
Dr Mitchell Dielemans
OSTEOPATH
Mitch’s holistic approach to treatment includes manual therapy, education, manipulation (cracking) and exercise rehabilitation. Mitch also has a passion for sports.
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![Rachel_Physio in Lilydale]()
Rachel Ewart
SENIOR PHYSIOTHERAPIST
Rachel has over 23 years of clinical practice and leads the education of our students. Rach enjoys using pilates and dry needling to help clients. Rach also adores cats.
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![Sean McDaid_PHYSIO LILYDALE]()
Sean McDaid
PHYSIOTHERAPIST (graduates in 2024)
Sean completed a 2-year internship at Exercise Thought & manages injuries at a local footy club. Sean is available now for massage treatments & begins physio work in 2024.
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![Sam Suke_Physio in Lilydale]()
Sam Suke
PRINCIPAL PHYSIOTHERPIST
Sam founded Exercise Thought and it has never felt like work. In 2022, he was awarded Australian Physiotherapist of the Year and learned how to unicycle.
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![Sean Frost_Physio in Lilydale]()
Sean Frost
FUTURE PHYSIO & CONCIERGE
Sean will graduate from Exercise Sports Science in 2024. Sean is also a well-loved coach and Personal Trainer at Genesis in Lilydale. He lifts heavy things and love anime.
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![Christina Gregersen_Physio in Lilydale]()
Dr Christina Gregersen PhD
STRATEGY & MARKETING
Chris holds a PhD in consumer psychology, two business degrees and helps Exercise Thought with her skills as a strategy consultant for global companies. Chris is also enjoys pilates, hiking and wild animals.
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![Kirilly Galletti]()
Kirilly Galletti
FUTURE PHYSIO & CONCIERGE
Kirilly will graduate from physiotherapy in 2026. You can meet her at the concierge desk and out and about in the community where she does strategy work for exercise thought.
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![Young man with light brown hair smiling, wearing a light blue button-up shirt with his arms crossed, standing indoors in front of a dark wall and some green plants.]()
Patrick Cousins
CONCIERGE
