“Physical Education for All” is the cornerstone of Heartwell Fitness. We pride ourselves on our commitment to inclusive, accessible health and fitness programs for everybody.
PHILOSOPHY
Established in 1991, Heartwell Fitness has stood the test of time.
Over almost three decades, we have worked with hundreds of people, ranging in age from four to more than seventy years old, helping to improve their fitness, motor skills, body image, confidence and overall health.
Our clients may have diverse needs and goals, but our philosophy has remained the same: Physical Education plays an essential long-term role for everybody, regardless of level of function, ability or disability.
We are dedicated to equipping our clients with the skills and knowledge to make positive lifestyle changes and feel in charge of their physical well-being.
“One of the special things about what we do is the diversity of the people with whom we get to work with.”
The most rewarding part of Heartwell Fitness is the interactions, and subsequent relationships, with our clients. We have worked with a huge variety of people, from corporate groups and elite athletes to those with very serious illnesses and injuries. With them, comes a multitude of goals, challenges and personalities. Our passion for an active life and self-empowerment bridges these differences, and is only strengthened through diversity.
A motor skills program for an eight year old, an aquatic rehabilitation program for a TAC client with quadriplegia, or a group fitness program for older adults, all have a distinctly specific focus. But the mutual factor is a need for goal-based activity and education. Our inclusive programs serve an important role in the community, and we hope that our Physical Education for All philosophy continues to integrate into the mainstream conscience of fitness and health.
THE HEARTWELL FOUNDERS
JULIENNE ESPENSCHIED
Director and co-founder of the Heartwell Foundation.
Julienne has worked in the field of education for the last thirty years. Upon graduating with a Bachelor Degree in Applied Science, majoring in Physical Education, Julienne worked extensively overseas in the area of special education.
Returning to Australia, Julienne commenced work in education institutions. During that time she worked with many children whom were being integrated into mainstream schools. It was there she encountered first hand how difficult it was for those children to fully participate in the curriculum, and how difficult it also was for the staff endeavouring to provide an inclusive program.
A real interest and passion in the area of disability coupled with her strong belief in the value of sound physical education, led her and partner Scott Taylor, to establish the Heartwell Fitness organisation.
SCOTT TAYLOR
Director and co-founder of the Heartwell Foundation.
Scott graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Applied Science majoring in physical education. After obtaining his degree, Scott worked within a variety of settings in the health and fitness field. Â Some of these included the executive health and fitness arena, specialist advisor within professional sports teams, including the AFL and NBL, private coaching of elite athletes, along with teaching in various secondary schools in Melbourne.
It was while working with a variety of students who presented with various special needs in the mainstream school setting that the impetus for Heartwell Fitness was born. Â Scott discovered his real passion when he witnessed first hand how disadvantaged these students were when trying to access quality physical education.
Thirty years on, Heartwell Fitness continues to work diligently to address this inadequacy for people with different levels of ability.