John Contreras

APA Sports & Exercise Physiotherapist | Strength & Conditioning Coach | Pilates Educator

B.Physio (Hons) | B.Sc | M.Sports Physio |M.ExSci (Strength & Conditioning)

From The Pitfalls I Faced, To The Tools You Need

I remember the uncertainty. Fresh out of university, confident in my anatomy knowledge but uncertain about how to actually get patients to do the exercises I prescribed. It was unclear how to bridge the gap between the evidence and the real human sitting in front of me. Working with patients who had their own beliefs, fears, and motivations was a tricky path to navigate.

Twenty-four years, I'm still learning. But I've figured out a few things that work.

I'm John Contreras, an APA Sports & Exercise Physiotherapist based in Melbourne, and I've spent over two decades combining Physiotherapy, Strength & Conditioning, and Pilates to help patients build genuine, lasting relationships with exercise. More recently, I've dedicated myself to helping other physiotherapists avoid the challenges I faced and deliver exercise prescription with confidence.

My Journey

  • I graduated from The University of Melbourne in 2001 as a Physiotherapist, excited about the profession but quickly realising that prescribing exercises and getting patients to actually complete them were two very different skills.

  • Seeking answers, I pursued a Master of Exercise Science (Strength & Conditioning) from Edith Cowan University in 2011 and a Master of Sports Physiotherapy from La Trobe University in 2016. I also spent 6 years teaching Physiotherapy-based Pilates, and becoming a Master Trainer with the Australian Physiotherapy & Pilates Institute (APPI) in London and Australia, leading Pilates based training to Physiotherapists and health professionals.

  • Through my clinical work, delivering exercise based workshops to health professionals and working with sporting organisations in football (soccer), AFL, cricket, combat sports, athletics and triathlon, I learned that the magic wasn't in any single discipline. It was in knowing when to use what, and more importantly, how to guide patients through behaviour change.

  • In 2012, I launched Resistance Training Rehabilitation (RTR) to share this integrated exercise therapy approach combining sports Physiotherapy, strength training and Pilates training. I’ve delivered workshop to other health professionals across Australia, the UK, Europe, Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Brazil, and the USA. In 2023, I rebranded to John Contreras Physio, a reflection that what I teach isn't just textbook science, but the real-life approach of an experienced clinician who's made mistakes, learned from them, and found what actually works in the gym and clinic.

  • Today, my practice is grounded in continuous reflection and learning. I read, I question, I learn from colleagues and mentors, and I constantly ask myself two questions: How does this help patients understand their clinical journey? and How does this make our work more fulfilling? I believe our profession should evolve and improve with every patient interaction, every conversation with colleagues, and every piece of research we digest. I don't have all the answers, but I am committed to asking better questions and sharing what I discover along the way.

    I currently consult from Physiosports Brighton in Melbourne.

My Philosophy, Treat Humans Not Injuries

My Clinical Approach

  • My clinical approach combines three distinct but complementary frameworks. This isn't about being a jack of all trades. It's about having the right tool for the right moment in each patient's journey, from acute injury through to high performance.

  • Understanding injury pathology, tissue healing, pain science, and clinical reasoning to make safe, effective decisions

  • Applying progressive overload, periodisation and athletic development concepts to build resilience and physical performance

  • Teaching movement awareness, coordination, and confidence to bridge from injury rehabilitation towards physical performance.

Whether my patient is 15 or 75, my clinical focus is the same. Helping them progress from "injured" to "active’, and building a new, positive relationship with exercise and movement that extends far beyond our time together as patient and clinician.

Success In Physiotherapy

To me, clinical success isn’t measured in pain scales or range of motion. It’s measured by:

  • The patient who starts an active lifestyle for the first time in years, discovering that movement can be enjoyable, not just therapeutic.

  • The patient who returns to activity and sport stronger and more resilient than pre-injury, using setbacks as opportunities to rebuild better foundations.

  • The patient who discovers that an injury isn’t an ending but an opportunity and can take ownership of their recovery journey.

Helping You Enjoy Your Clinical Work

If you're a physiotherapist, especially a young graduate, you're likely facing some of the same questions I did:

These are the questions that motivated me to create the Exercise Prescription Essentials, Strength Training Essentials and Pilates Training Essentials courses. Delivered in a format that can be immediately applied to your practice, these courses provide clinicians with the practical frameworks and clinical confidence that took me years to develop.

Values That Guide Everything

  • Everyone has their own challenges, visible and invisible. Our patients trust us with their bodies and their hopes for recovery. That's a responsibility I never take lightly.

  • I'm genuinely grateful for every opportunity to help others live a more active lifestyle. This profession is a privilege, and I try to approach it with that mindset every single day

Beyond The Clinic

In 2020, I founded The Physio Social Club to create a community for physiotherapists, health, and fitness professionals to connect, socialise, and discuss various aspects of our industry and personal development. Because this work can be isolating, and we're all better when we learn together.

Learn More about The Physio Social Club

Work With Me

  • Join the Exercise Prescription Essentials, Strength Training Essentials and/or Pilates Training Essentials workshop to learn the frameworks I wish I'd had when I started. Get practical tools, clinical guidelines, and the confidence to lead patients from injury through to physical performance.

  • I'm currently accepting clients at Physiosports Brighton for injury management, gym-based and Pilates-based rehabilitation, athletic development and return to activity programs. If you're looking to build a genuine, lasting relationship with exercise, not just recover from injury, let's work together.

  • I deliver workshops in Australia and internationally on exercise prescription, combining Physiotherapy, Strength & Conditioning, and Pilates principles. If you're looking for evidence-based, practical training for your team, let's talk.

The journey from injury to performance doesn't have to be complicated. But it's easier with experienced support, practical frameworks, and guidance that meets you where you are and helps you navigate your unique path forward. That's what I'm here to provide. Whether you're a physiotherapist building your practice or a patient building your relationship with movement.