Our Team

Belinda Johnson - Founder

FOUNDER & HEAD INSTRUCTOR | ALLIED HEALTH & REMEDIAL THERAPY

Fascia & Movement Specialist | Personal Trainer & Swim Coach

Wellness innovator and founder/owner/head instructor, Belinda Johnson established SMART Pilates based on her professional and individual sporting background and the enjoyment of helping others to be better versions of themselves.

Belinda is passionate about helping her clients improve their fitness and restore their body awareness.

As a lifelong athlete herself, performing at a professional level, she knows all too well how muscle tension, muscle recovery, soreness and injuries can affect our everyday life.

Her wellness journey began with her sporting involvement which naturally led her to the study of preventative and restorative measures to improve the body’s performance and recovery.

Belinda, as an allied health professional working nationally as a certified remedial massage therapist, boasts over 25 years of experience in helping to restore bodies that have endured sporting or work-related injuries. This added experience gives Belinda the ability to see clients’ bodies weaknesses, strengths or imbalances efficiently, allowing her to provide a full repertoire of measures to improve a client’s body physique through the instruction of Pilates.

Belinda’s instruction of Pilates has in mind a deep focus on each of her clients’ needs. Her constant evaluation of posture and movement patterns allows her to customise programs to suit each physique in her class, resulting in a finely tuned workout that focuses on lengthening, strengthening and alignment as well as fitness.

Her passion to provide a total wellness solution through the studio, an airy, bright custom-built studio built in 2020, creates a fitness boutique, bringing along the best in Pilates, rehabilitation solutions, fitness programs, to qualified nutrition, dietician and podiatry consultations and several other wellness solutions for her clients.

Certification & Training

Diploma of Remedial Massage
Level 1, Assisted Stretch
Studio Pilates Reformer Certificate
Studio Pilates Mat Work Certificate
Studio Pilates Ball, Band and Circle, Wunda Chair Certificate
Studio Pilates Cadillac & Small Ball Certificate
Studio Pilates Pregnancy Certificate
Barre Body - Yin Reformer
Level 1 Strength and conditioning
Provide First Aid, CPR.
Bronze Medallion - PUA20119 Certificate II in Public Safety (Aquatic Rescue)
Surf Life Saving Certificate of Surf Coaching

Ben Johnson

HEAD COACH | EXERCISE & SPORT SCIENCE GRADUATE

Human Performance | Strength & Movement | Swim & Sports Coach

Ben is an experienced coach and Exercise and Sport Science graduate from Charles Sturt University (CSU), combining academic knowledge with over 15 years of competitive sporting experience.

Having competed in triathlon, surf lifesaving, cycling and running, Ben has developed a strong passion for human performance, movement and helping individuals achieve their health, fitness and sporting goals.

Building on his foundation in exercise science, Ben will commence a Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology at Charles Sturt University in 2027, further developing his knowledge in clinical exercise prescription, rehabilitation, injury prevention and chronic disease management.

His coaching philosophy combines evidence-based exercise science with practical sporting experience, recognising the importance of strength and conditioning, endurance and cardiovascular fitness in improving performance, supporting recovery and promoting long-term health and wellbeing.

Whether working with beginners, recreational athletes or competitive performers, Ben takes an individualised approach to coaching, helping clients build strength, move better and achieve sustainable results.

Qualifications & Credentials

Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science – Charles Sturt University (CSU), 2026

Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology – Charles Sturt University (Commencing 2027)

Level 1 Triathlon Coach
Level 1 Strength & Conditioning
RLSSA Bronze Medallion
HLTAID011 – Provide First Aid
HLTAID010 – Provide Basic Emergency Life Support
HLTAID009 – Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
Surf Life Saving Certificate of Surf Coaching

15+ years of competitive experience in triathlon, cycling and running

SMART Coaching

For further information regarding Ben’s SMART Coaching services, beyond Strength and Conditioning go to: www.smartcoaching.net.au

Nicole Bann-Murray

CLINICAL PILATES INSTRUCTOR | ALLIED HEALTH – REMEDIAL MASSAGE

Nicole, a Port Macquarie local, sports enthusiast and former owner of the popular Peloton Espresso Bar, began her Pilates journey in 2020. With a lifelong passion for movement, Nicole has enjoyed cycling, running, swimming and triathlons, describing herself as an “active person rather than a competitor.

Having lived and worked overseas, completed a Bachelor of Business at UTS Sydney and instructed at various gyms, Nicole brings a wealth of life experience, energy and enthusiasm to her classes.

With a growing focus on Clinical and Remedial Massage, breathwork and functional movement, Nicole brings a deeper understanding of the body to her Pilates instruction. Her studies in massage and breathwork have enhanced her appreciation of muscular function, movement patterns, recovery and the important connection between breath and body. This knowledge complements her Pilates teaching, helping clients build strength, improve mobility and develop greater body awareness.

Nicole believes Pilates should extend well beyond the studio, supporting the way we move, feel and function in everyday life. Her classes combine purposeful movement, fitness and positive energy, leaving clients feeling grounded, confident and inspired.

Outside the studio, Nicole is a keen runner, cyclists and swimmer who loves travelling, paddleboarding and spending time with friends and family.

Qualifications & Credentials

Diploma of Professional Pilates Instruction
Bachelor of Business (UTS)
Studio Pilates Mat Work Certificate
Studio Pilates Reformer Certificate
Studio Pilates Small Ball Certificate
Studio Pilates Ball, Band and Circle Certificate
Diploma of Remedial Massage
Barre Body - Yin Reformer
Studio Pilates Reformer Progressions Certificate
Advanced Oxygen, Breath Work & Nasal Breathing Certificate
First Aid Certificate

Jill Mckern

CLINICAL PILATES INSTRUCTOR | NUTRITION & MOVEMENT

Jill's Pilates journey began in 2021 when she joined SMART Pilates as a client, looking to improve her posture, build strength and overcome injury. Inspired by the knowledgeable instructors and supportive studio community, her passion for Pilates grew, leading her to become a certified instructor in 2022.

With a strong Clinical Pilates background, Jill understands the importance of individualised movement, correct technique and exercise progression. Her approach focuses on improving posture, building strength and stability, supporting injury recovery and helping clients move with greater confidence. Jill believes that Pilates creates a body awareness that is essential to a healthier lifestyle.

A Port Macquarie local, Food Coach and experienced Pilates instructor, Jill brings a holistic approach to health and wellbeing, combining her knowledge of movement and nutrition with a genuine interest in each client's individual goals.

Jill's enthusiastic and effervescent personality brings energy, creativity and plenty of fun to her classes. Having experienced the benefits of Pilates firsthand, she loves helping clients discover the positive changes Pilates can make to their everyday lives.

When she's not teaching, Jill enjoys creating healthy snacks and smoothies, spending time with her family and, of course, practising Pilates!

Qualifications & Credentials

Diploma of Professional Pilates Instruction
Barre Body Mat Work Certificate
Barre Body - Yin Reformer
Tensegrity Group Reformer Pilates
Tensegrity Wunda Chair Pilates
Certificate of Nutrition
Certificate in Food as Medicine
Certificate in Disability Support
Professional Certificate in Food & Nutrition Coaching
Infection Control Skill Set Certificate
First Aid Certificate

Dione Edwards

PILATES INSTRUCTOR

Dione's Pilates journey began in 2023, when she walked into SMART Pilates looking to get moving again after surgery. What started as recovery quickly became something she fell in love with, both the movement itself and the warm, supportive community that makes SMART what it is. She trained as an instructor in 2025 and began teaching that December, and hasn't looked back since, continually building her skills and spending more and more time in the studio she adores.

Dione believes Pilates is for every body. Certified in Reformer and Matwork, and trained in intermediate and advanced progressions and programming, she tailors each class to meet clients where they are, building strength, control and confidence at every level.

Currently furthering her craft with Wunda Chair and Cadillac training, Dione is passionate about continuing to grow her knowledge and skills. With a Certificate in Advanced Nutrition, she also brings a whole-person approach to movement and wellbeing.

Alongside her teaching, Dione supports the day-to-day administration of the studio, helping things run smoothly behind the scenes.

A Port Macquarie local since 2006, Dione has long been part of the community through the Port Macquarie Surf Club and Relay for Life.

When she's not in the studio, Dione loves walking on the beach and exploring our beautiful area with her husband and enjoys watching netball and F1.