Management Team

Richard Chew
Founder of Elixr Health Clubs

Richard is the founder of Elixr and has set the direction of Elixr Pilates.

Richard's teaching experience extends back to his childhood. He started teaching adults Karate at the age of 14, competed with, and then coached the Australian Karate Team in the 80s, and was head coach of the Australian Aerobics Team in the 90s.

Richard brings his provocative sense of humour to his challenging Pilates and Kickboxing classes.

Christian Ruggeri
General Manager

With over 15 years of management experience in retail, telecommunications, entertainment and recruitment, Christian has led teams from small to large in various positions such as Store Management, Area and State Management. In 2003, he embarked on his career in the Health and Fitness/Service industry.

Christian receives enormous personal satisfaction when he witnesses his team of passionate individuals develop new skills, grow professionally and ultimately reach the goals they set out to achieve. He believes value for money, innovation, and a happy team who provide genuine customer service are paramount in business.

Christian is constantly striving to improve his managerial and leadership skills and is currently completing his MBA at the University of New South Wales.

Belinda Hawes
Club Manager, Bondi Junction

Belinda has long had a passion for health and fitness.

With over 8 years experience in the fitness industry, Belinda began as a group exercise instructor and personal trainer before moving into a managerial role.

Belinda loves interaction with members and her biggest satisfaction comes from helping people achieve their health and fitness goals.

Andrea Eckhardt
Assistant Club Manager, Bondi Junction

Before joining our team at Elixr, Andrea was working for five years training and developing staff in customer service throughout various health clubs in NSW.

Andrea’s passion and priority is creating an exceptional and memorable experience for our members in making sure they are consistently provided with the utmost care, attention and courtesy.

Andrea strongly believes Elixr is the ultimate expression of what member care is all about.  

Koula Bariamis
Club Manager, Bligh & Park St

Koula started off as Member Care Manager at Elixr Bondi Junction in 2006 and managed our Bligh Street club before going back home to Melbourne to take up a new challenge and be closer to her family. As Business Development Manager of a national health club operator, Koula realised that the grass isn't always greener on the other side, and that she missed Elixr. She returned to Elixr in 2009.

With years of experience in leading large teams and customer service, Koula has a passion for helping people and loves to interact with members everyday.

Ally Brown
MemberCare, Bligh Street

Ally joined the Elixr family in 2009 having taken some time to travel the world after completing a degree in Exercise Science. After returning to Australia and with her studies behind her she was eager to learn about the health and fitness industry.

Ally enjoys living an active and healthy lifestyle and felt that the chance to work in an environment that compliments her studies and customer service experience was too good an opportunity to miss.

Claudia House
MemberCare, Park Street

Claudia joined Elixr Health Clubs in November 2009 as Membercare Receptionist at Bondi Junction and really fell in love with Elixr, both the members and staff. Claudia has worked in the customer services industry for over three years. After completing a Public Relations Diploma, Claudia worked in the events industry before returning to her passion of customer service at Elixr. Claudia has always been interested in the health and fitness industry and the opportunity to combine both her interests in the one role was what she had been looking for.