The Confident Body Show

This week on The Confident Body Show, host Michael Dermansky is joined by fellow physical therapist Karen DeSimone to explore what it really takes to achieve long-term recovery from back pain. Together, Michael and Karen discuss why traditional approaches to treating back pain often fall short and why a more comprehensive, outcome-focused model is essential for lasting results. They explain the im...

This week on The Confident Body Show, host Michael Dermansky is joined by Rob Gregory, who shares his personal journey of overcoming back pain and building a stronger, more resilient body through clinical Pilates and strength training. Rob reflects on the challenges of managing back injuries, the lessons he learned along the way, and how combining stability, control, and strength helped him regain...

This week on The Confident Body Show, Michael Dermansky is joined by Connor Sjogren to explore one of the most common reasons people seek healthcare: back pain. Together, they unpack why back pain occurs, the most common conditions affecting the lower back, and why many people struggle to find lasting relief. Michael and Connor discuss the limitations of passive treatments alone and explain why bu...

This week on The Confident Body Show , Michael Dermansky is joined by Will Ryan for an in-depth conversation on osteoarthritis, unpacking why it is far more than a simple wear-and-tear condition.  The conversation unpacks the underlying factors that contribute to osteoarthritis, including the role of cartilage, bone, muscle strength, joint loading, and inflammation. Michael and Will discuss why ex...

This week on The Confident Body Show , Michael Dermansky is joined by David Smith to explore why strength training becomes essential for women during and after menopause, and how training smarter (not harder) leads to better long-term results. The conversation unpacks the key physiological changes that occur during menopause, including the impact of reduced oestrogen on muscle, bone health, tendon...

This week on The Confident Body Show , Michael Dermansky is joined by one of MD Health's physiotherapists, Will Ryan, to explore why clinical Pilates and strength training aren't opposing approaches, but powerful partners when it comes to performance, injury prevention, and long-term health. The conversation dives into the often-overlooked benefits of strength training as we age, including improve...

This week on The Confident Body Show, host Michael Dermansky is joined by Connor Sjogren, Osteopath at MD Health, to unpack a surprisingly common problem: when pain in one part of your body isn't actually coming from where you feel it. They explore how back, hip, and pelvic issues can all mimic each other, often presenting with the same symptoms, and why getting the right diagnosis early is the ke...

This week on The Confident Body Show , Michael Dermansky is joined by Lyne Strmecki, a competitive basketball player still going strong at 58, to discuss how to improve long-term strength without relying solely on gym workouts. They explore Lyne's journey from elite sport to targeted rehabilitation, how COVID reshaped her approach to fitness, and why professional supervision makes all the differen...

This week on The Confident Body Show, Michael Dermansky is joined by Tania Cicmil, founder of Mindstate Coaching and a high-performance mindset strategist, to discuss what to do when your body just doesn't feel right, and why getting a second opinion can change everything. They unpack why lack of progress after seven weeks may signal the need for a new approach, and how staying consistent for the...

This week on The Confident Body Show, Michael Dermansky is joined by nutritional health expert Tracy Davies to explore what truly matters when it comes to long-term health, and it's not just about weight. They unpack how good nutrition isn't about restriction or perfection, but about fuelling your body for energy, strength, and longevity. Tracy shares how nutrition supports muscle and bone health,...

This week on The Confident Body Show, Michael Dermansky is joined by sports physiotherapist Kusal Goonewardena to unpack the often-overlooked key to strength and performance: recovery. They dive into why recovery isn't just rest—it's a structured part of every smart training plan. From sleep quality and hydration to stress, nutrition, and tracking tools like HRV, Kusal shares how to spot when your...

This week on The Confident Body Show, Michael Dermansky is joined by Loris Bertolacci to explore what it really takes to return to running after an injury. From hamstring strains to calf issues, they break down how to recover safely, avoid common mistakes, and know when you're truly ready to run again. Loris shares expert tips on strength training, managing load, and the fine line between rehab an...

This week, Michael Dermansky sits down with Jackie Kenny, a 66-year-old triathlete and martial artist, to explore how staying active, strong, and purposeful can transform the way we age. Jackie reflects on her rich athletic journey—from her first triathlon in 1984 to her dedication to karate—and the challenges she's overcome with injury and recovery. A key part of her comeback was training at MD H...

This week, Michael Dermansky sits down with Matt Pallozzi, Founder of Instinct Health and head physiotherapist for Collingwood's AFLW program, to discuss the evolving landscape of women's football and the unique challenges athletes face. Matt shares insights from his extensive experience in AFLW, including his time with Carlton and Collingwood, highlighting the distinct injury patterns in women's...

This week, Michael Dermansky sits down with David Smith, Co-founder and Director of Absolute Health Performance, for an insightful discussion on the importance of strength training in your 50s and beyond—why it's essential, how to do it safely, and the long-term benefits for muscle mass, power, and bone density. David explains why simply walking or doing light exercises isn't enough to maintain st...

This week, Michael Dermansky sits down with Caitlin Smith for an enlightening conversation on osteoporosis—its prevention, management, and the powerful roles of strength training and nutrition. Caitlin highlights the evolving understanding of bone health, emphasising that osteoporosis is not just a 'female issue' and that men are increasingly affected. Together, they explore the essential roles of...

This week, Michael Dermansky sits down with Riaza Manricks, founder of Reimagining Business, for an insightful conversation about the importance of strength training during pregnancy and its role in overall well-being. Riaza shares her personal journey through two pregnancies, navigating the challenges and the significance of professional guidance. The discussion highlights the balance between par...

This week, Michael Dermansky sits down with Valerie Judge, founder and managing director of Rose Phoenix Health, for an insightful conversation about the impact of anxiety on our behaviour and its intricate connection to pain. Valerie navigates the various stages of stress and anxiety, shedding light on how they can hinder our progress towards goals. She also explores the complex relationship betw...

This week, Michael Dermansky is joined by Paul Moritz, a long distance race walker and client of MD Health, to discuss his sporting and wellbeing journey.  Paul shares his experiences across a long racing career, including his three fundamentals of endurance sport success, the importance of strength work in his return after injury, and why having fun is so important - especially for endurance athl...

This week, Michael Dermanski is joined by Pinakin Godse, a sports physiotherapist with a rich background as both an athlete and a physio to elite sportspeople. Pinakin shares his experiences working with Olympic-level athletes as they return after an injury-enforced break - the common mistakes, the barriers to success, and the lessons that amateurs can learn. After all, athletes regularly deal wit...

This week, Michael Dermanski has a very special guest in the studio… himself! Yes, Michael is mixing it up with a short sharp solo episode. No guests - just you, him and the facts.  In his hardest-hitting interview to date, Michael asks himself all he's ever wanted to know about returning to running after an injury: the most common injuries the team at MD Health see; the stages that clients need t...

This week, we've got another client journey to share with you. Michael is joined by special guest Trevor Young to talk about his experience working with the MD Health team. After many years of physical activity, basketball injuries coupled with a desk-based job were taking their toll. Trevor found it hard to do the simple things he'd previously taken for granted. He was losing confidence in his bo...

This week, Michael welcomes back Josh Blencowe from MD Health to explore a biomechanical perspective on skiing, as well as nutrition and hydration tips to help you maximise your enjoyment from your trip. Skiing and snowboarding work the major muscle groups of the lower body - but it's easy to overlook the fine control muscles around the joints that are also tested. You need to work on a combinatio...

This week, Michael is joined by the founder of Clinical Pilates, Craig Phillips, to discuss the evolution of the practice, the significant changes over the years, and the future direction of healthcare.  Craig's fascinating journey has taken him from the Australian Ballet in the 70s to the San Francisco 49ers and all the way to the OIympics. Along the way, he was responsible for evolving Joseph Pi...

Planning an overseas holiday is an exciting time. But for many people, particularly as they get older, it can cause a lot of anxiety. If you are dealing with pain or restricted movement, the idea of doing more exercise than normal while on holiday - which is to be expected, as you don't want to be stuck in your room all day - can be confronting. And not just for the concern around pain or an inabi...