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

Nicole Bann-Murray

CLINICAL PILATES INSTRUCTOR | ALLIED HEALTH – REMEDIAL MASSAGE

Movement & Recovery (Breathwork) | Bachelor Business (UTS)

Nicole, a Port Macquarie local, sports enthusiast and former small business owner of the popular Peloton Espresso Bar, began her Pilates journey in 2020. She has participated in a life of sport, with a passion for cycling, running, swimming and triathlon. Nicole describes herself as an “active person rather than a competitor”.

Nicole has lived and worked overseas as well as completing a Bachelor of Business at the UTS Sydney, whilst also instructing at various gyms throughout this time

Nicole’s vast personal experience in exercise and training gives her the ability to create an abundance of enthusiasm and fitness into each of her classes. Her recent study of remedial massage and breath work allows Nicole to understand more about how a body moves in order to better help her clients. This passion and knowledge of body, movement and breath allows clients to leave her classes feeling more grounded, confident and inspired to lead lives centred around movement.

Nicole’s mission is to apply Pilates into everyday activities and believes the workout doesn’t end in the studio, but is carried out into our everyday life.

Outside of teaching, Nicole is a keen runner and swimmer, enjoys traveling and spending time on her SUP with friends and family.

Qualifications & Credentials

Diploma of Professional Pilates Instruction
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
Studio Pilates Reformer Progressions Certificate
Advanced Oxygen, Breath Work & Nasal Breathing Certificate
First Aid Certificate

Jill Mckern

CLINICAL PILATES INSTRUCTOR | NUTRITION & MOVEMENT

Nutrition, Inclusive Movement & Disability Support

Jill’s interest in Pilates glimmered when she attended her first class at SMART Pilates in 2021. Inspired by the healthy, fun and experienced instructors and clients at SMART Pilates, Jill came to the studio looking to improve her posture, increase her overall strength and overcome injury. Jill’s belief is that “Pilates creates a body awareness that is essential to a healthier lifestyle”.

Jill became a certified instructor at SMART Pilates in 2022 and has never looked back, loving the mind and body connections that Pilates creates.

A Port Macquarie local, Food Coach and experienced Pilates Instructor, Jill is a valued member of the SMART Pilates team. With an array of experience in customer service, coupled with Jill’s vast knowledge in nutrition, creates that well rounded setting for our clients to link mind and body in a healing environment.

Jill is always striving to learn more about Pilates and her client’s goals, constantly inspired by the people around her, never tiring of instructing Pilates, as every person brings a new perspective to the studio. Jill is obsessed with the changes Pilates brings to the body so quickly and enjoys watching her clients find this too.

Jill’s enthusiastic and effervescent personality is evident in each of her sessions. The ability to bring a bit of fun, cardio, health and creativity is evident in every session bringing an upbeat energy into each of her client’s journeys to a happier and healthier self.

When Jill isn’t teaching classes, you can find her creating interesting healthy snacks and smoothies, hanging out with her young family and of course practicing Pilates.

Qualifications & Credentials

Diploma of Professional Pilates Instruction
Barre Body Mat Work Certificate
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

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)