At Inala’s Centre of Excellence, a unique gym program is quietly transforming lives through more than just exercise. Led by Senior Exercise Physiologist Jairo Fernandez, the 12-week block-style program blends safe physical activity with health education and strong community connection tailored for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients and their families.
Originally run by external providers, the program took a new direction when Jairo joined the team just over a year ago. With a background in clinical exercise physiology and a personal passion for health and human performance, he reshaped the program from the ground up.
“Exercise is medicine,” says Jairo. “No matter how unwell or old someone may be, there is some form of exercise they can do to improve their health. And here, we make sure it’s safe, culturally appropriate, and community-driven.”
Each weekly session includes one hour of structured exercise followed by 30 minutes of education. Topics range from chronic condition management to general health literacy all designed with input from the clients and Aboriginal Health Worker team, who Jairo refers to as his “cultural guides.”
The program is open to clients of the Centre of Excellence who identify as Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, or partners of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Participants span across age groups, including a children’s group run on Tuesday afternoons. Since April, the program has supported 31 participants across six weekly groups, averaging about six people per session. But the true impact goes far beyond numbers.
Lyn, one participant, shared: “It has given me a better life. A good quality of life. Before there was nothing except back pain and depression, but now because of Jairo, he’s changed my life. I wish this program was here years ago.”
Another client, Roo, echoed the sentiment: “It’s been really good for my mental health. He likes to make people smile and laugh.”
And Roo’s carer, Laura, highlighted the broader impact: “Before she was withdrawn and struggled to connect with people. This program has allowed her to interact with others, have real conversations and stay motivated.”
Jairo hopes to grow the program further, including offering home-based sessions for those unable to travel and potentially expanding the team to include a second exercise physiologist. “The community feedback has been fantastic, people want more, and we want to give it to them.”
In addition to running group and one-on-one sessions four days a week, Jairo also supervises student placements, helping shape the next generation of allied health professionals with the same patient-centred and culturally safe mindset.
His motto, shared with clients and students alike, is simple yet powerful: “Don’t focus on what you can’t do. Ask: what can I do — and how can I do it?”
The program is more than a gym, it’s a place of healing, hope, and empowerment. And as Jairo says, “We’re only just getting started.”