MEET THE TEAM THAT MAKES IT POSSIBLE
MEET THE TEAM THAT MAKES IT POSSIBLE
At Nova Fitness Retreat, our team is more than just trainers and staff: we’re a community of coaches, nutritionists, and wellness professionals dedicated to helping you transform your body and mind.
Each member brings expertise, energy, and genuine care to guide you through your journey.
At Nova Fitness Retreat, our team is more than just trainers and staff: we’re a community of coaches, nutritionists, and wellness professionals dedicated to helping you transform your body and mind.
Each member brings expertise, energy, and genuine care to guide you through your journey.
FOUNDER NICK
Who am I?
Nick's journey began with his own transformation. Turning his health around took discipline, a change in mindset, and a long stretch of showing up when it would have been easier not to. Nova grew directly out of that experience, built to give other people the environment to train, transform and belong. What he learned along the way was just how much the people around you matter. It is far easier to keep going when you are moving forward alongside others working toward similar goals, people who pull you through the hard days and notice when you start drifting off track. Underneath all of it is one idea Nick comes back to often: you are the one person you will spend your whole life with. Be your own best friend. Look after yourself, invest in your health and make yourself a priority. Nova and the team are here to support you, keep you moving forward and help you reach your goals.
COACH STEVE
Who am I?
Steven is a versatile coach known as the “Swiss Army Knife” of the Nova team. He brings energy, positivity, and experience to every session, delivering training that is both dynamic and purposeful. With 15 years in competitive distance running, including competing at a high collegiate level in the USA, he understands the demands of building both physical and mental resilience. Steven works across strength and conditioning, functional fitness, muscle building, and endurance. His approach blends multiple disciplines with a strong focus on mindset, nutrition, and long-term performance.
COACH LIA
Who am I?
Lia is Nova’s movement and mobility coach, leading playful classes and outdoor adventures. With a background in gymnastics, dance, and strength training, she helps people reconnect with their bodies through mindful, functional movement. Her coaching blends technique, body awareness, and fun: challenging you to move better, feel stronger, and enjoy the process.
COACH JOSIE
Who am I?
Josie is Nova’s HYROX Coach with six years in the fitness industry, a HYROX Certified Coach, Level 3 PT, Level 5 Nutritionist, and 3x HYROX World Qualifier. Her science-led approach is shaped by her own journey of building strength and confidence through performance. After a career in corporate nutrition brands, she moved into coaching and won HYROX Bangkok in her first Pro race. Her mission at Nova: help you get stronger, faster, and more confident for the long run.
COACH FRANCESCA
Who am I?
Francesca is a functional movement coach focused on helping you move better, feel stronger, and train with intention. Her approach centres on building stability and connecting strength across the body for more controlled, natural movement. With a background as a competitive alpine skier and a degree in Exercise and Movement Sciences, she combines high-level experience with a practical, down-to-earth coaching style. Francesca has worked with a wide range of clients, tailoring her approach to fit individual needs. Her focus is on building sustainable, integrative strength that supports both training performance and everyday movement.
COACH JAŠA
Who am I?
Jaša is a strength coach with over a decade of powerlifting experience, starting at age 13. A national champion, he focuses on building real strength and sustainable muscle through a results-driven approach. With a background in boxing and MMA, he specialises in powerbuilding—combining strength and hypertrophy—while helping clients achieve long-term body recomposition. Jaša has coached everyone from beginners to competitive athletes, emphasising strong fundamentals, smart progression, and lasting confidence.
COACH JEAN
Who am I?
What drives Jean-Baptiste as a coach is seeing people realise that training can be more than just pushing hard. It can teach confidence, patience, discipline, and a better understanding of yourself. His goal is to help each person move better, feel stronger, and understand why they are doing what they do, not just follow a workout. He believes progress comes from consistency, good coaching, and the right environment around you. At Nova, Jean-Baptiste hopes to be part of a place where guests leave not only fitter, but also more connected to themselves, to the team, and to what they are truly capable of.
COACH MATT
Who am I?
Matt is Nova’s strength coach and nutrition specialist with 13+ years of experience helping people train smarter and fuel efficiently. With a B.Sc. in Sport and Exercise Science and an M.Sc. in Industrial Biotechnology, he combines scientific expertise with a personalised approach to performance and wellbeing. He started as a nutritional coach for women’s university netball teams and has since helped countless people reach their fitness goals through evidence-based programming. At Nova, Matt delivers strength classes focused on form, progression, and long-term capability, alongside practical nutrition workshops.
COACH SEBASTIAN
Who am I?
Sebastian is Nova’s Muay Thai Coach, leading energetic sessions that focus on authentic technique, conditioning, and building confidence for all levels. He’s also our Head Chef, bringing a passion for flavour and performance-focused nutrition to every meal. Drawing on international experience, he creates vibrant, whole-food menus designed to fuel training and support recovery throughout the retreat.
COACH DAN
Who am I?
What Dan cares about most is how you move—the mechanics behind each lift, how to pace your effort, and how to protect your joints so training continues to feel good for years to come. Recovery is built into the way he coaches. If something feels tight, restricted, or sore, Dan can help identify what’s going on and offer practical solutions, from mobility drills and warm-up cues to adjustments in how you load a movement. His approach comes from a decade of coaching, a background in remedial bodywork, and a CrossFit Level 2 certification. Approachable and highly knowledgeable, Dan gives beginners the patience and clear guidance they need, while helping experienced athletes fine-tune the small details that can make a real difference. His goal is for you to leave Nova moving better, feeling stronger, and with the knowledge to keep progressing long after you return home.
JOIN THE MOVEMENT
Whether you're with us for a week, a month, or a full season of growth, Nova Fitness Retreat offers more than stronger muscles.
You'll leave with clarity, confidence, and a renewed sense of self, shaped not just by the work you put in, but by the people you share it with.
Let’s rise together.
FOUNDER NICK
Who am I?
Nick's journey began with his own transformation. Turning his health around took discipline, a change in mindset, and a long stretch of showing up when it would have been easier not to. Nova grew directly out of that experience, built to give other people the environment to train, transform and belong. What he learned along the way was just how much the people around you matter. It is far easier to keep going when you are moving forward alongside others working toward similar goals, people who pull you through the hard days and notice when you start drifting off track. Underneath all of it is one idea Nick comes back to often: you are the one person you will spend your whole life with. Be your own best friend. Look after yourself, invest in your health and make yourself a priority. Nova and the team are here to support you, keep you moving forward and help you reach your goals.
COACH MATT
Who am I?
Matt is Nova’s strength coach and nutrition specialist, bringing over 13 years of experience in helping people train smarter and fuel efficiently. With a B.Sc. in Sport and Exercise Science and an M.Sc. in Industrial Biotechnology, he combines scientific expertise with a highly personalised approach to performance and wellbeing Starting as a nutritional coach for women's university netball teams, he has since guided countless individuals toward their fitness goals through evidence-based programming. Matt now delivers strength classes at Nova that prioritise form, progression, and long-term capability, along with nutrition workshops that make complex scientific research digestible and actionable.
COACH LIA
Who am I?
Lia is Nova’s movement and mobility coach, guiding everything from playful beach workouts to outdoor adventures. She teaches dedicated mobility sessions at Nova and also leads the range of Nova’s signature activities — including group hikes, kayaking outings, and even the occasional dance class — all designed to help people explore movement in joyful, accessible ways. With a rich background in gymnastics, dance, and strength training, Lia supports people in reconnecting with their bodies through mindful, functional movement. Her coaching blends technique, body awareness, and fun: challenging you to move better, feel stronger, and genuinely enjoy the process.
COACH JAŠA
Who am I?
Jaša is a strength coach with over a decade of powerlifting experience, starting at age 13. A national champion, he focuses on building real strength and sustainable muscle through a results-driven approach. With a background in boxing and MMA, he specialises in powerbuilding—combining strength and hypertrophy—while helping clients achieve long-term body recomposition. Jaša has coached everyone from beginners to competitive athletes, emphasising strong fundamentals, smart progression, and lasting confidence.
COACH STEVE
Who am I?
Steven is a versatile coach known as the “Swiss Army Knife” of the Nova team. He brings energy, positivity, and experience to every session, delivering training that is both dynamic and purposeful. With 15 years in competitive distance running, including competing at a high collegiate level in the USA, he understands the demands of building both physical and mental resilience. Steven works across strength and conditioning, functional fitness, muscle building, and endurance. His approach blends multiple disciplines with a strong focus on mindset, nutrition, and long-term performance.
Coach Jean B.
Who am I?
What drives Jean-Baptiste as a coach is seeing people realise that training can be more than just pushing hard. It can teach confidence, patience, discipline, and a better understanding of yourself. His goal is to help each person move better, feel stronger, and understand why they are doing what they do, not just follow a workout. He believes progress comes from consistency, good coaching, and the right environment around you. At Nova, Jean-Baptiste hopes to be part of a place where guests leave not only fitter, but also more connected to themselves, to the team, and to what they are truly capable of.
COACH DAN
Who am I?
What Dan cares about most is how you move—the mechanics behind each lift, how to pace your effort, and how to protect your joints so training continues to feel good for years to come. Recovery is built into the way he coaches. If something feels tight, restricted, or sore, Dan can help identify what’s going on and offer practical solutions, from mobility drills and warm-up cues to adjustments in how you load a movement. His approach comes from a decade of coaching, a background in remedial bodywork, and a CrossFit Level 2 certification. Approachable and highly knowledgeable, Dan gives beginners the patience and clear guidance they need, while helping experienced athletes fine-tune the small details that can make a real difference. His goal is for you to leave Nova moving better, feeling stronger, and with the knowledge to keep progressing long after you return home.
JOIN THE MOVEMENT
Whether you're with us for a week, a month, or a full season of growth, Nova Fitness Retreat offers more than stronger muscles.
You'll leave with clarity, confidence, and a renewed sense of self, shaped not just by the work you put in, but by the people you share it with.
Let’s rise together.