Live & Local Sydney I Foot and Ankle Tendons – MSK one-day clinical intensive hands-on workshop

Alex, BHS, M.Pod.Prac, PGDipSEM(Otago) FFPM RCPS(Glasg), is a Sports and Exercise Podiatrist, Strength and Conditioning Coach and owner of The Rehab Podiatrist, a clinic based in Canberra.

For over 10 years he's been working with people and athletes with foot and ankle pain. Using his clinical experience and latest evidence he uses an approach incorporating traditional podiatry lower limb biomechanics, footwear, foot orthoses, exercise rehabilitation and psychologically informed coaching techniques to provide comprehensive, patient centered treatment plans.

He's passionate about helping other clinicians get confident with managing foot and ankle conditions. He's taught workshops nationally and spoken at multiple conferences in Australia and overseas.

If he's not in the clinic or teaching, you'll find him in the gym, checking the snow forecast or out on a walk with his wife, son and miniature schnauzer "Frankie."

Blake Withers is a musculoskeletal and sports podiatrist, PhD candidate, educator, and researcher with a passion for translating science into clinical practice. He is currently completing his PhD on strategies to prevent running-related injuries, with a focus on resistance training and evidence-based interventions.

Blake has delivered keynote presentations nationally and internationally on topics including stress fractures, tendon management, and footwear biomechanics. His experience spans clinical practice with elite athletes, teaching podiatric biomechanics at the University of Newcastle, and leading multidisciplinary education initiatives.

As co-host of The Sports Medicine Project podcast, Blake has engaged over 100,000 listeners worldwide, interviewing leading experts such as Dr Ebonie Rio, Dr Richard Willy, and Dr Christian Barton. He also founded an online education platform supporting more than 50 clinicians monthly with research-informed clinical content.

Blake has been recognised with teaching awards, holds editorial roles with the Australian Podiatry Association, and serves on boards advancing musculoskeletal podiatry and interdisciplinary education. Whether in the clinic, classroom, or on stage, his work reflects a commitment to improving patient outcomes, bridging research with practice, and inspiring clinicians to deliver evidence-based care.

Emily Smith is a Sydney-based Sports Podiatrist who has spent 20 years working with elite athletes and teams. In 2023, she was invited to join the WTA’s Performance Health team as a Medical Advisor to develop the podiatry and orthotic program whilst travelling with the tour, teaching and providing podiatric care throughout the year to the world’s top 200 women’s tennis players. Drawing on her sports medicine experience, research, and new technologies, Emily challenges tradition in her pursuit of optimal foot function, orthotic prescription, footwear design, and sports performance. Her research led to the creation of Emily Braidwood, a patented insole company, and she is part of the University of Sydney Foot and Ankle Research Group. Emily is also Managing Director of Sydney Sports Medicine Centre and co-founder of Biomechanica.

Joe was born in Hobart, moving to the North West Coast of Tasmania, then to country Victoria, before returned full circle to Hobart to practice podiatry. He completed a Bachelor of Podiatry from La Trobe University in 2012, with placements at the RHH and in community based health giving him experience with a variety of foot conditions.

Joe enjoys all areas of podiatry, with a special interest in; adolescent sports injuries, running related injuries, chronic or complex pain related to previous injury or arthritis, nail surgeries and footwear advice.

He focuses on keeping his patients healthy, active and moving towards their goals. Collaborating with the multidisciplinary health team, he empowers people with simple but effective exercises. Joe has completed professional development in; dry needling, chronic pain education (Explain Pain) and running rehabilitation with Dr Christian Barton.

Joe works with the Leap team of Physios and Exercise Physiologists to coordinate VALD appointments for long term injury management. He also sees all patient groups including NDIS.

He is currently involved in a research project with Monash University involving growth plate injuries in the heel and knee. Joe keeps up-to-date with all things podiatry by reading widely and listening to sports medicine and podiatry podcasts.

Outside of work he is keeping busy as a Dad to Teddy, and spoiling his dog Bonte. As well as being a one-eyed Western Bulldogs fan, Joe is just as passionate about mental health awareness and is a speaker for Beyond Blue. He also loves cooking, great food and coffee with the occasional glass of good red wine. Joe is a self-confessed Happy Sock addict with over 30 pairs of pair bright and weird socks. Ask him what socks he is wearing when you meet him in clinic for your podiatry appointment!