THE TEAM

AARON BALSOM

Managing Director / Accredited Exercise Physiologist

Aaron, or big boss as most people refer to me as.

I started my journey towards the exercise and recovery sector by starting as a butcher when I left school and learning my anatomy that way. I think I found that I would rather work with things that are alive so packed my bags and went down to the mighty Palmerston North to join student life and do a degree in sport and exercise.

The idea was to become a typical personal trainer building bodies to look good in summer however the experience I had when working with people with significant health challenges and the power that exercise had to impact their lives, changed my career path.

After finishing my degree and heading home to the Bay I worked at a few gyms trying to seek out clients that had more challenging issues before finally getting my break and being asked to come and open up a rehab gym and 8 years later I am still here, loving it and taking the NextStep in my career with ownership.

My special focus areas are in the activity-based therapy side of things where I love to try and recover function, challenge your body in various ways and really make an impact with exercise for Neurological conditions.

Fun facts:

I used to be a strength and conditioning coach for the Bay of Plenty Steamers rugby team
I have 4 awesome kids
I am a fanatical All Blacks fan

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Sport & Exercise Prescription
Post Graduate Diploma in Sport & Exercise
Medical Exercise Specialist Certification
Workplace First Aid Certification
SESNZ Accredited Exercise Physiologist

CASEY BRADY

Director

My journey into the fitness industry started differently to most, in 2017 I had a motocross accident that left me with a spinal cord injury. Since this day my life goals and journey have been slightly changed as I added in giving everything in my will power to walk again. I started my rehab Journey the moment I left the hospital and created my own path for my recovery.

During this time I found a massive passion in the health, fitness and rehabilitation industry. I used this passion to my advantage and have made a business and a career from a situation that I did not want to be in. It gave me the desire to learn more about my own body fuelling me to undertake a personal training qualification so I could aid people in similar situations with their health, fitness and recovery. I continue to do rehab every day but I have found my purpose to help and inspire others along the way .

I keep busy by not letting my injury limit me and carry on with life activities and adventures.

Fun facts:

My first job was milking cows
1 of 4 sisters
Qualified teacher

Qualifications:

Qualified Personal Trainer
First aid certificate
REPs registered personal trainer

MT MAUNGANUI TEAM

KYLIE CRIBB

Exercise Physiologist

Born and bred in the Bay of Plenty, most of my early years growing up were spent outside - helping around the family farm, exploring the outdoors, or playing sport.

Being heavily involved in sports sparked my passion for working with athletes and lead to me pursuing a career in training and rehabilitation - within a rugby environment in particular.

Post Covid, my thoughts sround my career began to change and led me down a different path. I became alot more interested in the broader impact exercise can have on people's health, recovery and quality of life. This inspired my passion for exercise physiology and working with individuals facing injury, illness or disability.

I find it incredibly rewarding to help people overcome challenges, regain confidence, and achieve goals they may not have thought possible through exercise and movement.

Fun facts:

I worked as a Strength and Conditioning Coach for both the Auckland and North Harbour rugby teams.
In 2023 I stepped into the ring for a corporate boxing fight.
I have travelled to 18 countries - more to come hopefully!

Qualifications:

Postgraduate Diploma in Sport and Exercise (Auckland University of Technology)
Bachelor in Sport and Recreation (Auckland University of Technology)
Diploma in Sport and Recreation (Bay of Plenty Polytechnic)

DOUG JUSZCZYK

Accredited Exercise Physiologist

Born and raised in Zimbabwe and relocated to NZ with my folks as refugees in 2004, grateful to be following my passions in my second home.

Growing up I always aspired to become a professional rugby player/athlete, but was never gifted in the genetic or athletic department. This propelled me into learning the ins and outs of athletic performance as well as beginning to live it in order to achieve my desires.

As with all knowledge gaining experiences there were a lot of failures aka opportunities to learn from. This coupled with diving into a sports and exercise degree after school curved my life trajectory towards helping people to become stronger, healthier, fitter and happier humans.

Fast forward to present day I have a Diploma, a Degree and a Post graduate qualification in exercise physiology and 12 years experience working as a personal trainer, group fitness instructor, deep tissue massage therapist, physiotherapist assistant and being a player immersed in a professional athlete environment for a number of years.

Now, here at NextStepNZ I intend to keep being a forever student in learning but also use the skills, knowledge and passion I have cultivated all these years to give Next Step clients their best experience possible in their rehabilitation, health and fitness goals and ensure to continue helping people become the strongest version of themselves.

Fun facts:

I had a pet monkey as a kid and have ridden a elephant, ostrich and rhino!
I have played rugby in 8 countries
I have had 5 surgeries for rugby related injuries

Qualifications:

Diploma in International Sports Studies at International Pacific University (PN)
Bachelor of Exercise & Sports Studies at UCOL (PN)
Post Graduate Diploma in Sports & Exercise

DAYMIAN HALES

Exercise Physiologist

Hey there, my name is Daymian and I am from Tauranga. Growing up, I always enjoyed playing sports, from Badminton to rock climbing I loved to be active and social.

Eventually, I found myself gaining an interest in exercise and even exercise physiology, leading me to pursue a degree in my new found passion. I wanted to understand the science behind training and how the body responds to exercise.

Now, I am able to use my knowledge to assist others on their well-being journey and I want to keep developing my skills so I can further apply myself and continue to help people reach their health and fitness goals.

Fun facts:

I studied my degree in Hamilton
My first sport was Karate
I have 3 sisters

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Health, Sport and Human Performance
Post Graduate Diploma in Rehabilitation

-Major in Human Performance Science

-Minor in Community Health

Essential First Aid

WHAKATANE TEAM

SYLVAIN OGGIER

Clinical Exercise Physiologist

Swiss and 30 years old, I grew up in the heart of the Valais mountains within a family of 6 children, an environment that forged my team spirit, adaptability and absolute passion for movement.

From the Alpine peaks where I spent years climbing, ski touring and ice climbing, my journey led me to the canton de Vaud to earn my degree in Adated Physical Activitiy (APA) in Lausanne. As an APA specialist, I am dedicated to helping people rediscover their physical potential and regain autonomy through tailored movement.

A keen traveler since childhood, I fell in love with New Zealand in 2024. Today, I am thrilled to settle down in Whakatane as part of the NextStep team. Here, I succefully combine my professional calling in rehabilitation with my desire for marine adrenaline, spending my free time surfing, diving and kitesurfing.

Fun facts:

Traded the Swiss mountains for the ocean in New Zealand
Since Kiwis often struggle to prounonce Sylvain, usually turning in to “Silver”, I’ve adopted a local rule: “Just call me Syl...and everything will be Good as Gold”!

Qualifications:

Master of Sciences in Human Movement and Sports Sciences (Option Physical Adapted Activity, University of Lausanne, Switzerland)
Bachelor of Science in Sport Sciences and Motor Control (Option Health-Research and Performance, University of Fribourg, Switzerland)