Fiona porteous
Online Trainer & Assessor
Exercise PhysiologistFitness EducatorCycling Enthusiast
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
With over 20 years in the health and fitness industry, Fiona brings extensive experience across personal training, exercise physiology, education, and national-level campus management.
She began her fitness journey in Ballarat, where she completed her Certificate III in Fitness before moving to Townsville to complete her Certificate IV and launch her career as a Personal Trainer. Fiona went on to open her own successful PT studio, working with a wide range of clients, including supporting and rehabilitating veterans through DVA contracts.
After five years, she relocated to the Sunshine Coast to study Exercise Physiology, managing multiple fitness clubs, lecturing in fitness education, and continuing to train clients while completing her degree. As a Accredited Exercise Physiologist, Fiona worked across Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast treating clients with chronic conditions, injuries, disabilities, and athletic performance needs.
During COVID, Fiona transitioned into full-time fitness education, progressing into campus leadership roles and eventually overseeing the operations of 21 campuses across Australia.
Although she excelled in management, her passion has always been working directly with students. This led her back into online fitness education as a trainer and assessor, where she now supports future fitness professionals and says she has “found her happy place.”
Current Role at NHFA
As an Online Trainer and Assessor, Fiona supports students through their Certificate III & IV in Fitness. She is responsible for marking assessments and guiding students through their coursework, delivering high-quality online education, maintaining student communication and ensuring a strong student experience, assisting with resource and assessment edits and, creating new training materials alongside the Online Training Manager
Her combination of industry experience, academic knowledge, and teaching expertise makes her a pillar of support for every online student she works with.
Qualifications
- Certificate III & IV in Fitness
- Diploma in Fitness
- Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology (AES, AEP)
- Certificate IV in Training & Assessment
Personal Touch
When she’s not supporting future fitness professionals, Fiona is usually on her road bike—cycling across the Sunshine Coast and competing in road racing events throughout Australia. She’s also a dedicated cavoodle mum, happily spending her downtime walking and pampering her fur baby.
