Together our team shares over 120 years of knowledge and clinical experience - all collaboratively working for your outcomes in health

Our Team

Chiropractors

  • Dr David Riordan, senior chiropractor at Thrive Health Gold Coast, Elanora

    Dr Dave Riordan - Functional Chiropractor

    Meet Dr Dave, our Sports Chiropractor

    Dr David Riordan is the founding chiropractor of Thrive Health Gold Coast, having built the practice from the ground up into the multi-disciplinary clinic it is today. He holds a double Bachelor's degree — Applied Science and Clinical Science — and brings over 25 years of experience in functional movement, sport and chiropractic care.

    Dave has become sought after by elite athletes for his knowledge of correcting poor movement patterns and posture, treating Olympic swimmers, PGA golfers, professional surfers, world champion kickboxers, CrossFit Games athletes and Hollywood actors — clients whose work leaves no room for a wrong diagnosis or an ineffective treatment plan. He has a special interest in scoliosis management, anxiety and migraine/headache treatment.

    With additional training in myofascial release, dry needling, neuromuscular reflex technique, neuromuscular stimulation therapy and RockTape kinesiology taping, Dave takes a holistic, multi-modal approach — building each treatment plan around the specific patient in front of him, with goal-oriented treatment and prescription exercises matched to their ability, rather than a standard adjust-and-go routine.

    He believes health is your greatest investment in life — built on a healthy nervous system, hydration, gut health with a whole-food lifestyle, good posture, and staying flexible and active as you age.

    Outside the clinic, Dave is a scuba diver, a motorbike rider, and a firm believer in getting outdoors — whether that's a rainforest walk with his family or the next adventure. He and his wife have three children, and staying active with them is as much a part of his own health philosophy as anything he practices at Thrive.

    "The goal was never just to get you out of pain — it's to get your body performing at its greatest potential, so you can keep doing the things you love for as long as possible. That's the standard I hold every treatment plan to, and it's the standard this practice was built on."

  • Dr Theo Blote, chiropractor at Thrive Health Gold Coast in Elanora

    Dr Theo Blote - Family Chiropractor

    Meet Dr Theo Blöte

    Dr Theo Blöte is a passionate chiropractor who believes health is about far more than simply relieving pain. His approach is centred on helping people function at their best by supporting the health of the spine and nervous system—creating the conditions for the body to do what it was intelligently designed to do: adapt, regulate, repair and thrive.

    Theo’s philosophy is grounded in the belief that every person has an incredible God-given capacity for health. Rather than chasing symptoms alone, he takes the time to understand each person’s story, identify underlying contributors to poor function, and work alongside them to achieve lasting improvements in their health and quality of life.

    Known for his warm, down-to-earth nature, Theo enjoys building genuine relationships with his patients and empowering them through education. He believes that when people understand how their body works, they’re better equipped to make informed decisions about their health and take ownership of their wellbeing.

    Theo cares for people of all ages—from newborns and growing children through to busy professionals, athletes, parents and older adults. His clinical interests include family chiropractic care, posture and spinal health, headaches, neck and back pain, pregnancy care, corrective care and long-term wellness.

    Using a combination of Diversified chiropractic, corrective care principles and patient-centred management, Theo tailors care to the individual rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach. His goal is not simply to help people feel better today, but to help them build a healthier future.

    Outside the practice, Theo is a devoted husband and father of five. Family, faith and community are at the heart of everything he does, and he considers it a privilege to help individuals and families live healthier, more active and fulfilling lives.

    “I believe our bodies were created with an extraordinary capacity to heal and adapt. My role as a chiropractor is to help remove obstacles to healthy function, support the nervous system, and give every patient the best opportunity to express their greatest potential for health.” — Dr Theo Blöte


Physiotherapists & Clinical Pilates

  • Emma Ballantyne, physiotherapist at Thrive Health Gold Coast, Elanora

    Emma Ballantyne

    Meet Emma,  our talented Physiotherapist and Clinical Pilates instructor, with over 10 years of experience in private practice. She’s known for her down-to-earth approach and genuine care, always going the extra mile to support her clients on their health journeys.

    Emma studied Human Movement at the University of Sydney before going on to complete a Masters in Physiotherapy. Her solid education, paired with years of hands-on experience, gives her the tools to treat a wide range of injuries and conditions.

    She’s passionate about helping people feel their best, using a mix of techniques like cupping, dry needling, and manual therapy—always tailored to suit each client’s unique needs. Emma also loves incorporating exercise into treatment plans whenever possible, combining traditional physio methods with Clinical Pilates to deliver well-rounded care that gets to the root of the problem.

    Her approach is all about movement, strength, and helping you get back to doing what you love. Emma takes the time to understand each person’s goals and creates personalised plans that support long-term health and recovery. She’s also committed to ongoing learning, so her clients benefit from the latest evidence-based techniques.

    If you're after a physio who’s not only highly skilled but also warm, supportive, and genuinely invested in your wellbeing, Emma’s got you covered. We’re lucky to have her on the team!

Naturopaths

  • Julie Lemmo

    Julie is an incredibly skilled and experienced degree-qualified naturopath. With more than 16 years in the healthcare industry, and 13 years as a qualified Naturopath, Julie brings a wealth of knowledge, expertise and wisdom to each of her consults.

    Julie is a compassionate Naturopath who is committed to holistic principles and takes a whole-person approach in her clinic. She takes time to listen to her client's history and concerns ensuring that each client has a bespoke treatment plan to align with their unique needs.

    Julie has worked as an educator at Gold Coast Private Hospital in their integrative Cancer program supporting clients through conventional treatment, while educating and sharing her knowledge about the power of using food as medicine and its direct influence on how we feel and function from day to day. 

    Julie brings this passion into home life and as a mother in a fast-paced society acutely understands the importance of keeping it simple and realistic when it comes to health and wellness.

Clinical Hypnotherapy

  • Lela Diaz - Clinical Hypnotherapist & NLP Coach

    Lela Diaz is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in Energy and the Mind. Throughout her journey, she has dedicated herself to the study and exploration of Energy in various forms, acquiring an extensive understanding of its profound impact on individuals.

    With her exceptional ability to create a safe and nurturing space for healing and transformation, she has guided countless clients on profound journeys of self-discovery. Fuelled by an unwavering passion for facilitating positive change, she pursued advanced education and earned a Master Certificate in Clinical Hypnotherapy, NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming), and Life Coaching from The Mind Academy. These cutting-edge modalities enable her to harness the power of the subconscious mind, empowering individuals to overcome obstacles and create meaningful transformations in their lives.

Podiatry

  • Kelli Cahill - Podiatrist

    As a practitioner Kelli values communication, integrity and excellence and she applies this in all areas of her podiatry practice to achieve the best possible outcomes for her patients.

    From the growing child to the retiree; the working adult to the pregnant mum, foot pain is frustrating and can be debilitating and impact the entire body. The stage of life you are at is big determinate of the foot problems you may experience and whether you want to get through the work day, go for a daily walk or keep playing sport pain free, I am here to assist you.

    Kellie is particularly passionate about ankle injuries, ankle sprains and chronic ankle instability, which can greatly impact your gait and mobility.