Meet the team
At Optimum Performance Academy, our leadership team combines decades of expertise in sports science, genetics, neuroscience, and education to create evidence-based programmes that elevate human performance and professional coaching standards.
Our Team
“True performance isn’t about doing more, it’s about understanding how your body and brain work together to create lasting change.”
Dave Sanders
Chief Executive Officer & Founder
Applied Sports Scientist
Certified Personal Trainer
Applied Movement Neurologist Pratitioner
Practical Stress Resilience Coach
David Sanders is the CEO and Founder of Optimum Performance Academy, leading the integration of genetics, neuroscience, and performance coaching into a unified model of human optimisation.
With over 30 years of experience across sport science, personal training, and applied movement neurology, David has worked with athletes, teams, and individuals around the world to help them move better, think sharper, and perform stronger.
His philosophy combines evidence-based science with practical coaching, focusing on long-term empowerment through education, behavioural change, and nervous system awareness. David also mentors fitness professionals globally, developing multi-level education programmes that raise industry standards and bridge the gap between science and application.
“I believe the principles that elevate athletes should be accessible to everyone, because peak performance isn’t just for professionals, it’s for anyone who wants to move, feel, and live better.”
Dray Chrysostomou
Chief Technology Officer
Certified Personal Trainer
Passionate about sport with a love for football and the NFL, Dray is fascinated by how athletes can enhance their performance through smart adjustments in training. He also enjoys clay shooting, a sport that demands precision and mental discipline.
With a strong belief that everyone should have access to the same training principles and programs that athletes use to perform at their best and prevent injury, he brings a practical perspective to performance and wellbeing.
Holding a Level 3 Personal Training qualification gained six years ago, he continues to build on his sporting passions with a focus on performance and resilience.
“Education is the foundation of progress, when we understand how the body learns, we can unlock how it performs.”
Wes Pooley
Consulting Partner
Performance Director at Muhdo Health
Sports Scientist
Strength & Conditioning Coach
Educator
Wez Pooley is a Performance Consulting Partner at Optimum Performance Academy and Director at Muhdo, bringing over two decades of experience at the intersection of sport, science, and education.
Holding a Degree in Sports Science and a Master’s in Teaching and Learning, Wez combines academic expertise with real-world experience as a professional athlete, personal trainer, and coach for international rugby and football teams.
At Optimum Performance Academy, Wez plays a key role in shaping educational strategy and developing evidence-based learning programmes that connect genetics, health, and human performance.
His mission is to make advanced science accessible—turning data into decisions that drive real-world results for individuals and professionals alike.
“When you learn what your body needs you can move with confidence and live with ease.”
Reanne Benson
Genetics Coach
Clinical & Sports Massage Therapist
Certified Personal Trainer
NLP & Breathwork Coach
Reanne is a Genetics Coach at Optimum Performance Academy, specialising in helping people move, feel and function at their best. She blends genetics insights with clinical experience, breathwork, and personalised coaching to support clients in reducing pain, improving resilience and rebuilding confidence in their bodies.
She works with individuals navigating inflammatory conditions, hormonal shifts, chronic tension, injury recovery and physically demanding lifestyles - including equestrians, agricultural workers and military personnel.
Reanne is committed to creating a supportive, informed environment where clients can understand what their body truly needs, restore wellbeing and progress in a sustainable, empowering way.
“Longevity begins with awareness and your genetics show us the smartest place to start.”
Kathryn Sands
Genetics Coach
EquiPilates Instructor
Biomechanics Trainer
Certified Personal Trainer
Kathryn is a Genetics Coach at Optimum Performance Academy, bringing together her background in EquiPilates, biomechanics and personal training to help people live long, happy, healthy lives. She uses clients’ unique DNA results to tailor nutrition, exercise, stress-management strategies and sleep routines in a way that feels achievable, personalised and empowering.
With years of experience coaching movement, stability and performance, Kathryn supports individuals who want to improve their energy, reduce pain, build strength, and create healthier habits that last. Her approach is compassionate, practical and deeply focused on helping each client understand how their body works — and how to support it for better healthspan and long-term wellbeing.
Kathryn is dedicated to guiding people toward a lifestyle where they feel stronger, more capable and more confident in their everyday lives.
“Small, consistent changes guided by your genetics can transform how you move, feel and live.”
Claire Dryden
Genetics Coach
Mat and Reformer Qualified Pilates Instructor
Certified Personal Trainer
Claire is a dedicated movement professional who blends classical Pilates principles with modern strength and mobility coaching to help people move with confidence, ease and stability. With qualifications in mat and reformer Pilates alongside personal training, her approach supports improved posture, balanced strength and better body awareness for everyday life.
As part of Optimum Performance Academy, Claire integrates genetic insights to create training and lifestyle strategies that match each person’s unique biology. She believes that guided by our genetics, changing targeted simple habits improves the quality of our daily lives and creates long lasting wellbeing.
Her coaching is calm, supportive and focused on helping people feel stronger, more aligned and more in control of their health. Claire is committed to helping clients build sustainable habits that elevate both movement and overall quality of life.
Meet the team
At Optimum Performance Academy, our leadership team combines decades of expertise in sports science, genetics, neuroscience, and education to create evidence-based programmes that elevate human performance and professional coaching standards.
Our Team
Dave Sanders
Chief Executive Officer & Founder
Applied Sports Scientist
Certified Personal Trainer
Applied Movement Neurologist Pratitioner
Practical Stress Resilience Coach
David Sanders is the CEO and Founder of Optimum Performance Academy, leading the integration of genetics, neuroscience, and performance coaching into a unified model of human optimisation.
With over 30 years of experience across sport science, personal training, and applied movement neurology, David has worked with athletes, teams, and individuals around the world to help them move better, think sharper, and perform stronger.
His philosophy combines evidence-based science with practical coaching, focusing on long-term empowerment through education, behavioural change, and nervous system awareness. David also mentors fitness professionals globally, developing multi-level education programmes that raise industry standards and bridge the gap between science and application.
“True performance isn’t about doing more, it’s about understanding how your body and brain work together to create lasting change.”
Dray Chrysostomou
Chief Technology Officer
Certified Personal Trainer
Passionate about sport with a love for football and the NFL, Dray is fascinated by how athletes can enhance their performance through smart adjustments in training. He also enjoys clay shooting, a sport that demands precision and mental discipline.
With a strong belief that everyone should have access to the same training principles and programs that athletes use to perform at their best and prevent injury, he brings a practical perspective to performance and wellbeing.
Holding a Level 3 Personal Training qualification gained six years ago, he continues to build on his sporting passions with a focus on performance and resilience.
“I believe the principles that elevate athletes should be accessible to everyone, because peak performance isn’t just for professionals, it’s for anyone who wants to move, feel, and live better.”
Wes Pooley
Consulting Partner
Performance Director at Muhdo Health
Sports Scientist
Strength & Conditioning Coach
Educator
Wez Pooley is a Performance Consulting Partner at Optimum Performance Academy and Director at Muhdo, bringing over two decades of experience at the intersection of sport, science, and education.
Holding a Degree in Sports Science and a Master’s in Teaching and Learning, Wez combines academic expertise with real-world experience as a professional athlete, personal trainer, and coach for international rugby and football teams.
At Optimum Performance Academy, Wez plays a key role in shaping educational strategy and developing evidence-based learning programmes that connect genetics, health, and human performance.
His mission is to make advanced science accessible—turning data into decisions that drive real-world results for individuals and professionals alike.
“Education is the foundation of progress, when we understand how the body learns, we can unlock how it performs.”
Reanne Benson
Genetics Coach
Clinical & Sports Massage Therapist
Certified Personal Trainer
NLP & Breathwork Coach
Reanne is a Genetics Coach at Optimum Performance Academy, specialising in helping people move, feel and function at their best. She blends genetics insights with clinical experience, breathwork, and personalised coaching to support clients in reducing pain, improving resilience and rebuilding confidence in their bodies.
She works with individuals navigating inflammatory conditions, hormonal shifts, chronic tension, injury recovery and physically demanding lifestyles — including equestrians, agricultural workers and military personnel.
Reanne is committed to creating a supportive, informed environment where clients can understand what their body truly needs, restore wellbeing and progress in a sustainable, empowering way.
“When you learn what your body needs you can move with confidence and live with ease.”
Kathryn Sands
Genetics Coach
EquiPilates Instructor
Biomechanics Trainer
Certified Personal Trainer
Kathryn is a Genetics Coach at Optimum Performance Academy, bringing together her background in EquiPilates, biomechanics and personal training to help people live long, happy, healthy lives. She uses clients’ unique DNA results to tailor nutrition, exercise, stress-management strategies and sleep routines in a way that feels achievable, personalised and empowering.
With years of experience coaching movement, stability and performance, Kathryn supports individuals who want to improve their energy, reduce pain, build strength, and create healthier habits that last. Her approach is compassionate, practical and deeply focused on helping each client understand how their body works — and how to support it for better healthspan and long-term wellbeing.
Kathryn is dedicated to guiding people toward a lifestyle where they feel stronger, more capable and more confident in their everyday lives.
“Longevity begins with awareness and your genetics show us the smartest place to start.”
Claire Dryden
Genetics Coach
Mat and Reformer Qualified Pilates Instructor
Certified Personal Trainer
Claire is a dedicated movement professional who blends classical Pilates principles with modern strength and mobility coaching to help people move with confidence, ease and stability. With qualifications in mat and reformer Pilates alongside personal training, her approach supports improved posture, balanced strength and better body awareness for everyday life.
As part of Optimum Performance Academy, Claire integrates genetic insights to create training and lifestyle strategies that match each person’s unique biology. She believes that guided by our genetics, changing targeted simple habits improves the quality of our daily lives and creates long lasting wellbeing.
Her coaching is calm, supportive and focused on helping people feel stronger, more aligned and more in control of their health. Claire is committed to helping clients build sustainable habits that elevate both movement and overall quality of life.