Mariana was born and raised in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Being passionate about sports since childhood, she became a semi-professional track & field athlete, competing as a javelin thrower.
She fell in love with Physiotherapy at age of 15, when she injured her hip during a national competition and had to receive physio treatments for 6 months. She graduated from the University of Sao Paulo in 2012 and went on to receive a Post-graduation Certification in Human Physiology from the ABC Medicine School in 2015. Since her graduation, Mariana started to work with clinical Pilates techniques and focused her approaches to help adult, mid-age and geriatric patients to achieve their rehab goals, with simple and effective exercises.
As a physiotherapist, she likes to teach her patients how to regain control of their own body after an injury, within their capacities and limitations. She believes that the human body is like an engine and exercise is the oil that makes it run smoothly. In 2021, she completed a Business Certificate at Capilano University, and she expanded her Physiotherapy education in vestibular rehab, concussion management, and manual therapies.
In 2022, she acquired her specialization in Dry Needling, and a FIFA Diploma in Football Medicine to expand even further her sports rehab repertoire. Based in Victoria for the last couple years, she was mentored to acquire 4000 hours required to become a Certified Hand Therapist.
She views her clinic hours as her 'happy hour' - a time filled with purpose and the joy of restoring physical independence to human beings. In her free time, she enjoys spending her time hiking and camping, playing boardgames, and discovering new cafes throughout the island.
