About Us
Our Dietitians
Dietitians are the recognised experts in food and nutrition in today’s health industry. Our Tree of Life Dietitians are accredited through the appropriate professional organisation, the Dietitians Association of Australia.
Our vast experience within the health industry ensures professional and specialised service. We are able to advise patients on a wide variety of medical issues requiring dietary intervention.
All our dietitians are accredited practising dietitians who will assist you to achieve your health and fitness goals by helping you gain control of your eating habits and improving your energy levels.
With proper consultation from our staff we can help you make a change for the better and finally get you off the dieting cycle.
Desi Carlos
Accredited Practicing Dietitian and founder of Tree of Life International
Bachelor of Applied Science (QUT), Graduate Diploma Nutrition & Dietetics
Director
Mother of two, Desi Carlos is a non-stop whirlwind of energy and enthusiasm and an endless fountain of information when it comes to practical advice on incorporating healthy eating habits into your everyday life. As a fully-qualified Dietitian and the founder of the flourishing Tree of Life International network of nutritional health practices, Desi can be regularly heard and seen sharing her expertise on Brisbane radio stations (resident dietitian for 97.3FM, , on television (regular guest spots on Brisbane Extra), in a host of journals, magazines and at seminars, on a range of topics from general health to obesity, diabetes and heart disease.
During her seventeen years of industry experience Desi has risen to the top of her profession and been involved in a number of government projects both in Australia, winning acclaim for her work in developing weight loss and lifestyle modification programs, with a special focus on people diagnosed with diabetes. Desi has also recently acquired the title of QLD representative dietitian for The Queensland Coeliac Society lending her experience as an expert dietitian and acting as media spokesperson for the organisation.
Desi’s motivation to develop the Tree of Life International concept was to help her clients achieve good health and well-being, through a whole-of-life lifestyle modification strategy. To do this, Desi has assembled a team of health experts across a range of fields incorporating the specialist advice and guidance of many health professionals from dietitians, through to exercise physiotherapists and psychologists.
Desi’s simple message of “eat well, feel good, look great!” has helped thousands of people rediscover themselves as a result of an increased confidence and self-esteem, and in 2007, her long standing commitment to assisting the Australian population reach their goals to feel great and look great without deprivation saw her commit to yet another project—Tree of Life Fine Foods. Through Tree of Life Fine Foods Desi has helped build the JUS product range (see www.jus.net.au) of healthy and convenient take home gourmet meals, offering Australian families, individuals and couples a delicious quick-and-easy alternative to tasteless frozen, or high-in-fat takeaway meals. With all meals low in fat, low GI and dietitian endorsed, the JUS range also caters to those with specific dietary requirements offers a variety of options including gluten and lactose free, low sodium and low carb meals.
Throughout all of her projects, from one-on-one consultations to seminars and the JUS concept, Desi’s mission is to share her passion for healthy living and take the Tree of Life International message to the masses—to help them create a healthy lifestyle that is permanent and achievable for all Australian families.
Desi's motto is 'eat well, feel great and be inspired.... Tree of Life International is a new generation of nutrition!!'
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Michael Lawler
B.HlthSci.(Nut & Diet) / B.AppSci.(HMS) (Hons)
Principal Dietitian APD / Exercise Physiologist AEP
Michael is both an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) and an Exercise Physiologist (Hons) registered with the Australian Association of Exercise and Sports Science. With the combination of these two qualifications, Michael is ideally skilled to guide you to your health and fitness goals, helping you gain control of your eating habits and improving your energy levels through personalised diet and exercise advice. He specialises in sports nutrition, weight management and balancing healthy nutrition with exercise suitable to the individual across all ages.
Michael graduated in 2005 from Queensland University of Technology and began his career developing a successful practice with physiotherapy team Lifestyle Physical Therapies at Manly. During this time he has seen a diverse range of clients and assisted them in weight loss, core strength, multiple chronic conditions, sports nutrition, food intolerances, pediatric nutrition, pain management, post-op and workplace injury rehabilitation.
In 2007, Michael has joined Tree of Life Nutrition services, and is looking forward to helping you improve your health and reach your goals. The first step to taking ownership of your health and creating a new you is to arrange a dietetic and/or exercise consultation with Michael.
Michael has the clinical training to help you address:
- Biochemical disorders
- Rectify nutrient deficiencies
- Sports specific requirements
- Improve your diet and lifestyle
- Lose weight
- Manage and treat specific diagnosed illnesses*
- Improve energy levels
- Avoid illness and disease
- and put you back in control of your health.
Michael is enthusiastic, open and fun loving. Always ready to talk and try something new Michael’s interests are diverse and ever-widening.
Michael plays basketball competitively, enjoys going to the gym regularly and pushing his limits in endurance sports. When taking a break from these high energy activities, he likes bushwalking and multi-day hiking through beautiful wilderness, the wilder the better. He is planning to trek Torres Del Paine National Park in Patagonia in 2010 taking him through some of the world’s most dramatic scenery and extreme climates.
Michael’s love for active pursuits is matched by his love of cooking, the origin of much of his passion for nutrition. Growing up in a family of 3 boys, food was always a high priority, and now Michael enjoys cooking delicious meals from all nationalities and cuisines, and indulging in cheese, wine, and coffee.
Whilst Michael may seem to be ever-active, a little rest and relaxation every now and then is always on the cards, and if not enjoying the company of family and friends, then he'll be sitting in a cool breeze, listening to music and reading a book.
Michael's Motto: Tell me it can’t be done, and I’ll find a way.
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Amelia Webster
B.HlthSci.(Nut & Diet) / B.AppSci.(HMS)
Dietitian APD / Exercise Physiologist AEP 
The newest member of the Tree of Life team, Amelia is both a Dietitian and Exercise Physiologist. Amelia has a passion for helping her clients understand how to combine diet and exercise to achieve their goals. She is committed to providing her clients with personalised advice and supporting them in making lifelong changes.
Before beginning her career as a Dietitian/ Exercise Physiologist, Amelia worked as a Cardiac Scientist at a large Brisbane tertiary hospital where she developed the desire to help people prevent and manage chronic health conditions through realistic, personalised lifestyle modification programs. In addition to her work with Tree of Life Amelia works with a community health diabetes service where she assists clients with weight loss and in gaining control of their diabetes.
In her spare time Amelia enjoys relaxing with family and friends and is passionate about food and cooking. From a young age Amelia has loved playing and watching all sports.
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Tom Finta
Qualified Personal Trainer
Tom is an accredited personal trainer and has over 10 years of experience in coaching and training people to achieve various fitness goals. In his 20 years of history in martial arts and strength/endurance training he has encountered many challenges and developed a very positive spirit towards exercising and achieving goals.
As a personal trainer first in Europe then in Australia, Tom has helped many people to become healthier, fitter, stronger and last but not least a much happier person. He is always keen to think outside the box when it comes to training and understands that everyone approaches exercising differently. That’s why training programs need to be tailored to suit your needs.
Through his many years of training Tom has tried countless training methods and obtained a knowledge that enables him to get exceptional results in:
- weight loss
- body reshaping
- gaining lean muscle
- improving cardiovascular fitness
- flexibility and mobility
- rehabilitation
- improving sport performance
Tom spends his spare time learning more about training methods, nutrition and history. For recreation his choices are sky diving, motorcycle rides and hiking.
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Tracey Veivers
BA DipPsych MPsych (Sport & Exercise) MAPS
 Tracey Veivers has worked as a Psychologist since 1991. She has her own private practice (named Performance Perspectives) where she currently works with individuals providing a number of services including counselling for a variety of issues from depression to health management, as well as working with athletes and corporate executives with performance enhancement. Tracey is a consultant to a major health organisation and is based out of two Brisbane Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Centres. She has presented at international conferences and has publications in the SportsMed News, The Modern Athlete and Coach, the Triathlon and Multi-Sport and Weight Watchers magazines, having conducted research into varying topics such as performing under extreme conditions, attentional and interpersonal style, eating disorders and team cohesion. She has also regularly been quoted on television and in national newspapers on topical editorials. Furthermore, Tracey has been a regular guest lecturer in sport and exercise psychology and team/group processes at Queensland University of Technology since 2002 and James Cook University.
Toni Laskaris
Practice Manager
Toni has been working in General Practice for the past 14 years and this year joined the Tree of Life team. With 3 young children life is always busy and exciting for Toni. Toni and her husband take every opportunity to escape the big smoke and enjoy camping and caravanning with the kids.
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