Meet Our Dietitians & Sports Nutritionists | REAL Nutrition
Meet the Team Behind Your Healthier Tomorrow
Our evidence-based approach, and how we’re making quality nutrition accessible for individuals, families, and NDIS participants across Australia.
Practitioners
Matthew Rigoni
Head Dietitian (APD) & Sports Nutritionist
About Matthew
Matthew is a Dietitian (APD) with a passion for prevention and management of chronic diseases, weight loss/ gain support, sports performance nutrition, and rehabilitation nutrition support. With a insatiable thirst for knowledge, Matthew continually strives to improve his practice and knowledge on all aspects of health.
With experience in body composition, longevity, chronic disease health management and further training in IBS/ gut health, Matthew has a habit of getting personally invested in his clients journeys, providing ongoing support and realistic, achievable plans to reach their goals.
Since attending university and graduating with a Bachelor in Human Nutrition and a Master of Dietetics Practice, Matthew continually endeavours to gain further knowledge and proficiency, incorporating them into his own private practice and providing a flexible and tailored experience aimed at addressing situations with a long term and sustainable approach.
In his spare time, Matthew loves to spend time with family and delve into all areas of automotive performance, tinkering on cars and enjoying a good cruise with his mates. Oh, and of course, will absolutely devour a wood-fired pizza.
Qualifications
– Master Of Dietetics Practice (La Trobe)
– Bachelor of Human Nutrition (La Trobe)
– Further training in the use of low FODMAP for IBS (Monash)
– Sport Nutrition Course (Sport Dietitians Australia)
Funding eligibility:
– Medicare (via GP referral + gap fee)
– Private consults and Health Insurance
– Department Of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA)
– Work-cover
– NDIS (unregistered provider)
Max Dennehy
Dietitian & Bodybuilding coach
About Max
Max is a qualified dietitian with a specific passion for sports nutrition and weight loss/gain support. Max has had an incredible passion in nutrition and fitness for over 7 years and has continued learning and bettering himself throughout this period.
He has trained as a competitive bodybuilder in that time with aspirations of taking it to the big stage one day. Max has a wealth of experience in a variety of settings including treating clients with goals to improve their competitive sports alienations, chronic disease outcomes and manage weight loss/gain goals.
Max prides himself on being able to deliver high quality results whilst ensuring balance and stability can be maintained in every clients life, no matter their goal.
Qualifications
– Master Of Dietetics Practice (La Trobe)
– Bachelor of Human Nutrition (La Trobe)
Funding eligibility:
– Private consults and Health Insurance (coverage variable)
Emma Westlake
Accredited Sports Nutritionist
About Emma
Emma is a Nutritionist, Accredited Sports Nutritionist and is currently studying a Master of Dietetic Practice.
Emma is known for her caring and compassionate approach, supporting clients with tailored nutritional care to improve overall health, wellbeing and performance. Emma began her nutrition career studying Biomedical Science, ensuring her advice is always evidence-based and truth-led.
Emma has worked alongside High Performance teams within AFL, AFLW and Pathways programs. She has a love of sports, training at state and national level for athletics, rugby 7s and basketball. She also has experience in triathlons and distance running, competing in various marathons and ultra marathons.
Through her involvement in sports, Emma has had her fair share of injuries. As a result, she has a strong interest in the role of nutrition in not only optimising performance, but in injury prevention, recovery and rehabilitation.
Qualifications
– Master of Dietetic Practice (student; Australian Catholic University)
– Bachelor of Food and Nutrition (La Trobe University)
– Bachelor of Applied Science (Biomedical Science) (RMIT University)
– Certificate in Applied Sports Nutrition (Sports Nutrition Association)
– Level 1 Anthropometry (ISAK)
Funding eligibility:
– Private consults and Health Insurance (coverage variable)
Story
Meet Mat -Your Accredited Dietitian (APD)
Mat holds a Bachelor of Nutrition and Master’s in Dietetics and is an Accredited Practicing Dietitian (APD) with Dietitians Australia. His qualifications ensure you receive evidence-based advice that meets the highest professional standards while remaining practical and realistic for your everyday life.
As an Accredited Practicing NDIS Dietitian in Eltham, Mat has worked across diverse settings including hospitals, community health centers, and private practice.
His expertise spans clinical nutrition, NDIS support, workplace wellness, sport nutrition performance and helping individuals navigate complex dietary requirements with confidence and clarity.
There is no shortage of nutrition information online (some great, some not so much). Matthew takes pride in staying at the cutting edge of nutrition science and ensuring that the nuance of each individual situation is accounted for.
From micronutrient adequacy to supplementation to easy health interventions, Mat tailores each health strategy to your unique situation.
Whether you are looking to optimise your sport performance and body composition or maximise healthspan longevity, Mat avoid the cookie cutter approach and tailor each recommendation to achieving your goals.
If you’re looking for a quick fix, we’re not be the right service for you.
Mat prioritises long term, sustainable health strategies that fit into your life to enable compounding health benefits for a long life with sustained health.
With experience at Australias leading healthspan, longevity company Everlab, Matthew prioritises high ROI health strategies that provide great value to our health personally tailored to your goals.
Nutrition can be an endless sea of grey information with very few black and white answers.
This can make it easy to get mentally trapped in a world revolving only around your food and nutrition.
While we do not seek people with active disordered eating patterns, we take pride in acknowledging, respecting and supporting a healthy relationship with food that works towards our goals.
Mat and the REAL team take great pride in being actively at the cutting edge of organ health and medical nutrition therapy.
Diabetes, PCOS, cancer and alzheimers prevention, gut health and osteoporosis are some of the key conditions where we aim to go above and beyond the current text books, well into the latest evidence of best practice.
These conditions are often life long or life impacting. Our nutrition strategies are tailored to your life and designed to be sustainable, realistic and supporting your health for the long-term
What sets Mat apart is his genuine understanding that sustainable health changes happen through small, consistent steps rather than dramatic overhauls. He combines his professional expertise with a warm, non-judgmental approach that puts clients at ease, making even the most overwhelming nutrition concerns feel manageable.
No one diet fits all. Matthew believes nutrition should be individually tailored, easy and realistic so you can enjoy more out of your life!
Making quality nutrition accessible, practical, and sustainable for every individual's unique journey
Our approach
Evidence-Based Solutions
All recommendations are grounded in current nutrition science, ensuring you receive reliable, proven strategies tailored.
Realistic & Sustainable Changes
We focus on building habits that fit your lifestyle, making gradual improvements that stick rather than quick fixes that fade.
Collaborative Partnership
Your input, preferences, and goals drive every recommendation. We work together to create solutions that feel right for you.
Certifications & Associations
Maintaining Excellence in Nutrition Care
This commitment ensures you always receive the most current, evidence-based nutrition guidance available.
