by Maughan Wellham
It’s not so much that recent Bond University Doctor of Physiotherapy graduate and elite thrower Isabella Simonelli’s career has come full circle.
It’s more that she’s stepping from one circle into another.
The 25-year-old is set to reshape her journey in athletics while beginning a professional career by making the switch from hammer to discus.
“It was just becoming a lot more accessible. There aren't many places to train hammer on the Gold Coast, and with starting work, discus made a lot more sense,” Simonelli said.
The move demands more than simply swapping equipment.
After years refining her hammer craft, Simonelli is now developing the specific timing and release technique required to make discus her own.
“I have a few little tricks and tips up my sleeve,” she said. “I listen to neuromuscular training sounds (audio used to mentally rehearse movement) and visualise the beat with the rhythm of the hammer.”
“I step in, say ‘thank you God’, appreciate the moment, and then I take two breaths in.”
Simonelli’s throwing journey began in Melbourne through Little Athletics, where she participated in a range of track and field events before specialising in throws.
“In Little Athletics, you always do every event,” Simonelli said. “I just always made nationals and states naturally for throws.”
That early connection with throwing eventually took her from local competition to the United States, where she competed at National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I level for four years while completing a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology.
When she returned to Australia, she arrived with a 58.06m personal best in the hammer – a mark that places her among the nation’s leading female performers.
She continued competing while finishing a Doctor of Physiotherapy at Bond, balancing placements, training and competition.
“I think my biggest life skill is organisation,” Simonelli said.
“I’d listen to my lectures on my beach walks or while I was recovering.”
That balance was tested throughout her time at uni, but it was also where Simonelli enjoyed one of her most memorable sporting moments.
After enduring a period where her preparation and progress was tested by injury, she entered UniSport Nationals without the pressure of chasing a result.
“I just went there to enjoy it,” she said.
That freedom helped her into a silver medal.
The result mattered, but it was the environment around it that made the moment memorable.
“That’s when I realised I definitely couldn’t leave sport,” she said.
“One of my fondest memories was sitting with my Bond teammates, sharing the highs and lows of competition. Everyone was cheering each other on.”
Now, Simonelli begins her professional career as a physiotherapist with Brisbane-based Vitalis Physiotherapy after seven years balancing university study with elite training and competition.
She’s excited about what’s ahead.
“I’m so ready to leave that student life behind.”
Surrounded by family, including her rarely emotional ‘Nonna’, Simonelli’s graduation became a moment to celebrate the journey behind the degree.
Her next goal is building momentum, targeting bronze-level competitions across the Australian athletics calendar.
“This year is about making a name for myself in discus and getting more comfortable within the event,” she said.
“I want to make all the Chemist Warehouse competitions my main focus.”
Looking further ahead, Simonelli hopes the two paths she is now walking – athletics and physiotherapy - can eventually converge on the biggest stage.
“I’d love to be involved in the Brisbane 2032 Olympics,” Simonelli said.
“Whether that’s as an athlete or a physio, I’d love to be part of it.”