Meet the Team
Egor Tropeano
RedTop Swims
As a former Italian international swimmer, sport has always been a major part of Egor’s life. He’s followed the black line for many more hours than the average swimmer and has experienced many highs and lows of the sport. Dedication to training goals, sleep patterns, nutritional targets and strength & conditioning as well as discipline regarding socialising, led him to enjoy significant success at a national level and represent his country in the 200 breaststroke at international meetings. Clearly he enjoys the practical side of swimming but also the theory – stroke mechanics in particular. Having seen many of his peers fall off the training wagon by either being burnt-out, losing interest or being pushed to the side-line, he has a true passion for coaching and helping swimmers of all abilities, so they can stay in the sport and achieve their own personal goals.
Christie Robson
RedTop Swims
Christie Robson is an Accredited Sports Dietitian, 3-time age-group Australian representative triathlete, a Mum, and lover of food!
Christie grew up in the pool, and has been swim-bike-running for over a decade. She began working with channel and marathon swimmers in 2017, and has supported over 200 successful swimmers across the various Ocean 7s, and other world marathon swims including Manhattan, Rottnest Island, Port to Pub, Derwent River swims, Lake Windermere, Around Jersey, Capri to Naples, and many more. As cliché as it sounds, Christie believes nutrition is the key to good performance – for your sports performance, for your mental performance, and for your performance in life! It’s not a “1 percenter” anymore.
She works with some incredible people across the globe. From everyday people doing extraordinary things, to elite athletes, Juniors with Olympic dreams, Ironman World Championship athletes and World Record holders.
Christie has worked with Jo (and RedTopSwim) since the beginning. We had two key parts to focus on: 1) the swim feeding plan, and 2) the daily nutrition to optimise health, goals and recovery from each swim.
Early on, we found a key feed plan that worked for Jo. This meant we had a simple 4-feed rotation plan which optimised her carbohydrate requirements, her carbohydrate types (getting a combination of glucose and fructose to optimise absorption and reduce GI stress), fluid needs (altered for various swims), taste preferences and electrolyte balance. This allowed us to tweak it for various swims and the conditions she would face. ie. increasing carbohydrates and reducing fluid for colder swims; and on the other hand, increasing fluids and electrolytes for warmer swims. We also factored in caffeine, pain relief and anti-nausea medications, and sports supplementation in the lead up to support her performance.
Miguel Camacho | Haraka
CrossFit Level 2 Trainer | Precision Nutrition Level 1 Coach
I have been a CrossFit and functional fitness coach for the past 10 years with a passion for helping people achieve their fitness goals through purposeful coaching and individualized mentorship.
Over the last two years, I have had the privilege of assisting Jo with her prehab and rehabilitation work during camp, as well as her off-season strength and conditioning. Throughout that time I have witnessed firsthand the dedication, discipline and professionalism she brings to every aspect of her training.
My coaching philosophy is built around creating sustainable progress, developing resilient athletes and helping individuals perform at their highest level both inside and outside of competition.
Emelyn | Bounceback
Physio
Every athlete has a goal. My role is to help them move better, perform stronger, and reach their full potential.
Working with Joanne, a dedicated long-distance swimmer, I take a holistic and personalized approach to support her performance in and out of the water. With over 15 years of experience in physiotherapy, I combine hands-on manual therapy techniques such as myofascial release, joint mobilization, dry needling, and cupping therapy to help reduce tension, improve mobility, and optimize recovery from the demands of intense training.
Each session is carefully designed around her individual needs. From promoting better movement patterns and increasing strength to addressing muscle imbalances and improving body awareness, every treatment is part of a comprehensive plan focused on enhancing performance and preventing injury.
I believe that true rehabilitation goes beyond treating symptoms—it’s about empowering the body to move efficiently, recover effectively, and perform at its best.
Watching athletes like Joanne progress toward their goals is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.
Move better. Recover smarter. Perform stronger.
Natalia | Bounceback
Remedial Therapist
Natalia is a Remedial Massage Therapist with over 10 years of international experience, supported by clinical training across Australia, the UK, and Brazil.
She specializes in women’s health, with particular expertise in Lipoedema and Diastasis Recti, while also offering advanced treatment techniques for muscle recovery, mobility, and pain relief.
Natalia works with Joanne to support her range of motion, recovery, and overall swimming performance. Her treatments focus especially on the upper body, including the chest, arms, and shoulders, using techniques such as trigger point therapy, deep tissue massage, IASTM, myofascial release, and cupping to help keep Joanne’s muscles moving and performing at their best.
Claire Clinton-Butler
Human Performance & Recovery Specialist | Head of Event Operations & Partnerships, United By Water
My work sits at the intersection of human performance, recovery and resilience, helping athletes, C-suite executives, entrepreneurs and high-performing individuals develop the physical, mental and energetic foundations required for sustained success.
As a yoga teacher, Yin specialist, Reiki Master and Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider, I bring more than 20 years of international experience supporting individuals in optimising performance, managing stress and enhancing long-term wellbeing.
For endurance and ultra-endurance athletes, efficient recovery, freedom of movement and long-term physical sustainability can be just as important as strength and conditioning. Through a combination of yoga, assisted stretching, breathwork, mindfulness and nervous system regulation, I help individuals improve mobility, increase flexibility, release accumulated muscular tension and optimise recovery from the demands of training, competition and everyday life.
The same principles apply to senior executives and business leaders operating under sustained pressure, where accumulated stress, physical tension and mental fatigue can affect focus, decision-making and overall effectiveness. Through mindful enquiry, breathwork, neuro-resilience and self-awareness practices, I help individuals develop greater emotional regulation, mental clarity, adaptability and confidence under pressure.
As Head of Event Operations & Partnerships for United By Water, I combine my passion for human performance with operational leadership, strategic partnership development and stakeholder engagement, helping bring together the sponsors, partners, communities and operational resources required to deliver a world-first endurance swimming initiative.
Kate: ‘Kate and Leyla to be my support team during the lead up to the swim and to be on the boat on swim day.’
Leyla: ?
