Our Story
THE RECOVERY LAB STORY
At Recovery Lab Australia, our journey began with a profound realisation: there was a significant gap in recovery tools and resources available for women in professional and semi-professional sport. Despite their dedication and talent, many athletes were left to fend for themselves, leading to unnecessary injuries and fatigue that hindered their performance.
Witnessing this disparity, we were inspired to create a space where women could access effective recovery programmes tailored to their unique needs. Our mission was clear – to provide the support and tools necessary for these athletes to perform at their best, both physically and mentally.
From this vision, Recovery Lab was born. However, as we evolved, we recognised that our recovery protocols had the potential to benefit everyone. Every individual, whether an elite athlete, a busy professional, or someone managing everyday stresses, could harness our scientifically proven methods and tools for peak performance.
Today, Recovery Lab is committed to redefining recovery for all. Our self-care studio offers a comprehensive approach to proactive health management, redefining the way we recover from the demands of everyday life and physical training.
HOW IT ALL STARTED
At Recovery Lab Australia, our journey began with recognising a significant gap in recovery tools and resources for women in professional and semi-professional sport. Many talented athletes faced unnecessary injuries and fatigue due to a lack of support. Witnessing this disparity firsthand, we were inspired to create a space offering tailored recovery programmes to help these athletes perform at their best, both physically and mentally. This vision led to the birth of Recovery Lab.
OUR MISSION
When you know more, you can do more. Recovery Lab was forged from the desire to educate and redefine the way we recover from the demands of everyday life and physical training.
Education, growth and development is at the heart of everything we do. Our goal is for every client to understand the physical and mental mechanics of recovery. We want them to not only feel better, but also recognise how and why their performance and wellbeing can be improved and optimised.
Recovery Lab was built for the people, by the people, growing a community of like-minded individuals who are not only looking to improve their athletic or work performance, but to also relieve physical and mental fatigue from sport, work or everyday life.
RECOVERY ISN’T JUST FOR ATHLETES. IT’S FOR ANYONE WHO WANTS TO IMPROVE HOW THEY FEEL AND PERFORM.”
OUR VALUES
Let us help you change how you approach self-care, whether after an intense training program, a stressful work schedule, or a big day. We want to give you the tools and know-how to feel your best, so you can excel in your athletic pursuits, career, and personal life.
VISION
To be regarded as the pre-eminent, most effective recovery and self-care studios in Australia.
PURPOSE
We aim to redefine how you recover, refresh and revitalise your body and mind after physical training programs or the demands of everyday life. We give you the tools and know-how to perform at your peak, feel better and cope better in your athletic pursuits, career and personal life.
BELIEFS
INCLUSION
COMMUNITY
LIFESTYLE
KNOWLEDGE
ENVIRONMENT
THE PEOPLE BEHIND RECOVERY LAB
Daniel Harford
co-FOUNDER
Daniel spent 10 years making a career as a professional athlete in the AFL, playing for Hawthorn and Carlton. Unfortunately, the ultimate – a Premiership – alluded him. He has gone on to be a successful restaurateur in a small business with his sister as well as become an extremely popular and well respected sports broadcaster on TV and radio, currently hosting his own sports breakfast show on RSN927 in Melbourne. He was also the Senior Coach of the Carlton AFLW side for 5 seasons, taking them to a Grand Final in 2019.
Through his playing and coaching experience, he learnt the value and the merit of teamwork. It’s an ethos he continues to this day as the co-founder of Recovery Lab, ensuring that all who are in the business are driven by collective success as much as individual success. It is also through his time in the AFL that he learned the physical and psychological benefits of recovery. “When you know more, you can do more” – the Recovery Lab mantra was born out of this experience.
His passion for Recovery Lab being the place that everyone, regardless of their physical or mental state, can benefit from this mantra through the modalities on offer is the driving force behind his push for Recovery Lab’s significant impact on the community.
Daniel has been married to wife, Rebecca, for 21 years and they share their life with 2 amazing children and a gorgeous Labrador.
BEN SEYMOUR
Owner
A former professional rugby union player for Agen and Western Force, Ben is now a fitness entrepreneur, personal trainer, health advocate and endurance athlete.
Co-owner of Revl Training in Victoria, Ben’s personal training business is inspired to help people make significant lifestyle changes to encourage new levels of fitness, health and wellbeing.
A regular at endurance fitness events, Ben is well-versed in the benefits of an effective recovery program that compliments training regimes, work schedules and life’s challenges.
