FOUNDER & CEO

Adam Drake established the Balanced Choice Program in 2014. With over 30 years’ experience working with youth, Adam combined the training from his Bachelor of Arts with a double theatre major from Griffith University with his Certificates III and IV in fitness. He used his knowledge and experience of both industries to develop a unique process that helps connect individuals with others, strengthen fitness within and inspire people to find that path that leads to the best version of themselves. Adam was shortlisted for Northern Territory’s Australian of the Year twice, in 2025 and 2019, for his extraordinary achievements working with people in the justice system, remote communities and across the Northern Territory. He has worked alongside many organisations throughout Australia and internationally and is recognised as a national leader in community engagement. One of his life highlights was working alongside Father Greg Boyle in Los Angeles - the founder of Homeboy Industries.

MANAGING DIRECTOR – VICTORIA & SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Jason Macdonald has been with Balanced Choice for over seven years and now owns and manages the South Australian and Victorian branches. What started as a job quickly became a passion, driven by his commitment to helping people become the best version of themselves.

Jason holds a Certificate III in Fitness and has built strong expertise delivering wellbeing and fitness programs across Australia. He combines practical, hands-on experience with evidence-based learning and has almost completed his double degree in Physiology and Psychology, with a minor in Mathematics, at Monash University.

He has worked extensively with young people through United Nations Youth, Variety, The Children’s Charity, and various other community youth leadership roles. His community work has also taken him overseas, volunteering in orphanages and community programs in India and Malaysia also.

Living with a heart condition for several years shaped Jason’s outlook and reinforced his appreciation for life and connection. He strongly believes in finding the good in people, especially those facing adversity.

Outside of work, Jason values family, fitness, learning, sports, chess, travel, and loves building genuine connections with anyone he can.

PROGRAM FACILITATOR

Born in Katherine and raised in Darwin, Brendon is a proud Kamu man from the Daly River region. He is a mental health ambassador for the I Am Here Foundation and has worked as a Balanced Choice facilitator since 2023. Brendon excels in fitness with a passion for boxing. He has delivered programs in youth detention centres, remote communities and as an individual mentor for through-care programs supporting the transition from detention back into the community. He does exceptional work one-on-one in supporting young men to develop the discipline and drive to adhere to their values in order to make better decisions. Brendon is inspired to look after young brothers/men, helping them get healthier in order to make the community stronger for the next generation.  

PROGRAM FACILITATOR

Connor was born and raised in Darwin and has been working with Balanced Choice since 2021. His unique combination of skills sees him integrate a Certificate 3 in Fitness with a Bachelor of Networking and Cybersecurity from Flinders University. Connor holds a strong passion for Technologies and Digital media. While Connor has extensive experience delivering Balanced Choice in-person programs in youth detention centres, schools and service organisations in the Northern Territory and South Australia, he also specialises in applying the principles of Balanced Choice to online engagement. In 2025 Connor developed a program in partnership with the Northern Territory School of Distance Education to integrate gaming and online interaction to support young people disconnected from education.

PROGRAM FACILITATOR

Connor joined Balanced Choice to pursue his passion for physical fitness and the desire to help people improve their physical and social wellbeing. A qualified plumber who spent eight years working across Australia, Connor has a long-standing commitment to fitness. When he was sixteen he spent three months playing football in Spain before transitioning to body building. Connor is currently completing his Certificates 3 & 4 in physical fitness. His work with Balanced Choice has seen him delivering programs in Youth Justice centres across Victoria, using fitness to build connection and align the young people with values that empower them to make positive decisions.

ADVISOR & ELDER

Peter Hayward was the Program Director of the Masters of Strategic Foresight at Swinburne University and his PhD looked at the intersection of Futures Thinking in individuals and groups with psychological and cultural development. Peter’s nephew, Adam Drake, travelled with Peter on that intellectual journey. On the golf course, watching sport together or over cups of coffee, Adam was immersed in Peter’s intellectual domain: Hope Theory, Images of the Future, Values and Ethics. Adam refers to Uncle Pete as ‘a library’. As the company has grown, Peter’s involvement has grown with it. Post the university career Peter has become more integrated with Balanced Choice, training staff, testing established processes and instigating continued learning and development. All Balanced Choice staff now have a card they use at the library of ‘Uncle Pete’.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Fraser joined Balanced Choice in February 2025. For the past 30 years Fraser has worked in management, community engagement and professional theatre. From 2009 - 2025 he was the Artistic Director & CEO of the Australian Theatre for Young People, the national youth theatre company based in Sydney. Prior to that he ran companies in Queensland and South Australia. Fraser is best known for his work leading youth engagement in the performing arts. He has brokered partnerships across Government, philanthropy, NGO’s and the private sector to deliver programs that connect the arts with social impact. In 2025 the Australian Performing Arts Centre’s Association presented him with a national IMPACT Award for his “significant contribution youth arts in Australia over 30 years”. Fraser has experience in delivering programs from remote communities and disadvantaged schools to working with the nation’s flagship institutions and cultural festivals.

PROGRAM FACILITATOR

Jaimes combines decades of experience in the performing arts, with a focus on music and movement, along with a passion for fitness and leadership skills developed running a small business. He has a Bachelor of Sonic Arts from Adelaide University followed by 20 years’ delivering projects and facilitating workshops in the performing arts.  Jaimes specialises in activities that explore how movement and gesture impact interpersonal communication and connection. He combines his creative expertise with a down-to-earth, practical communication style honed over nine years running a home maintenance business. Jaimes is passionate about delivering programs that enhance the wellbeing of young people.

PROGRAM FACILITATOR

Ollie has been delivering programs with Balanced Choice since 2019. He brings an extraordinary range of skills and life experiences to his work with the company, with a Bachelor in Exercise Sports Science from Charles Darwin University combined with a certificate 4 in Community Service Work, certificates 3 & 4 in Correctional Practices and a certificate 3 in Fitness.

Ollie ran a resident Boarding House for remote indigenous students in Darwin for over nine years as well as spending five years as a correctional officer and four years as a gym instructor. Ollie is from a Timorese background, born and raised in Portugal before moving to Darwin as a teenager. In addition to delivering programs with Balanced Choice Ollie remains very active in community volunteering and support and is the proud father of two teenage daughters.

RESEARCH AND REPORTING

Peta holds a Graduate Diploma of Information Management and a Bachelor of Arts (Literature and Media Studies), and brings more than 20 years’ experience as a librarian across public, education, and corporate sectors. She has developed a strong foundation in communication, community engagement, and connecting people with the information and support they need. These strengths now underpin her contribution to the Balanced Choice team, where she helps support, report, and celebrate the impact of the program. Peta has enduring commitment to service, learning and storytelling that guides her work. She oversees the reporting requirements of Balanced Choice and works with the Program Facilitators to ensure their program evaluations meeting the specific needs of our diverse partner organisations.

PROGRAM FACILITATOR

With a Certificate III and IV in Fitness and a Certificate IV in Design, ??? brings together her passions for movement, creativity, and personal growth. With over five years of experience as a personal trainer, her mission is simple: to help people uncover their potential and become the best version of themselves. She believes creativity is a powerful tool for self-expression and self-discovery, helping people step out of their heads and into the present moment. As a committed powerlifter, she loves testing her limits and exploring the full potential of her strength. She views fitness as more than movement, it’s a foundation for discipline, resilience, and self-care. supporting others in taking care of both their bodies and minds.

PROGRAM FACILITATOR

Sam was born with a rare disorder called "Klippel Trenaunay Weber Syndrome", a congenital condition that impacted the blood vessels on his left leg.  Driven by a passion for exercise, Sam has consistently challenged his physical limitations throughout his life with an active involvement in sports including football, cricket and boxing. As a Program Facilitator he brings extensive experience in physical fitness and exercise. Sam spent four years in the army cadets, where he gained important leadership skills and an understanding of what it means to be a role model. When Sam got the opportunity to join Balanced Choice as a facilitator, he knew he could help others find their full potential and break through barriers, whether that's physical, social, or cultural.

PROGRAM FACILITATOR

Born and raised in Darwin, Shanae first engaged with Balanced Choice as a youth participant in the Northern Territory Youth Round Table, where she demonstrated strong leadership as Communications and Marketing Coordinator. She is a graduate of Charles Darwin University with a Bachelor of Secondary Education and was awarded a scholarship from The Order of Australia Association Foundation in recognition of her leadership and community contribution.

Shanae has founded and led youth initiatives including the GG Social Club, served as an NT Youth Week Ambassador, and currently coordinates Community Ambassadors and the Duke of Edinburgh Award program. She also runs Just Peachy Productions, working as an emcee and facilitator, further strengthening her communication and engagement skills. Shanae brings together strong teaching pedagogy and authentic youth connection to embody Balanced Choice’s principles of personal engagement and learned optimism.

ACCOUNTS AND FINANCE MANAGER

Shane joined Balanced Choice in 2021 to oversee the company’s financial operations. While he has held many roles in his working life, prior to joining Balanced Choice Shane spent nine years working in the justice system as a correctional officer. He brings to the role years of experience engaging people experiencing disadvantage and in conflict with the law and has a passion to see positive change in the systems that exist to support them.

PROGRAM FACILITATOR

Born and raised in Darwin, Yvonne has family connection to the Jinglii mob in Elliot through her grandmother. Her exceptional facilitation skills combine fitness, the arts and health. Yvonne completed three years training as a nurse before being recruited full time as a support worker, where she discovered her passion for community engagement. She was then recruited to engage young people in fitness through the NRL’s community outreach program before she was approached to join Balanced Choice. Yvonne has extensive experience working in remote communities in the Northern Territory, in primary and secondary schools, with high-risk youth struggling with their mental health and in delivering through-care programs with the NDIS. Yvonne thrives in community engagement and is happiest when delivering programs in remote Northern Territory communities. She is currently balancing her Balanced Choice programs with parenting two little boys.