Amanda Oakes-Cornellissen is a South Africa–based Physiotherapist with 24 years of clinical experience. Her professional journey reflects a strong commitment to preventative health and evidence-based lifestyle interventions. In 2016, she completed the CHIP (Complete Health Improvement Program) Facilitator’s Course at Sedaven, South Africa, which further shaped her interest in lifestyle-focused healthcare.

Amanda completed the Graduate Diploma in Lifestyle Medicine through Avondale University in 2018. Building on this foundation, she went on to complete a Master’s degree in Lifestyle Medicine in 2022 under the leadership of Dr Darren Morton, utilising The Lift Project as a lifestyle medicine intervention tool. The research team’s findings were published in Frontiers in Psychology in 2023.

She is actively involved in the leadership of the South African Lifestyle Medicine Association (SALMA), where she serves as Executive Secretary and assists in mentoring health professionals seeking accreditation in Lifestyle Medicine. In addition, Amanda is a qualified Health and Wellness Coach and runs an online coaching practice, supporting clients in achieving positive, sustainable lifestyle changes in alignment with Lifestyle Medicine principles.

Amanda began her PhD in 2026, investigating a lifestyle approach to clergy wellbeing, specifically assessing the impact of The Life Project on stress, anxiety, and sustainable behaviour change among Seventh-day Adventist pastors in South Africa.