The Illawarra entrepreneur reshaping cancer care with exercise-first approach
She won Illawarra Women in Business, Business Woman of the Year. This is how she did it- and it includes pixie dust.
Corrimal physiotherapist and entrepreneur Kylie Moffitt is challenging the nation’s cancer treatment model, arguing that the health system is missing a critical opportunity to intervene earlier.
Moffitt, founder of PhysioHealth Corrimal and newly crowned Illawarra Women in Business, Business Woman of the Year, is the architect of the CanConquer, a cancer rehabilitation Program.
She says exercise should be embedded into cancer care from the moment of diagnosis. “We have a real opportunity to change the trajectory of cancer care in the Illawarra before treatment even starts,” she says.
“We are tirelessly working to embed exercise oncology into standard care and cancer treatment in the Illawarra. Everyone deserves that opportunity.”
Her approach flips the traditional model of rehabilitation on its head. Instead of waiting until patients have endured the physical toll of chemotherapy and radiation, her program builds strength before treatment begins. “We encourage people to start strengthening as soon as they’re diagnosed,” she said.
“Too often I hear from patients, ‘I wish I’d known earlier.’ Earlier could have changed everything.”
Research shows that targeted exercise can slow tumour growth, improve treatment tolerance and protect long-term heart health.
Speaking at the IWIB lunch at Wollongong Golf Club, she argued that exercise-based prehabilitation should be embedded as a standard part of oncology care, a move she says could dramatically improve patient outcomes and reduce long-term healthcare costs.
“When people understand its power, we can help patients recover with strength, dignity, and have a better outcome,” she says.
The Illawarra entrepreneur built the business while raising three young children. The early risk paid off: within six months, she had expanded to a team of eight, and within three years, she was recognised as an outstanding business leader.
Moffitt explained how her cancer rehabilitation program integrates targeted exercise into oncology care. It has profound outcomes: patients who build muscle and cardiovascular strength before and during treatment not only tolerate chemotherapy better but may also experience improved survival rates.
“When we contract our spinal muscles, our muscles act like hormone-releasing organs. They send out wonderful proteins called myosin into the bloodstream. And these act like healing messengers,” she said.
“They’ve been shown to slow cancer cells' growth down, reduce how far and fast cancer spreads, and even trigger cancer cell death through very powerful biological pathways.”
PhysioHealth Corrimal has grown from a single physiotherapy clinic to a multi-service business encompassing oncology programs, pediatric and adolescent care, Parkinson’s support, and a headache clinic.
Her leadership philosophy is grounded in what she calls the “secret sauce” of her business: love, trust, and pixie dust. While unconventional language for a business, Moffitt argues it’s a formula that works.
“People never forget how you made them feel,” she said.
Movers and Shakers
Former IRT CEO Patrick Reid has been named as Chief Operating Officer at not-for-profit competitor Uniting NSW/ACT.
According to sector publication The Weekly Source, Reid said the move aligns with his values.
“Uniting’s bold mission to disrupt entrenched disadvantage and lift communities aligns perfectly with my own values and experience," he said.
“I look forward to working with our dedicated people, using data, digital innovation and disciplined financial stewardship to deliver high-quality services that change lives - today and for the long haul.”
Hot Ticket
Jelena Dokic. Yes, that Jelena, the former tennis player and presenter, is coming to Wollongong to speak to an intimate audience at The Fraternity Club. We’ve heard that tickets are selling fast, so get your order in quickly. You can find the details here at the Illawarra Women In Business website.
Upcoming events
Have you dusted off the black tie yet? It’s an Illawarra Connection week next week, and Adam Leto, CEO of the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue, will be offering insights into regional growth and connectivity.
You can find out more about this event and others throughout August and September in our networking list.
Did you read?
All the finalists in every category of the 2025 IMB Illawarra Business Awards
How many people visit Wollongong's foreshore of a weekend? You'll be surprised
Illawarra jobs expo seeks to bridge critical skills shortage
Next-gen leaders show up for Young Professionals Network launch
Ok, so you read this far. We’re impressed - so impressed, we ask that you let other people know how much you enjoyed this article.