Meet Catherine and Jen
Catherine George
Co-Founder, Physiotherapist
Qualifications: Bachelor of Physiotherapy, Certificate of Proficiency: Breathing, Performance and Rehabilitation (AUT)
Bradcliff Method certified
Professional Memberships: Physiotherapy Board Registered Physiotherapist, Member of Physiotherapy New Zealand, Member of Physiotherapy New Zealand Cardiorespiratory and mental health special interest groups and a member of the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand.
Catherine hails from Waihōpai Invercargill and lives in Ōtautahi Christchurch. Catherine trained at the University of Otago Te Whare Wānanga o Otāgo and as a cardio-respiratory physiotherapist has over 20 years of experience both in the public and private sector both here in Aotearoa New Zealand, Ahitereiria Australia and Ingarangi England .
Catherine is the director physiotherapist of The Lung Mechanic. She has a vast knowledge base and experience assessing and treating children, youth and adults and encouraging self-management of breathing (respiratory) conditions and for those living with post-viral conditions including Long COVID and is a sought after speaker for webinars and education sessions on the topic. She works closely with Canterbury Private Respiratory Specialists.
She has four delightful children and a Dachshund named Vince. If Catherine is not at home with her children she can be found on the river paddling a dragon boat and supports her local community as a member of the Board of trustees at a local school. She also gained her ATCL in speech and drama (a long time ago…..).
Jen Mepham
Co-Founder, Physiotherapist
Qualifications: Bsc(hons)Physiotherapy, Post Graduate Certificate: Clinical exercise (Trinity College, Dublin).
Bradcliff Method certified.
Professional Memberships: Physiotherapy Board Registered Physiotherapist, Member of Physiotherapy New Zealand, member of Physiotherapy New Zealand Cardiorespiratory special interest group and member of the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand.
Jen was born in raised in London, England Rānana Ingarangi and trained out in the West Country at Physiotherapy school at the University of the West of England. Over ten years ago Jen arrived in Aotearoa New Zealand to work at Dunedin Public Hospital and despite a brief but delightful relocation to Papakura for three years, Ōtepoti Dunedin has been home for Jen and her family.
Jen is a cardio-respiratory physiotherapist with over 15 years experience. Jen was privileged to be invited to be a member of the Expert Advisory Group for Long COVID and contributed to the development of the national guidelines. In 2025 Jen co-authored a chapter and contributed to a second chapter of The Rehabilitation and Management of of Long COVID A Handbook for Clinical Practice (Editors Danielle Hitch and Joanne Wrench).
Jen is the director physiotherapist of The OxyJen Physio in Dunedin. She has experience working with people with Long term breathing conditions, breathing pattern disorder and those with post viral conditions, including Long COVID. Jen teaches on the undergraduate physiotherapy programme at the University of Otago Te Whare Wānanga o Otāgo.
Outside of physiotherapy Jen is a recreational gymnastics coach and is slowly working her way through judging and coaching qualifications. Her passion is adapting systems and processes so no one is excluded. Jen is happiest on or in the water and chasing sunsets on her bike.
Catherine and Jen
Colleagues and Friends
Both Catherine and Jen have worked in both hospital and community exercise class settings. Jen and Catherine have also worked the same role but about 4 years apart. We feel we are destined to work together.
Catherine and Jen have been friends for almost ten years. With a shared physiotherapists appreciation for all things heart and lungs we have shared many dinners, trips and holidays together. We recognized the need for accessible information to support people on their journey to wellness or recovery. From a shared passion for supporting people in the long COVID experience, Breathability was born with a goal to reach those who need the information but may not be living in our home cities.
Our goal is to share with you research based information to help you manage your symptoms and live the best life you can. We deliver this information in affordable packages that are easy to access and simple to understand. If you are here for the first time, thanks for joining us, if you have been here before- welcome back.