Meet the Experts
The Sports Excellence Hub, Expert Sessions are:
-
Performance & Training
-
Physiotherapy
-
Psychology
-
Fitness & Wellness
Duration: 20 minutes| Ώρες: 12:00-13:00 & 19:00-20:00
Performance & Training
During the meeting, topics related to athletic performance, training planning, and the effective use of assessment data in practice can be discussed. Participants may seek guidance on improving endurance, managing training load, goal setting, preparation for road or trail running races, interpretation of ergometric assessment results, and how these can be translated into a more effective and safe training plan
The meeting is addressed to athletes of all levels, coaches, and individuals who wish to better understand how assessment, experience, and scientific coaching are connected and can be transformed into meaningful guidance for performance improvement and long-term athletic development.
Performance & Training: Dimitrios Theodorakakos
Dimitrios Theodorakakos is the Program Director of Sports Excellence and a Physical Education Teacher with postgraduate specialization in the maximization of athletic performance.
He is a retired officer of the Hellenic Navy (Underwater Demolition Teams), and has had a long-standing career in competitive sport. He is a Balkan medalist and Greek Marathon Champion, as well as a multiple Greek Champion and World Cup Winner in Trail/SkyRunning.
He is a certified coach registered with the Greek General Secretariat of Sports (registration number: AZ913) specializing in long-distance road running, trail running, and triathlon, with significant achievements by his athletes at national and international level. He has also served as a track and field coach at the Hellenic Air Force NCO Academy and the Hellenic Military Nursing Academy during the academic years 2021–2022 and 2022–2023.
At Sports Excellence, he combines his high-performance athletic experience with scientific assessment and applied coaching, supporting athletes and exercisers in their journey toward athletic development and long-term improvement.
Physiotherapy
The aim of the meeting is to provide evidence-based guidance on therapeutic exercise, musculoskeletal health, sports injury prevention, and safe return to activity. Through a brief but focused discussion, participants can receive practical advice tailored to their needs, medical history, goals, and functional level. Topics that may be discussed during the meeting include:
- Guidance on the safe introduction or adaptation of exercise, particularly for individuals with musculoskeletal limitations, pain, or a history of injury
- Advice on the prevention and rehabilitation of sports injuries, with emphasis on safe return to training, sport, and daily activities
- Guidance on the safe application of exercise for people with chronic conditions, aiming to improve functionality, physical fitness, and quality of life
- Management of musculoskeletal complaints, such as low back, neck, knee, or shoulder pain, with practical recommendations for movement, exercise, and self-management
- Answers to personal questions regarding rehabilitation, therapeutic exercise, injury prevention, and returning to a more active lifestyle
The meeting is intended for individuals who want to move with greater safety and confidence, start or adapt exercise according to their needs, receive guidance after an injury or surgery, or improve their functionality, physical fitness, and quality of life through safe and evidence-based principles.
Physiotherapy: Apostolοs Skouras
Apostolos Skouras is a physiotherapist and Scientific Associate at the Sports Excellence Center of the 1st Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, at “ATTIKON” University General Hospital.
His clinical and research work focuses on therapeutic exercise for people with chronic diseases, the prevention and rehabilitation of sports injuries, and musculoskeletal physiotherapy. He holds an MSc in “Exercise and Health” from the School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, and has also completed a specialized training certificate in the implementation of therapeutic exercise programmes for people with cancer from the same institution.
Since 2026, he has served as a Clinical Instructor in the Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy training programme of the Panhellenic Physiotherapists’ Association (Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapy – OMT), which is recognized by the International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapists (IFOMPT).
His scientific work includes more than 20 publications in international peer-reviewed journals, conference presentations, and invited lectures on therapeutic exercise, rehabilitation, and sports injuries.
Psychology
Whether you are an athlete, an exerciser, a parent, an adolescent or simply someone looking to perform at your best, the mind plays a critical role in performance, wellbeing, and everyday functioning.
Book a one-to-one session with our sport psychology expert and gain practical, evidence-based strategies tailored to your needs. During your session, you will have the opportunity to explore techniques for building psychological resilience, managing stress and pressure, improving emotional regulation, and learning breathing and relaxation strategies that can be applied both in sport and daily life.
For athletes, this session also offers individualized guidance on optimizing performance psychology, strengthening confidence and focus, coping with competition pressure, and designing a personalized mental training plan to support long-term development and consistent performance.
During the session, topics may include:
- Support for athletes regarding pressure management, performance, concentration, and psychological preparation.
- Learning practical techniques for mental resilience and stress management in demanding environments.
- Managing stress and emotions in everyday life, education, or sports settings.
- Enhancing self-confidence, self-regulation, and adaptability.
- Supporting children and adolescents in matters related to emotional development, behavior, and daily functioning.
- Developing communication, collaboration, and effective coping skills.
- Answering questions related to mental health, wellbeing, and performance.
Psychology: Flora Papitsi
Flora Papitsi is a licensed Sport Psychologist with a strong academic foundation and a passion for promoting mental health through sport. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Sport Psychology at the University of Hertfordshire, building on a Master’s degree from the University of Portsmouth and a BA in Psychology from Deree-The American College of Greece.
Her research focuses on psychological and physiological measures of training load in sports. She is the Administration Manager of Sports Excellence and a Mobile Medical Units Psychologist at Regeneration & Progress, where she manages operations, oversees scientific protocols, and offers psychological support. She also teaches statistics and analysis of data in Psychology.
She collaborates with national sports federations, providing psychological support to athletes and conducting educational seminars for coaches and parents. Ms. Papitsi has coordinated European-funded projects focused on adapted physical activity. Her work has been presented at national and international conferences, reflecting her active engagement in the scientific community and her commitment to advancing applied sport psychology.
Psychology: Maria Nikoleta Tsimpisi
Maria Nikoleta Tsimpisi is a Psychologist at Sports Excellence, with scientific and professional interests in mental resilience, psychological empowerment, stress management, and the support of children, adolescents, and families in demanding environments.
She graduated with distinction from the Department of Psychology of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and holds a professional license to practice psychology. She is currently training in Systemic Psychotherapy and Counseling, working through a systemic perspective with patients living with chronic conditions, children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders, and individuals experiencing difficulties related to excessive engagement with digital environments. In addition, she is actively involved as a volunteer at the Child Safety Care Unit “ELIZA” of the 3rd Pediatric Clinic of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, based at “ATTIKON” University Hospital, where she follows cases related to child neglect and abuse.
Her approach is grounded in evidence-based principles and focuses on the development of mental resilience, emotional regulation, and self-awareness skills. At the same time, she places particular emphasis on the systemic approach, recognizing the important role of the family and the wider support environment in the development and wellbeing of children and adolescents.
Fitness & Wellness
The aim of the session is to provide evidence-based guidance on exercise, physical fitness, and overall wellness. Through a brief but focused discussion, participants have the opportunity to receive practical advice tailored to their personal needs, goals, and current fitness level.
During the session, topics may include:
- Personalized exercise guidance, according to each individual’s fitness level, available time, and personal goals.
- Improvement of physical fitness, with emphasis on aerobic capacity, muscle strengthening, mobility, and functional ability.
- Safe integration of exercise into daily life, with practical strategies for gradually increasing physical activity and reducing sedentary behavior.
- Wellness and healthy lifestyle advice, related to energy levels, recovery, exercise consistency, and overall quality of life.
- Goal setting and motivation, helping participants define realistic, measurable, and achievable goals.
- Answers to personal questions related to fitness, training, health-oriented exercise, and maintaining a more active lifestyle.
The session is designed for individuals who wish to take the first step toward a more active and balanced lifestyle, as well as for those who already exercise and would like to improve their approach based on safe and evidence-based principles.
Fitness & Wellness: Konstantina Karnarou
Konstantina Karnarou is an Exercise Science and Physical Fitness Expert at Sports Excellence, with scientific and professional interests in therapeutic exercise, health-oriented exercise, physical fitness improvement, and the promotion of a more active lifestyle.
She graduated from the School of Physical Education and Sports Science of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, specializing in “Fitness and Health”, and holds a Master’s degree in “Exercise and Health” from the School of Medicine. Her experience in competitive track and field, particularly in sprinting events, also contributed to her later involvement in coaching young athletes.
Her approach is based on evidence-based principles and focuses on the safe, realistic, and sustainable integration of exercise into daily life, according to each individual’s needs, fitness level, and goals.
Fitness & Wellness: Eleni-Maria Kaframani
Eleni-Maria Kaframani is an Exercise Science and Physical Fitness Expert at Sports Excellence, with scientific and professional interests in therapeutic exercise, exercise for health, the improvement of physical fitness, and the promotion of an active lifestyle, particularly in clinical populations.
She graduated from the School of Physical Education and Sports Science of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, specializing in “Fitness and Health”. During her studies, she focused on the biological adaptations induced by exercise, their role in human health and physical fitness, and the design and implementation of therapeutic exercise programs for clinical populations. In 2026, she completed her postgraduate studies in the “Exercise and Health” Master’s Program of the School of Medicine of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.
Her approach is based on evidence-based principles and focuses on the safe, realistic, and sustainable integration of exercise into daily life, according to each individual’s needs, health status, fitness level, and personal goals.
