What’s it like to be an Exercise Physiologist?

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”2291″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]First question I get asked almost once a day is what is an Exercise Physiologist? It’s a big fancy word to say, I specialise in knowing how the human body functions and how movements like exercise can alter this. Knowing this I prescribe specific exercises to my patients, athletes and clients all depending on their needs and goals. So how did I become an Exercise Physiologist?

When I started at university I was originally enrolled in teaching, however it was evident that this wasn’t quite the job for me. I wanted to educate individuals but not in algebra, instead something that I’m passionate in. Throughout my degree I was taught numerous evidence based practice strategies to help individuals depending on performance, illnesses, conditions, injuries as so on. However I was never taught this passion. I knew I wanted to make a difference, not change the world, but to be able to help that one person that feels like the world is against them.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”2158″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]As a child I always had an active lifestyle. I did lots of dancing, playing outside with friends and family, competing in team sports and extreme sports; but I never thought that one day I would grow up and teach a ballerina how to stop their knee’s from hurting, then to go on an win a major competition or to help my elderly patients walk again after falling.

Exercise for a lot of people is seen as a punishment. Something used to help change something that’s negative. I tell a lot of my patients that working for a reward instead of irradiating a problem is the way to do it. Exercise should be used as a way to show off your strengths and make you feel amazing and empowered. Not so you can have that doughnut…

So what’s it like to be that team player, the coach, the health professional, the shoulder to cry on, the friend, the specialist, the exercise lady, the motivator, the smiling assassin, the Exercise Physiologist? It’s something that has its challenges but also its amazing benefits, that I wouldn’t change anything for.

Samantha – The Exercise Physiologist

To book an appointment with Sam or to find out more about how you can work together to achieve your health and fitness goals, call our Clinic on (08) 9583 5165.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”2295″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row]