When I was asked to write a blog, I honestly thought it was a mistake. I mean, what do I have to write about? Who would even read what I wrote? Also, who am I to write anything…what do I know?

Then I thought why not give it a try, not bothering about who would read it or what others thought. So I was just left with, what do I write about.

Physiotherapy?

Fitness? 

Religion? 

Food? 

Mental health? … like what?!

I finally decided to write about 5 things I learned throughout this past year. I am not an expert in any of these things nor have I perfected them. I just want to share what has helped me get through this year.

1. Listening is key

For this entire year, I was honoured to be a part of The Learning Physiotherapist programme as a mentee. I have learnt many things from the mentors, fellow mentees and the program coordinators but one of the first things that were brought up from the beginning was listening - and its importance.

Now I am an introvert,...

10:50AM, Cittadella (Padua)

I am sitting in my parents' house writing down my thoughts.

You ask why?

I broke my right hand 2 weeks ago and the world stopped – the world stopped moving for me just like that!

I am a physiotherapist and osteopath; my hands give me a role in this world, and in my community. Up to now, I have been working in a private clinic, and more recently I’ve started a new job with a Professional Football Team (SSD Cittadella Women). Only 3 weeks ago in fact!

 Now I am upset because I have my right arm in a cast. On reflection, something I’ve learned as to the importance of on this TLP journey…the first few days I was devastated and upset…staying on the couch, looking at the cast, and thinking about how everything stopped from day to night. Just like that! Why? I thought about everything I’ve learned over the last year from mentors and friends on ‘The Learning Physiotherapist’ platform and in ‘The...

Globally, healthcare systems have been experiencing an exponential increase in demand and Physiotherapy as a profession is no exception to this. That’s not to say that there shouldn’t be any occupational stress, often it is inevitable and sometimes necessary. But heightened demands may manifest themselves in a manner of ways – physical, mental, or emotional…and consequently, may contribute to a clinically recognised feeling or experience known as ‘burnout’.

‘Burnout’ is commonly recognised as a syndrome that results from chronic work-related stressors that are not being successfully managed and result in an array of dysfunction. It is most experienced in people-facing occupations due to the empathic involvement required to assist in alleviating the person’s distress in front of you.

Subsequently, it may lead to:

• Feelings of exhaustion, whether that be physical, emotional, or otherwise
• Feelings of detachment or negativity...

How confident are you?

One of the things we immediately notice in other people is their confidence. We all know ‘that one friend’ who is super confident; we like that person…we want to be like them - and sometimes we think they were born this way. And yes, there is no doubt that some people are naturally more confident than others; but - most of the time someone who seems to have incredible self-confidence has worked on building it for years, brick by brick. 

Confidence is not a fixed attribute. It is the outcome of the thoughts we think, the actions we take. No more and no less. It is not based on your actual ability to succeed at a task but your belief in your ability to succeed! Re-read that bit! We see it often in the sports world. Performers thrive on high levels of confidence. These people back themselves. They exude an inner belief. Examples exist where performers score a goal and then continue to score because of renewed levels of...

Self-awareness is a buzzword today. We hear it constantly in different industries and even within The Learning Physiotherapist community - and for good reason. Self-awareness is a cornerstone for emotional intelligence and leadership capabilities.

There are two categories of self-awareness that should be known: internal self-awareness and external self-awareness. Internal self-awareness represents how we see our own values, passions, aspirations, fit with our environment, reactions (including thoughts, feelings, behaviours, strengths, and weaknesses), and impact on others. External self-awareness relates to understanding how other people view us…in terms of those same factors listed above. People who know how others see them are more skilled at showing empathy - and taking others’ perspectives, putting yourself in their shoes as you would say.

Topics that we focus on in The Learning Physiotherapist masterclasses - like being a better communicator in the workplace,...

Networking is one of those things that some people just do not like doing. As a professional, a learning physiotherapist in fact, networking is something you can’t avoid. Regardless of what industry you work in or what position you hold, building relationships and nurturing connections is key to success.

There are many misconceptions about networking. Described as the exchange of information or services among individuals, groups, or institutions, it is important to understand how it can be perceived. To some people it can appear phoney, forced or for a hidden agenda. Others may go as far as to say it can be manipulative, mechanical, and emotionless.

But - why not think of it as simply interacting with people…and building meaningful relationships. Meaningful! It is never a one-way street; intentional networking and relationship building enables us to be helpful to others and give value rather than pursue a hidden agenda.

The Learning Physiotherapist is a platform to...

High performance means different things for different people. We know this from having asked “what does high performance mean to you?” to over 110 guests on our Irish-based educational and self-development podcast, ‘Sleep Eat Perform Repeat.’ It does appear to be consistently seen as a lifestyle choice. There is no off switch. You are either a high performing individual in your respective field - or you are not. You need to be confident looking in the mirror at the end of the day having been accountable to yourself and others, consistent and reliable.

Physios that are high performers usually have fundamental control over who they are as human beings, and how they choose to develop themselves – to streamline and give full agency over whatever it is they want to have full agency over. But - ultimately, it comes down to the outcome you want as a learning physiotherapist too. Where do you want to be? How do you want to be seen? Do you have a dream role? Why...

Where will I be in 10 years? Who will be in my life? What skills will I have improved? What challenges will I be facing? What soft skills will I have developed? Will I still be a Learning Physiotherapist?

Many of us have heard of the penny vs the jackpot question- Would you take a pot of €3 million today or 1c that doubles in value every day for a month. Instinctually our instant gratification monkey and short-term desires say, “give me the €3 mill!”; however, a more thought-out planned assessment would show that the 1c per day route would yield a much higher return…a €10 million+ payday in fact! Compound interest is a powerful tool and one we can take advantage of by doing the everyday basics consistently well. Carrying out small acts daily can lead to a much greater future trajectory to align with your goals as physiotherapists.

So, what is the lesson here…As humans we are extremely poor at assessing our own abilities and setting realistic...

During our undergraduate physio degree, we acquire a broad view of the many areas of physiotherapy – musculoskeletal, respiratory, neurological, paediatric, amongst others. Clinical placements open our eyes as to what is involved in that speciality – these experiences help us understand whether that is the area we want to work in after we qualify as a physio. After getting our BSc in physiotherapy, some new grads go straight into hospital rotations in the public sector; others dive into private practice; some get involved in amateur or pro sport…the options are endless for physios.

I decided to study further to specialise in the area that I was passionate about – sports medicine. That MSc opened doors for me to get involved in pro soccer as a pitch-side lead physio, and gave me the confidence to open my own private physiotherapy practice. The former worked out well for me; the latter was hard work from the outset with constant uphill battles against covering...

Michael Jordan, the GOAT, 6-time NBA champion once said “obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, do not turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.” Or as the late rapper Tupac Shakur proclaimed, “be the rose that grew from concrete”. Learn to be gritty as a physiotherapist – be mentally strong and stay the course even when times are tough and turbulent. This pandemic has impacted the physiotherapy profession – massively.

Learning physiotherapists must adapt and pivot their practice and use the full compliment of their skillset, and predominantly the soft skills…to continue to flourish and make impact on clients and patients. 

All physiotherapists will encounter adversity and challenge in their career. It is part of the course. Failed interviews, limited patients due to covid-19, sub-optimal rehabilitation outcomes for patients, falling out of favour with team...