Inspiring the Next Generation of Kinesiologists

I recently had the opportunity to speak with and inspire the next generation of Kinesiologists. Every year the University of British Columbia Kinesiologists host a Last Lecture. People working in the field to come speak about their experiences and encourage those graduating. I shared the stage with Robyn Leuty of UBC Kin and Jay DeMerit Captain of the Vancouver Whitecaps.

In 1999 I travelled over 4,000 kilometres from Guelph back to Vancouver to attend UBC. The purpose was to upgrade my GPA and fill in some requirements for Physiotherapy school. At the time I didn’t know that one course in Adapted Physical Activity would change the course of my career and inspire me to start my own business. It was during this course that I met John, a Psychiatrist who was injured by being bucked over a horse. This resulted in a cervical spine injury which left him a quadripalegic.

John became my first paid client after the practicum ended. It was during my year with him that I decided to focus my exercise therapy expertise on assisting people with medical conditions, disabilities and injuries achieve more movement in their lives.

My message to this year’s graduating class was to find an area of kinesiology that inspires them, that they are passionate about and has a deep connection to who they are. With the Doctors of BC prescribing exercise and Ontario becoming a regulated health profession in 2013, Kinesiology is poised for a lot of wonderful opportunities.