Why I became an Exercise Physiologist - Afiq Jackson

March 3, 2023

Since being a Team Leader at Absolute Balance, I get the amazing opportunity to assist with the onboarding of the new starter that join our ever-growing team and identifying ‘Why did you become an EP?”, will always be something I ask as early as possible. Starting with WHY and trying to understand someone’s WHY is the most important step in understanding the purpose, meaning or belief behind any action they take.


As Simon Sinek says, ‘it doesn’t matter what you do, it matters why you do it.’


The most significant benefit I have found with understanding the WHY of a colleague is that whenever the ‘going get tough’, either through life or work, if I can always relate it and link it back to the WHY, we can almost get through any challenge and achieve any outcome. So funnily enough, I was only asked the other day by a colleague, ‘Afiq, why did you choose to be an exercise physiologist?’. To my surprise I paused, it had been a while since I considered the notion. Interestingly as I left the conversation, it seemed like the last 9 years since I had graduated played like a mini camera reel quickly in my head and I was trying to hone in on the moment I thought this is why I do what I do.


Rewind...


I studied Exercise Physiology back in 2014 and at the time, it seemed like the natural progression after completing a Bachelor of Exercise Sports Science and I also think it was what some of my other friends had continued to do the same prior. I had a strong desire and interest towards movement and biomechanics; specifically understanding the role that they played in the rehabilitation of an injury. I also paired that with the fact I enjoyed meeting and working with different people and hearing their stories.

Then I worked for a boutique fitness company for 6.5 years not utilising nearly half of what I learnt through my studies, and I got to work on changing the fitness industry and making an impact in people’s lives through exercise. In that time frame I progressed through varying positions to a national role, but at the end of the line, something wasn’t clicking. Whilst I didn’t lose my why, I look back and realise I wasn’t working for my why as much as I thought I was, so I left that company and took the time to work out what’s next.

That time took 4 months. Refreshing, nervous and scary but valuable and much needed.


The most important part of that time was establishing again my why. ‘Why did I study for 4 years to be an Exercise Physiologist?’. But to peel a layer back further, being an Exercise Physiologist was just the method, mode, tool, or service that I used to achieve the why.  I realised that at the centre of the last 9 years and the reason I did the roles I did and worked in the places I had, was that ‘I wanted to help make someone better than they were yesterday’.

So fast forward to now. My role at Absolute Balance is balanced in two spaces, as an Exercise Physiologist and as the Clinical Team Leader and luckily for me I get to make a difference on bettering someone everyday doing both. I get the opportunity to instil small changes in habits, behaviours and attitudes with both patients and colleagues every day. I’m fortunate enough to help a patient go from being unable to kneel and pick up their bag to climbing sets of stairs with relative ease. Each day just helping make a small improvement, that 1%, is why I do what I do.


It's important to never lose sight of the why, as it is most likely going to be the main intrinsic motivator behind all actions or outcomes that people try to achieve. If you find you’re ever facing a hurdle or challenge professionally, or even personally, think back to your why and that should help you create the steps or process to get what you desire.


Afiq Jackson

Workers Compensation Specialist ‑ Team Leader Northwest (AEP, ESSAM)

Exercise Rehabilitation Services ‑ WA

     

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