Todd Robinson – Exercise Physiologist
I was initially attracted to just learning more about the human body. When I started studying, I didn’t know what an Exercise Physiologist was. In fact, the term and profession of being an Accredited Exercise Physiologist didn’t exist whilst I was going through university. However, the growing body of evidence for use of tailored exercise as medicine led to our industry body doing some great advocacy work and now I’m working in a well-recognised profession and loving it.
2. What motivated you to open your private practice?
It wasn’t something I planned to do actually. A few months before my first child was born, the company I worked for was acquired by an overseas firm and shut down the whole health management division of the business. So essentially, I needed to get an income happening and with the upcoming birth of the first child, I started contracting as I wanted to have control of my weekly schedule to keep balance with enjoying the time with family.
3. What services do you offer through your business?
Injury rehab, disability support, behaviour change counselling, horticultural therapy, and chronic disease management
4. What are the different environments that you work and offer your services?
I provide a mobile service, so pretty much everywhere, anywhere that my client is comfortable and aligns with their goals – we can figure out a way. A lot of sessions are at the beach, park or the bush. But most often it is at client’s homes
5. How has your business evolved?
There has been a lot of different projects and focus areas that have come up in my practice over time. Lately, I’ve been focussing more-so on supporting those with special needs with the opportunities the NDIS has provided.
6. What interests you most in your area of practice?
Right now, it would have to be the therapeutic powers of combining plants and nature into exercise and goal setting.
7. What disruptors do you see having a major effect within the industry/s in which you work?
There is a lot of misinformation on the internet and this can affect people’s beliefs and attitudes.
8. What would you like to see change on a national or international level?
More government funding into preventative health.
9. What book/s are you reading at present?
The Path (a modern interpretation of ancient Chinese Philosophers)
10. What do you do to take care of yourself and switch off so that you can turn up for all the roles that you are involved in your life?
Well, exercise is a big one. It will give me an instant dose of improved mental wellbeing, cognitive functioning and helps me be more connected to my body.
