My name is Sam and I am a Physiotherapist. While my specialisation is in sports and exercise, I treat a multitude of musculoskeletal conditions.
Two years ago, I experienced something that completely changed the way I viewed my health and my life. I had a seizure that, after a lot of reflection and medical input, was ultimately linked to burnout and prolonged stress. At the time, I was working hard, pushing through exhaustion, and convincing myself that running on empty was normal. As a physiotherapist, I spent so much time helping other people take care of their bodies that I had stopped paying attention to my own.
Following the seizure, I was placed on epilepsy medication as a precaution. It was a frightening and humbling experience. Suddenly, I had to confront the reality that my body had been trying to warn me for a long time. I realised that health is not just about avoiding illness or injury, it is about balance, recovery, and respecting your limits before your body forces you to.
That experience became a turning point for me. I started making small but meaningful changes: prioritising sleep, improving my diet, drinking enough water, exercising consistently, and setting healthier boundaries between work and personal life. Running became a huge part of that journey. What started as a way to improve my health quickly became something much deeper, a form of therapy, resilience, and personal growth.
Last year, I completed five half marathons, something I never imagined I would do while sitting in a hospital wondering what had happened to me. This year, under medical guidance, I successfully weaned off my medication and I have not experienced another seizure since.
Professionally, I completed by Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy and Master’s degree in Sports Physiotherapy and additional Pilates qualifications. My experience has always centred around helping people move better and live healthier lives, but this journey gave me a far greater appreciation for the importance of preventative health and sustainable living, not just performance.
One of the biggest lessons I learned is that health is not something you can postpone. Sleep, movement, nutrition, hydration, stress management, and work-life balance are not luxuries; they are foundations. Your body keeps score, and sometimes the strongest thing you can do is slow down enough to listen to it.