By Selina Rebello, Physiotherapist
It’s been just over a year since I joined the team at FOCUS Physio & Co, and the growth I’ve experienced as a physiotherapist in that time has been incredible.
But let’s start at the beginning. How did I end up here?
As a teenager, I played a lot of netball and tennis, and, like many young athletes, I picked up my fair share of injuries. At the time, I had no idea how to manage them, but it was a physiotherapist who helped me recover and gave me the confidence to return to the court.
That experience inspired me to pursue a career in physiotherapy.
In 2020, I began my Bachelor of Physiotherapy. Everything was going to plan… for about four weeks. Then came lockdown after lockdown. Like many students, I focused on getting through one exam at a time, but eventually the constant pressure started taking a toll on my health. That was when I realised I needed to step away, prioritise my wellbeing, and return when I was ready.
So, what did I do during that year away from university? Everything I could.
I worked multiple jobs across different industries and volunteered in physiotherapy clinics throughout Sydney. Looking back, that year taught me so much more than I expected. It helped me develop the communication skills, confidence, and ability to connect with people from all walks of life. Skills that are just as important as clinical knowledge.
Fast forward to joining FOCUS Physio & Co.
I arrived eager to learn and determined to make the most of every opportunity. Since then, I’ve spent countless hours, both during and outside of work, revisiting old skills, learning new ones, working through case studies, and constantly asking myself how I could become a better clinician.
One of the biggest changes has been developing the habit of self-reflection. I often think back to patients or conditions I’ve treated and consider how I would approach them differently today. That willingness to reflect, learn, and improve has shaped the way I practise and continues to make me a better physiotherapist.
Over the past year, I’ve rediscovered why I love this profession. Watching patients regain confidence, reduce their pain, and improve their quality of life because of the care and guidance I’ve been able to provide is, without question, the most rewarding part of my job. It’s what motivates me to keep learning and striving to be better every day.
So, why am I sharing all of this?
Because life rarely follows the path we expect. There will be setbacks, detours, and moments where things don’t go according to plan. But those moments often shape us in ways we never could have imagined.
As cliché as it sounds, when one door closes, another often opens. Take life one day at a time, stay open to opportunities, and trust the process. Every experience, good or bad, has something to teach you. And if you’re willing to keep showing up, learning, and growing, there’s very little that can stand in your way.
If there’s anything I hope someone takes away from my journey, it’s this:
- Get a part-time job while you’re studying, whether it’s related to your degree or not. Every role teaches valuable skills. Find ways to apply them to your future career.
- Don’t let anyone tell you what you can’t do. Use it as motivation to work harder and prove yourself.
- There’s nothing wrong with not getting into your dream degree on the first attempt. There are many different pathways to the same destination, and your future patients won’t care how you got there. They’ll care how you treat them.
- When choosing a workplace, prioritise finding a team that will support, challenge, and invest in your growth. The right mentors can make all the difference.
- Celebrate every milestone, no matter how small. Progress is still progress.
