Get to know the Barefoot Team – Physio Georgia’s Barefooter Story

1 – What’s your favourite activity outside of work and how does it help you live your Barefoot Lifestyle ?  

Apart from all the rowing, I love to crochet, and I’ve started making toys for a few very special nieces and nephews. I find that its very calming and helps to settle my mind after a big day. Being able to give something handmade as a first birthday present to my nephew Charlie was a special moment. Rowing has been a huge part of my life and being part of a team underpins my core values of community and teamwork. I always feel happiest when I’m surrounded with people who share this and are working towards similar goals and we can bounce ideas around and have lots of fun.

2 – We know that bodies love to move, what do you enjoy to do movement-wise?

Anything that’s sweaty and uncomfortable. Top favourite activities are rowing and weights training. I also enjoyed a stint of reformer Pilates which I did to help stay active but also alleviate some of the body stress I was feeling towards the end of University. Since then I’ve tried to be more mentally connected to my activities and found that my technique and form have improved as well. Kitchen washing up dancing is also very fun at our house.

3 – What is one of your favourite memories and how did it shape who “Georgia” is today? 

That’d a hard question Britt, there’s way too many happy memories to choose from. More recently was meeting my nephew for the first time and getting to hold him for a full 10 seconds before he started howling and I hastily passed him back to my sister-in-law. Around the same time my parents had picked me up from the airport with a handwritten sign and playing the theme from Love Actually on a speaker. Also sitting on the bank with my coaching group after we’d basically lost every race but were proud of how our boys had conducted themselves on the day. All of these sorts of memories remind me that happiness happens everyday when you’re not thinking about it and shaped the way I try to reflect on the small moments and am grateful for the people in my life who share this value.

4 – If you could choose your dream holiday, would you prefer an international or local destination? And what has been your favourite holiday so far? 

My dream holiday would be to go to Europe! My favourite holidays so far are a tie between my first solo trip to Thailand and my first trip to Vanuatu with my partner. Very different trips but I got to have a mix of cultural experiences, some fun nights out and relaxing on the beach. Some memorable moments were lighting paper lanterns at the beach on Koh Phangan, hiking in 100% humidity to the Big Buddha on Koh Samui, snorkelling on Pele Island and having sunset cocktails overlooking the Pacific ocean.

5 – What made you want to become a Physiotherapist and so far what has been your favourite moment as a physio?

I wanted to become a physio after working as a strength and conditioning coach in Rugby 7s and rowing. I loved being in the gym but felt that there was something missing. I spent a lot of time with the team physio and saw more of what she was able to do and how she could problem solve, give exercise prescription and run around the field all at the same time. A standout moment for me was during my placements where I had a client who had been doing Pilates for nearly 50 years and her goal was to return to this after a bout of hip pain. Seeing the smile on her face when we got her back on the reformer machine was better than winning any grand final.

Bonus Question: We all know you love your Rowing, how long have you been rowing/coaching for and what is the best part about it?

I started rowing in year 10 as a school sport and didn’t ever really leave. After school I started coaching and I’ve coached for 10 seasons now, both girls and boys. Rowing is all about the feels, not just the emotional ones. The best part about rowing and being in the boat is this feeling of ‘lightness’ behind the blade when it all comes together and you hit top speed, everything feels almost easier and once you get that it’s something you’ll always be chasing. The best parts about coaching are getting to see my rowers grow as athletes and turn into amazing young people and also having some very entertaining car trips out to camp and the racing course via KFC.