Meet James our new physiotherapist

Describe your role in one sentence.

I actually have two distinct roles: provide workplace teams with the skills and knowledge to reduce their risk of injury at work (Workplace Services), and helping individuals create the best environment for overcoming their injury and return to the activities they love (Clinical Physiotherapy).

What’s the best part of being a physio?

Helping someone achieve a functional improvement that is so important to them that it brings them true joy. Luckily these moments aren’t limited to just achieving their final goal, but often occur at other points during their rehab journey.

What’s the worst part of being a physio?

Not having a magic wand. I wish I could make all people instantly better.

What do you enjoy outside of work?

Hanging out with my wife and two kids. Riding my bike. Eating good food and having the time to really enjoy it.

Can you tell us something we probably don’t know about you?

I wanted to be a bricky when I left school and I lined up an apprenticeship, but the night before I was due to start the boss rang me and said ‘mate you seem too smart to be a bricky, maybe you should go to uni’. I took his advice and haven’t looked back…seemed pretty good career advice.

Anything unusual about your childhood?

I grew up in the Blue Mountains. On reflection I really took it for granted, but luckily my parents and school created lots of opportunity to get out and have some amazing adventures in the wilderness.

What makes you smile?

Watching my kids laugh; watching my kids get better at doing something after they have tried really hard; riding my bike; having the time to sit down with my wife and enjoy her company.

What keeps you awake at night?

Doing a PhD, and looking after kids. Whoever came up with the phrase ‘slept like a baby’ had a very very different experience to me.

What do you do to stay healthy?

I like to ride my bike, and weirdly I like to ride up hills as fast as I can. This seems to be a good thing to enjoy, and it also offsets my love for eating lots of food.

Any health tips?

Respect your sleep. So much depends on getting good and consistent sleep. But I know too well that having young kids, and doing a PhD don’t always help me out with this.

Would you share a recipe?

Herb rubbed lamb cutlets with pea and feta salad

1. Place peppercorns, garlic, half the chilli and 1 teaspoon salt in a mortar and pestle and pound until coarsely ground. Add herbs and pound into a coarse paste. Stir in the olive oil and transfer to a large bowl.
2. Add the lamb, turning to coat well in the herb marinade. Cover, then stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.
3. Preheat a chargrill pan or barbecue to medium-high heat.
4. Cook the lamb for 2-3 minutes each side for medium-rare or until cooked to your liking. Rest, loosely covered with foil, for 5 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, for the pea and feta salad, blanch the snow peas, sugar snap peas and baby peas in boiling salted water for 3 minutes or until just tender. Drain, then refresh in cold water. Transfer to a serving platter and top with mint leaves and feta.
6. Combine Dijon mustard, honey, lemon zest and juice, and remaining chilli, then slowly whisk in extra virgin olive oil. Season.
7. Arrange the lamb cutlets on top of the pea and feta salad, drizzle with the honey dressing and serve.