Get to know your NDIS exercise physiologist, Lena Yun
We’ve asked our wonderful and well-respected exercise physiologist, Lena Yun, a couple of questions so that you can get to know her!
Why did you become an exercise physiologist?
About 6 years ago, when I was skateboarding, I landed awkwardly and heard a pop sound – I ruptured my ACL completely! I’ve seen two different orthopaedic surgeons who advised me to undergo surgery, especially because I am active and I want to resume playing sports. Personally, I don’t like invasive procedures and decided to recover by exercise rehabilitation. It’s been a very challenging 6+ months of adventure both mentally and physically – slow progression, re-injuring myself and going back and forth – however, I was very committed to my rehabilitation and after 6 months my MRI finding was “marked improvement.. with partial repair” And now I am fitter than I have ever been. I have discovered the beauty of exercise, making me strong inside out without any side effects. After that adventure, I decided to leave my career as a women’s wear designer/ buyer to become an exercise physiologist to reach out to people who need it.
What has led to your passion for disability?
During my ACL recovery, for the first 1-2months I was on crutches. I never realised walking and accessing the community could be so challenging – I took it for granted. At the same time, I lost one of my special friends who was diagnosed with osteosarcoma.. Lastly, I had an opportunity to work as a community support worker for people with disabilities when I was studying at uni and this experience helped to develop my passion.
Do you have a memorable experience of assisting a client to achieve their goals that you’d like to share?
Yes – A client living with a spinal cord injury, a full-time wheelchair user, with an overuse rotator cuff injury as a result – they didn’t enjoy exercise.
I helped them to ditch the idea of boring and “traditional exercise” and they overcame their fear of re-injuring themselves through exercise. They discovered functional exercise targeting their goals and I designed their program so that they could complete it at any time. It required very little equipment – sometimes just body weight, or simple equipment available already at her home, and she now enjoys exercise and has built her physical independence, confidence and she no longer complains of any pain nor discomfort!
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love to be in nature or catch up with friends for some drinks or look after my nephew 🙂
What is your favourite sport or physical activity?
I love to be at the beach and in water, so if I’m in the water I’m happy. I love sailing, swimming, SUP and hiking.
What is one thing that people would be surprised to learn about you? Do you have a hidden talent?
Surprisingly, people say I’m funny and wild! (once they get to know me ^^)
What is your favourite holiday?
I love traveling and one of my favourite holidays was in HAWAII !!!!!
Thanks so much to Lena for sharing more about herself and her reason for working in disability with our community!! We hope that you’ve enjoyed getting to know her! If you’d like to arrange services with Lena or another of our therapists, please contact us today!
Lena Yun provides Active Ability’s exercise physiology services in the North West of Sydney. Specifically, you could work with her if you live in or around Parramatta, Blacktown, Baulkham Hills, Merrylands, Cherrybrook, Bella Vista, Castle Hill or Dural.