Get to know your NDIS exercise physiologist, Rebecca Nagel
We’ve asked our fabulous exercise physiologist, Rebecca Nagel, a couple of questions so that you can get to know her!
Why did you become an exercise physiologist?
I became an Exercise Physiologist because I have always loved helping people, am passionate about health and fitness and have witnessed the benefits of exercise for my family members with medical diagnoses. I love that I can combine my passions of health and fitness to improve the health outcomes of others and Exercise Physiology allows me to do that and more.
What has led to your passion for disability?
When working as a personal trainer and then exercise physiologist, I worked with a variety of clients with disabilities. I love helping empower people and how inspiring and rewarding it is to see improvements in my client’s independence, engagement and community access. I love how ever changing my average day is and how adaptable you have to be as an Exercise Physiologist which allows me to use exercise to help people improve their physical and mental health outcomes.
Do you have a memorable experience of assisting a client to achieve their goals that you’d like to share?
One of my clients who had a long-term history of mental illness, knee and back pain had the goal of improving her independence, physical activity levels and eventually returning to work. They were very anxious about exercise and required a safe and supportive environment to gradually increase their independence with exercise and activities in her daily life. After months of exercise physiology, they were able to regularly go on walks outside and at the pool and made major improvements in the complexity of exercises they could complete in sessions. The client has now returned to work and their independence in daily activities, exercise and community participation have greatly improved.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
In my spare time I enjoy spending time with family and friends, reading a good book or getting outside for a bush walk or a run.
What is your favourite sport or physical activity?
I love playing team sports with friends, particularly soccer and oztag, and have really gotten into running in the last few years and have a goal to run a half marathon later this year!
In another life, if you weren’t an exercise physiologist, what do you think you’d be doing?
As I am passionate about helping people improve their health outcomes I would likely continue to work in this area. I would love to be a paramedic, dietitian or even a pdhpe teacher!
What is one thing that people would be surprised to learn about you? Do you have a hidden talent?
I have an identical twin sister!!
What is your favourite movie, book and holiday?
Movie: The proposal
Book: The book Thief
Holiday: Canada to see the Northern Lights
Thanks so much to Bec Nagel 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 Bec Nagel or another of our therapists, please contact us today!
Rebecca Nagel provides Active Ability’s exercise physiology services in Ryde and the lower North Shore. Specifically, you will find her in or around Ryde, Marsfield, Hunters Hill, Lane Cove, St Leonards, Mosman, Willoughby, Roseville, Killara and Chatswood.