We strive to help create opportunities for people to shape their careers in the physical activity sector and support them on their journeys. We caught up with Adaptive Exercise Specialist, Matt Brinkley who has thrived through opportunities within the sector.
Matt shared: “My role is to support people who often find it difficult to access exercise activities in a safe and structured programme. I often support people through physical activity, who have physical or cognitive impairments, or for wellbeing and mental health purposes. The most powerful resource we have is to encourage, motivate and give our attendees confidence so they can enjoy their experience.
I decided not to go to university and instead took a diploma at College in Physical Education, Psychology and Business Studies, and started working in the industry right away. It’s important for me to continue to attend training courses to further my knowledge and develop my skills, as an Adaptive Exercise Specialist.
Alongside my diploma, I was working as a support worker directing my career towards providing inclusive fitness opportunities. Instructing and personal trainer qualifications are essential (Level 2 and 3), as well as additional workshops and certifications to allow me to do my job. This includes exercise for older Adults, Disability Exercise, Pre / Post Natal and various health and safety courses.
The thing I enjoy most is that I genuinely love helping people. The reward is so valuable that it doesn’t feel like I go to ‘work’. I spend my day spreading positivity, and that is a great thing to do.
The most challenging part is not being able to provide an opportunity for everyone. Sometimes location or time restrictions prevent us working with people, but we are working hard on this, training more fitness professionals to work alongside adaptive exercise requirements. Treat everyone you work with like any fully abled person in terms of the potential for exercise and activity opportunities, as there is something possible for anyone, they just need support in discovering what that is.”
If you’re living with a physical or cognitive impairment and would like some extra support in finding an activity that’s right for you, visit our Find Your Active webpage here: www.activeessex.org/find-your-active/
