St Bernard’s College Old Collegians Association

Quickbites Q&A – Chris Bryceson, class of 2009

Do you enjoy what you do?

Yes, I’m very lucky that I do enjoy what I do. Life is too short to persist with a job you don’t like, and we should be picky and choosy with the paths that we take.

What do you do?

I am a physiotherapist, and business owner. I run my business - CB Physiotherapy - exclusively out of personal training studios.

What does that involve?

As a physiotherapist, I help people with pain and injuries resolve their issues and achieve optimal physical health. This is done through assessment and education, exercise prescription, activity modification and manual therapy (hands on treatment). As a business owner and sole trader, I am responsible for creating business systems, marketing, financial and administrative duties also.

What did you study at uni/college/TAFE after life at St Bernard’s?

I graduated from La Trobe University with a Bachelor of Health Sciences and a Masters of Physiotherapy Practice.

Was your study helpful?

You cannot practice as a physiotherapist without a physiotherapy degree, so not only was it helpful, it was essential!

What advice would you give a student considering doing tertiary study?

Throw yourself in to whatever it is that you chose to do, and don’t feel as though you need to have your whole life figured out.

What skills do you need to do your job?

As a physiotherapist, I need to have an excellent knowledge of anatomy, physiology and biomechanics. I need excellent exercise prescription skills and need to be a constant problem solver. I need to be a capable communicator, be able to build rapport with my clients and educate them effectively. I also need basic skills in marketing, administration, finances and business to remain successfully self-employed.

Did you learn anything about your job when you got there, or did you know it all?!

I learned far more in the first six months on the job getting real life experience with actual clients than I did in four years at university!

What are the greatest challenges you face at work?

Every day is a challenge, as every client who comes through the door is different. I am constantly solving problems and developing solutions. It keeps me on my toes but is also a reason why I enjoy my job so much, as no 2 days are the same.

What are the greatest rewards in your role?

It sounds like a cliche, but it is genuinely rewarding being able to help people every day for a living. It is very rewarding to be able to free people of pain and help people get back to doing what they love. Being self-employed and totally in control of my lifestyle and work-life balance is also a great reward.

Was studying at uni worth it?

Absolutely, because I could not be doing what I am now if I didn’t study at university.

What interests you most about your work?

I particularly enjoy working with active, motivated individuals and helping them achieve their goals. As every person I see and every day I work is very different, it is not easy to lose interest.

What do you enjoy most?

I enjoy the satisfaction of being able to help people, and having happy and satisfied clients who are grateful for what you do for them. I also enjoy the autonomy of being self-employed, and the lifestyle perks that come with that. I get to make my own rules, do things how I want to do them and how I see works best, set my own hours and take holidays whenever I like.

Which parts about your role do you least enjoy?

The negatives are far outweighed by the positives. However things like not getting paid if I’m not at work, not having assistance in my role day to day and always being contactable can sometimes be challenging as a sole trader.

How did you end up working at CB Physiotherapy?

An opportunity presented itself to me to set up my own business within a treatment room that was for hire within a leading local gym. I always wanted to end up working for myself, so jumped at the opportunity with both hands. Six years later and I haven’t looked back.

What does a typical day look like?

On a typical day I might see 10-12 clients in the clinic (30 or 60 minute consultations). I will generally spend an hour or two most days doing administrative tasks such as writing treatment notes, sending emails, preparing marketing materials and the like. I also generally schedule lengthy lunch breaks which allow me to hit the gym at work in the middle of the day (not a bad perk).

What personal qualities and attributes help you in you role/work?

Having a genuine care for other people, always being honest and ethical, and being motivated/hard working by nature.

How do you hire people for your business, if you are a business owner?

As a sole trader, I chose not to hire anyone for my business, as I prefer to worry about myself and myself only. This may very well change at some stage in the future, but I will cross that bridge when it comes to it.

Has anyone helped you in your career journey?

Plenty of people have helped me over the journey. I had excellent clinical and business mentors in the clinic I worked at as a new graduate, and I am lucky enough to have excellent family and friends around me who support me in many ways. Despite working for myself I have plenty of people to bounce ideas off, which is important as a sole trader.

What are your stand out memories of SBC?

I remember SBC being a place that gave its students every opportunity to be successful in any aspect of education and life.

If there’s something you could say to your 17 year-old self, what would it be?

Don’t worry about having everything figured out right now! Live in the moment and enjoy every day as it comes.