Practitioner Get to Know You Questions
Victoria Fik
Anthony Wrigley
Alyssa Gowan
Hyon Joo Hong
Why did you choose osteopathy as a career choice?
I was drawn to the holistic principles of Osteopathy, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of the body and the importance of treating the whole person rather than just isolated symptoms. I developed a specific interest in the interconnected body structures and systems while earning a degree in Biology in Canada. This deep dive into the complexities of the human body, combined with my background as a dance instructor, fostered a profound appreciation for the subtleties in life and how they can affect the greater whole.
What is your favorite treatment success story?
I've been fortunate to help many patients achieve their health goals throughout my career, and each success story holds a special place in my heart. One that particularly stands out involves a patient who had been suffering from two frozen shoulders. When they came to me, they had exhausted all other options and were considering more invasive approaches. They were struggling with everyday tasks and desperately seeking relief. What they needed was for someone to look beyond their shoulders and understand the root cause of their pain. Through a combination of osteopathic manual therapy, exercise, and lifestyle advice, we were able to significantly reduce their pain and regain their mobility. Witnessing their joy and newfound freedom, including the simple ability to take a deep breath, was truly gratifying.
What do you find most rewarding as an osteopath?
For me, the greatest reward lies in witnessing the positive impact Osteopathy has on my patients' lives. Osteopathy has equipped me with the tools and perception to consider the whole person – mind, body, and spirit – when providing care. This approach fosters strong relationships and trust with my patients, allowing me to address their health concerns in a comprehensive and personalized way.
What brings you the greatest joy?
I truly feel lucky because I feel that my work brings me the greatest joy! I'm so grateful to have had Osteopathy to help me through a difficult time in my life when I was dealing with debilitating migraines. It feels as though I'm able to pay it forward with my work by helping my patients achieve their health and wellness goals. Seeing them overcome pain, regain mobility, and live fuller lives is incredibly fulfilling. It's a privilege to be a part of their journey and to witness their transformation. Outside of my work, what brings me joy is cooking! Exploring different cuisines, nourishing myself with healthy food, and challenging myself in the kitchen are all things I find incredibly fulfilling.
Why did I choose osteopathy as a career choice?
Esalen massage and osteopathy were a big part of my life during my mid-20s to early 30s while living in Zurich, Switzerland. I had been struggling with chronic sciatica, and it was through receiving these different forms of bodywork that I made a full recovery. During this time in Switzerland I was fortunate enough to have three incredible mentors who encouraged me to follow this path in becoming a bodyworker. I went on to learn Esalen massage in Zurich, and eventually moved back home to Australia 7 years later to learn osteopathy.
Do you have a favorite treatment success story?
Treatment success stories are not from my own doing but always from the inherent healing forces within the patients I see. My favorite stories involve patients who were helped successfully by osteopathic treatment to facilitate and augment their potent healing forces in bringing them back to health.
What brings you the greatest joy?
Being in nature. I love connecting with the natural elements in nature, as I believe it is imperative for optimal health and the feeling of being alive. For example, I always feel electromagnetically charged back home in Australia fishing barefoot on an isolated, rugged, open stretch of beach, hunting big fish during sunrise, sunset, or under moonlight. For me this is where body, mind, and spirit collide—this is health, balance, joy, and where I feel truly alive.
Why did I choose osteopathy as a career choice?
I've always been interested in the body, movement, and health. Growing up, I spent a lot of time getting treated by various health professionals for sports injuries. I first saw an osteopath in high school and was intrigued by the unique, interrelated approach of osteopathy. I responded well to treatment, and as I learned more about osteopathy through my studies, I knew I had made the right choice!
Do you have a favorite treatment success story?
A memorable experience early in my career was a patient who had open heart surgery following a heart attack several months prior. He was experiencing extreme pain and was unable to function in his daily life. He had seen several cardiac and pain specialists, and all the tests on his heart were normal. He was frustrated and defeated, as he felt no one believed him. After observations of abnormalities in his sternum in our sessions, he went back to his physician for further inquiry, and it was found his sternum never healed properly from surgery and he had a bone infection. Fortunately, he was able to get appropriate treatment for the infection. This was an important reminder to me to look at the whole person, trust my instincts, and advocate for yourself when something doesn't feel right.
What brings you the greatest joy?
Generally: spending quality time with family and friends, time in nature, and exploring new places. As far as work, it is very rewarding to make a difference in someone's quality of life and watch them evolve into their highest self when all aspects of their life begin to align.
Why did you choose osteopathy/massage as a career choice?
It’s a looooong, convoluted story involving Alice-in-wonderland-level curiosity and a Mulan-like subtle boldness - following one breadcrumb at a time. It definitely wasn’t a straight line. But in a practical sense, I chose Osteopathy out of necessity - I needed a visa to stay in Australia. I was just following what was in front of me, one step at a time, literally and metaphorically. Turns out, Osteopathy found me. 😉
What do you find most rewarding as an osteopath/massage therapist?
I learned massage before I became an osteopath. I still remember my very first massage lesson - we were taught how to touch the calf (not the foot, not the thigh, but the calf only! 😝), and I was nervous at first. I hesitated... doubted myself... but the moment my hands made contact, I felt an unexpected sense of comfort, which might sound strange, but it’s true. I instantly felt a connection to hands-on healing practice.
There’s something so human about it - the embodied way of sensing another person and the shared physiological resonance and exchange. What’s shared is felt more than spoken. Whether I see the client once or regularly, it humbles me every time. That’s the reward for me - being present, attuned, and connected in a way that feels both timeless and real. The effect is grounding and calming - for both sides. How privileged I am to do this for a living.
What brings you the greatest joy?
What brings me the greatest joy is the freedom to explore and satisfy my insatiable curiosity. When I left Korea, where I was born and grew up, I never imagined I’d end up living the life I do now. The people I’ve met along the way, the opportunities that unfolded, the experiences I never thought possible, and the moments where I’ve had to question and unlearn my own beliefs - all of it brings me deep joy.
Big and small, extraordinary and ordinary moments. Like the squirrels I watch every morning, munching and hoping (so cute). Or my mum sending me Korean recipes that I never intend to make. I once got caught by the police, laughing so hard while driving with my husband. The police must have thought I was either drunk or on something. These moments make me feel alive, grounded, and grateful.