Do as I say, not as I do. At our Penrith physio clinic, I find myself sitting across from a patient giving out advice on recovery, rest and preventative exercises having spent the weekend pushing through a sore shoulder, skipping my warmup, and not sleeping enough.
Kate Eckhardt physio and elite canoe slalom athlete with our Penrith physio team.
“Balance” is a generous word. In truth, managing a dual life as a physiotherapist and elite athlete is a constant compromise.
For the first two years of my physio career, work took the front seat. I trained less, and while I still competed at a high level, my performance plateaued. Over the last 12 months living and working in Penrith, I flipped the focus—I now work part-time with the team at The Healthy Body Company in Penrith and take extended leave for competitions. My sporting performance has surged, but I feel the trade-off in my professional development. My learning curve has slowed.
Still, I’m incredibly fortunate to have a workplace that supports this dual pursuit.
Physiotherapy has given me a deep understanding of how the body works—where it’s limits are, how it recovers, and how to make it stronger. It arms me with knowledge about injury management, load tolerance, and recovery strategies.
Whether I choose to listen to that knowledge… well, that’s another story.
As an athlete, I know how it feels to be told “you need to stop.”
I know the frustration, the grief, the fear of losing progress. That experience helps me connect with my clients in a real, human way. I understand what it means to set goals, to chase them relentlessly, and to rebuild when things go off course. Goal setting isn’t just a rehab tool—it’s my lived reality.
Having pushed the limits of my own body, I bring that perspective into my physiotherapy practice in the Penrith clinic. Whether it’s helping someone start a weekly walking routine or shave time off their 5km personal best, I aim to show people what they’re capable of—and help them believe they can go further than they thought possible.
Kate Eckharadt, physio and elite athlete competing for Australia. Image credit: JGRimages
This journey hasn’t been a straight line. It’s been full of mistakes, wins, and hard-earned lessons.
The biggest one? If I want to be the best that I can be at one of my careers, the other will inevitably take a hit.
That’s a reality I’ve had to learn to accept. And truthfully, it still frustrates me—knowing I’m not always showing up at my best on the water or the clinic because fatigue catches up.
But this journey has also taught me a lot about myself—especially how I recover, not just physically but mentally.
I’ve (slowly, after multiple mental breakdowns) learned to recognise when I’m reaching breaking point, and how to get myself back on track.
Some of my strategies include:
These small, intentional pauses help me recalibrate when the weight of both worlds feels overwhelming.
Walking the tightrope between these two worlds isn’t easy—but both make me better at the other. And for now, I’m going to keep chasing the balance.
Kate will be representing Australia in the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships. Tickets are available now and it’s in Penrith so come along on Tuesday 30 September and support Kate.
Image credit – JGRImages – Kate at the Oceania Slalom Championships 2025
