For most of his life, Jack Hickey believed his future would be out on the track.
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The former NIAS athlete of the year dreamed of a career as a professional athlete but injury prevented that from happening.
Although disappointment followed, Hickey wasn’t done.
He instead focused on a different career path.
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“I always believed that my future was going to be as a professional athlete,” Hickey said.
“However, due to chronic injury I was unable to train and complete at the level required to continue in sport.
“It was really important so see that I can make an impact in a different area and wasn’t just a failed athlete.”
A university degree followed before he started his career as an exercise physiologist.
And from there, he won the Outstanding Consultant Award at the ARPA National Excellence Awards in 2018.
He described the win as “a huge shock” and “very humbling”
Hickey said his former company IPAR – in particular Kate Johnson, Georgia Miller and Ben Steicke –played a huge role in his success, but he also noted his past struggles with injury also contributed.
“I’ve had a number of injuries over the years and the main focus of any rehabilitation process is the same and, although simple, it’s vital. Find a specialist for that particular injury and listen to them,” Hickey said.
“Until you have experienced a significant injury or completed rehabilitation yourself, I don’t think you can understand how much work goes into the initial rehabilitation phase and then how crucial the ongoing prevention strategies are to stop/reduce the risk of injury re-occurrence.”
Hickey was also grateful of his parents who pushed him “to gain a tertiary education”.
While his work is now the focus, Hickey’s sporting career – which he does for fitness and enjoyment –isn’t completely done with.
“I’m currently on the wait list to see a specialist surgeon to review my current bilateral knee injuries and right shoulder issues,” he said.
“Unlikely, that I will race triathlon via the ITU system (short course), but if I am able to fix my knees enough to return to training at the level required, I will look toward long course, particularly the Hawaiian Ironman.”