Injury set-back launches Parsons on career path

WAIS Pole Vaulter Ellie Parsons is making the most of her recovery since being side-lined on the eve of the Athletics National Championships. A back injury ruled her out of the Championships as well as the remainder of her season.

“I had a stress fracture in my lumbar spine which was a result of an increase in the load and intensity of my training leading up to competition season,” said Parsons. “They also found other fractures in my back that haven’t healed from when I was younger doing gymnastics.”

The emerging athlete combined pole vault training with work at a café and a physiotherapy degree, until injury caused a change of course.

“Leading up to my injury, I was working for extended periods of time, on my feet the entire shift.” “They were long shifts with early start times, and I would go straight to training afterwards, I really struggled with my diet and eating enough during these shifts and was left mentally and physically exhausted, with no energy left for training after.” “I was working on this with my dietician Emily, but with the timing of my break and the hours I was working, we were finding it difficult to make work, I knew something had to change” she said.

“During the time I had not been cleared to return to my job, I met with Amanda Schonfeld (Athlete Well-being and Engagement Advisor) and we decided I needed a job that didn’t involve as much time on my feet.” “She helped me write up a new resume and gave me the contact details to apply for the job at PROmotion as a physio receptionist.” “I am really enjoying it, and it works perfectly in terms of hours I need as well as gaining some insight into the physiotherapy, which I am currently studying.

I am currently working 2 shifts a week at General Public and 3 at PROmotion, which will drop to two next week, which is a lot with uni and returning to some training, but I am enjoying it.”

AW&E Advisor Schonfeld says the benefits are clear of matching Ellie with a job that aids her recovery.

“After meeting with Ellie and looking into her interests, I was able to use my networks to find out there was an administration role being advertised at a local physiotherapy practice. Ellie applied for the role and was successful in getting the job, so not only does it help her rehabilitation for her back injury, it will help her future career as a physiotherapist as she is now embedded in the industry” she said

Ellie is thankful her work and study opportunities have provided a welcome distraction from the pain of injury.

“I watched all the competitions before the others flew out which was a good way to stay involved whilst I was unable to train, and I learnt a lot from watching. The most difficult part about this injury was doing nothing was the key to my recovery. I felt quite helpless in my recovery and found it difficult to comprehend that doing nothing at all was what was best, even when the pain eventually subsided.”

“My goals now are to make a full return to training and focus on my rehab to ensure it heals and the same thing doesn’t happen again. In terms of competing, my goals are set on next year’s nationals and jumping a new PB, as well as competing in as many competitions as I can and gaining as much competition experience as possible” she says.