Embracing Your Authentic Self: A Deep Dive with a Port Melbourne Osteopathy Clinic Principal
"Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken, and it's exhausting pretending to be someone you're not." These candid words open an insightful conversation on "Your Port to Health," a podcast dedicated to introducing the team at Osteo in Port in Port Melbourne, Victoria. In this episode, we sit down with one of the clinic's principals to understand his unique journey and philosophy.
From New Zealand Childhood to a Career in Care
Growing up in a small New Zealand town in the 1980s, our principal, Dan, was one of four active and curious boys. Life back then meant getting hands dirty, playing sports, and constant curiosity. Academically, he navigated school effectively without excessive effort, a trait that he notes translated into his professional career.
Initially, Dan aspired to be the physiotherapist for the All Blacks. However, during his studies at Otago University in Dunedin, he had a "realisation" that the sheer number of physiotherapy graduates made that dream statistically challenging. He sought a different path, finding it in osteopathy. At the time, osteopathy was new to New Zealand, with his cohort being the first intake at UniTech in Auckland. It was a "cowboy-ish" and unregulated profession when he graduated in 2003, but this lack of rigid structure appealed to his desire to "forge my own path."
The Formative Years and the Value of Mentorship
After graduating, Dan was fortunate to secure a role with Martin Rook at Newtown Osteopathy in Wellington. He also opened his own room in his hometown, splitting his time between a multi-practitioner clinic and his solo practice for seven years. This early experience, particularly working under Martin Rook, was crucial. He reflects that all new graduates should work with others and have mentors, as "whilst we think we know a lot when we graduate, we really know f**k all." He highlights the importance of having professional connections, such as local GPs and specialists, to consult when needed.
Embracing Authenticity and Defining a Practice Style
Fifteen years ago, Dan moved to Australia, continuing to forge his unique professional identity. He observed that while New Zealand's farmers could handle his physical treatment style, Melbourne's office workers required an adjustment. His exposure to a larger and more diverse professional environment in Australia significantly enhanced his skills.
A significant shift in his practice style, particularly over the last two to three years, has stemmed from a profound comfort with his own identity. Having spent considerable time working on self-discovery, Dan realised his core purpose is "to take care" – of clients, family, and friends. This deep self-awareness makes him "f**king calm" , which translates into his calm and caring approach with everyone else. He notes that he has become "relatively unflappable professionally".
Dan emphasises the strength in knowing and working within one's professional scope. He cautions against trying to be proficient at "f**king everything," as it can lead to burnout. Instead, he advocates for building a strong team, involving others both inside and outside the practice, because "we should all be about the outcome for our client."
Looking Forward: High-Performance and a People-First Vision
In recent years, Dan has consolidated his two decades of experience into a non-hands-on capacity, undertaking a high-performance coaching course with Hintsa, based in Norway. This allows him to provide verbal advice on wellbeing, exercise prescription, and nutrition, extending his ability to help people without solely relying on manual therapy. He is currently in his fifth year of working with a motorsport client, highlighting a new avenue for his expertise.
For Osteo in Port, the future vision is simple: "a team of good people that take care of the people who come in here." Dan's priority has never been solely the business; it's about the success of his team members, Dylan and Anthony, and creating a relaxed, social space where everyone can thrive.
Wisdom for Aspiring Osteopaths
Dan offers invaluable advice for students and new graduates:
Observe and Learn: Actively seek out and observe as many osteopaths as possible in different settings. University education doesn't fully prepare you for real-world practice, so expose yourself to diverse personalities and practice styles.
Find Your Fit: Look for a clinic that genuinely suits you, rather than trying to "squeeze into a box" that doesn't fit your personality or practice style.
Communicate Effectively: In a communication-based profession, initial communication matters.
Know Your Limitations: Acknowledge your faults. A new graduate who claims to have no faults is "a very dangerous beast."
Prioritise Wellbeing: Avoid letting work consume your entire life. "Don't live osteopathy... Do stuff outside of work." Worrying about clients outside of hours is unproductive.
Ultimately, the core message is to treat the person first and to know who you are. When comfortable in one's own skin, many other challenges tend to "fall into place." It’s about providing the best possible advice and care, remembering that patient compliance is ultimately their choice, and adapting the approach to meet their individual needs and comfort levels.