Name and Title(s):
Tyler LeGear
Registered Physiotherapist, director and CEO of Titan Project Physiotherapy
Where do you work?
Titan Project Physiotherapy – an open-concept, exercise-based private practice clinic
Connect with Tyler:
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
As physiotherapists, we are fortunate to have the opportunity to help others on a daily basis, but what really excites me is those moments when we truly change someone’s life. In these special moments, clients come to me “at the end of the line” where they have all but given up on the prospect of returning to a functional life; then, with a combination of extensive education and a movement-based approach (coupled with patience and empathy), the incredible rewiring of the nervous system (neuroplasticity) will return the client into the functional and fulfilled individual they are capable of being.
Why does physiotherapy matter?
The most consistent shortcoming I see in the medical system today is the lack of education. Clients are given a diagnosis without any sense of what it means; they know little about what is “wrong” with little to no understanding of their prognosis. We are in a prominent position as primary care providers to close that gap and empower our clients to be informed and play an active role in their recovery.
What is a common misconception with your work?
Physiotherapists often feel limited in their ability to practice with a movement-based approach due to a lack of space and/or equipment. While having an open-concept facility with a gym doesn’t hurt, the majority of what we prescribe involves moving our own bodies (the piece of equipment we always have and use!) – even with extended appointments, the client is spending 23+ hours/day away from us and should be able to exercise with minimal equipment/space requirements.
What drew you to physical therapy?
I was interested in teaching when I started my undergrad and ended up completing my Bachelor’s of Education; however, I recognized that, with my deep passion for improving the health and wellness of others, that physiotherapy was the perfect match for both my passions.
What is unique about what you do?
I have recently taken on the challenge of training our own Titan Project therapy dog, Cato. Cato – a purebred border collie born December 17th, 2022 – comes to work with me daily for his training. Not only will he support our health and wellness goals for clients (and staff), he will help with clinic tasks such as laundry (as anyone in practice will tell you, there is a lot of laundry to be done!).
What is one thing we might be surprised to learn about you?
Movement is my personal medicine – I work out and train 7 days a week, 365 days a year and have been doing so – consecutively –for well over 5 years. Training sessions will be a mix of gymnastic-style callisthenics, HIIT, weight training, running, and swimming. Most of this will typically start just after 5 am each day.