Do you ever look back and consider where the big things in your life really started?
I was chatting with my pelvic health physio, Renata, recently for a GLOW10 Masterclass. We were swapping stories about what brought us into women’s health, and it turns out, for both of us, it all started with a small, seemingly insignificant choice.
Renata’s Story: Early in her career, Renata’s boss wanted to diversify his practice and so gave her an ultimatum—specialise in either paediatrics or women’s health. She wasn’t particularly drawn to either, but chose women’s health, a decision that eventually led to a deeply fulfilling career.
My Story: I was the only female physio at a general/sports clinic in Brisbane, so I got all the referrals for pregnant women and new mums (because how embarrassing would it be for a man to teach a woman how to contract her pelvic floor!) I started seeing more women because, well, women were sending their women friends. What started as a simple gender-based referral system ended up sparking my passion for women’s health, which only deepened after my own pregnancies.
And this wasn’t the first time a small, almost forgettable choice had a big impact on my life. In fact, there are a few key sliding door moments that have shaped where I am today:
- Walking into a travel agency after having a Coffee with Cormac in 2011 and walking out with a one-way ticket to Europe! That spontaneous choice led to some of our greatest adventures, working in the Swiss Alps & French Coastline and exploring our European roots.
- Registering the business name ‘GLOW Physio’ just two months after my second child was born: I had no idea what it would become, only that I was frustrated with the limitations of private practice and wanted to make a difference.
- Reading a magazine article about lifting weights at 17: I learned that strength training burns fat longer than cardio, so I bought myself a gym membership—and that was the start of my 24-year love affair with strength training.
Looking back, these decisions didn’t feel monumental at the time. But each one had a ripple effect that shaped who I am and where I am today.
Big changes often begin with small choices.
It’s easy to think that the “big stuff” in life comes from bold moves or grand gestures, but in reality, it’s often:
- the small, seemingly insignificant choice we follow through on, or
- the tiny but consistent commitments we make
that have the most impact.
Maybe you’re waiting for the “right time” to make a change, but what if all it took was one small choice today? What if that choice was to move for just 10 minutes or to prioritise your health as much as you prioritise everyone else’s?
Small choices, over time, create massive changes. Whether it’s starting strength training, getting more sleep, or simply carving out a few moments for yourself, it all begins with a small commitment.
This week, I challenge you to imagine your next small choice as your own sliding door moment. It might be picking up some weights, going to bed earlier… or walking into a travel agency.
What’s one small choice you can make today that could lead to something bigger tomorrow?