OT Bio: Leah Munday

Leah Munday is an Occupational Therapist (OT) and a Certified Personal Trainer. Driven by her strong belief that people live out their lives well, when they feel well, Leah founded OTfit Consulting in 2009. OTfit recognizes that even small improvements in overall health and fitness can have a significant impact on daily functioning and overall well-being.

Leah acknowledges that private practice comes with some unique challenges, but overall she has found that the benefits outweigh the challenges. She especially appreciates the flexibility and freedom it offers her to carve out her own schedule and ensure there’s enough energy in her tank to live life well with her hubby, 3 year old son, and very active dog!

Background: Leah’s interest in health, fitness, and athletics led her to UBC in 1997 to complete a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Kinetics. As she was heading into 3^rd year, a serious illness forced her to step away from school for a year. During this year away from sports, school, work, and social life, Leah realized just how much she had taken her roles, health, and strength for granted. As soon as she was able, Leah began introducing small amounts of daily physical activity into her life. This was nothing compared to the physical exertion of her athletic days, but she marvelled at how integral it was to her overall healing process. With her strength, endurance and mood improving a bit every single day (from a daily walk!) she eventually regained her independence and confidence to return to many of her previously enjoyed roles and activities including completion of her Human Kinetics degree. This experience, and the knowledge gained from her degree, would prove to pave the way and forever her influence her career path in the field Occupational Therapy.

After completing her Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy at UBC in 2004, Leah went on to work in a variety of settings – including a year abroad in Wales – but the majority of her time was spent in community homecare setting. Homecare OT provided Leah with incredible experiences, and fostered her ability to adapt to a wide range of needs, as she served clients of varying age, ability and health concern.

Methods: At OTfit Consulting, Leah addresses the daily challenges presented by aging, injury, or other health issues. She brings a functional and practical approach to physical activity, in order to enhance performance of daily demands. Since walking is an activity most of us do every day, Leah enjoys showing her clients how to walk their way to better physical and mental health. Leah is a recognized service provider with the ICBC Rehab Department, but her clients come from a variety of sources.

Urban Poling (aka, Nordic Walking): For the past two years, Leah has integrated urban poling into the majority of her clients’ rehab and fitness programs. After years spent promoting the benefits of daily walking, she was thrilled to find an activity that not only engaged her clients, but also provided her with a unique way of carrying out a therapy session. The combination of walking, talking, and strengthening (of lower and upper body), has served both her and her clients very well. This activity has also provided her with a fabulous opportunity for showing her colleagues, how they too, can benefit from incorporating physical activity into their rehab programs. See below for information on Leah’s upcoming courses:

Leah’s Upcoming Courses:

The Urban Poling (Modified Nordic Walking) Course for Rehabilitation & Wellness Professionals

Date:  August 25, 2012
Time:  9am to 1:30pm
Location:  The Office of Butterfield and Robinson, 288 East 1^st St. North Vancouver

Date:  September 29, 2012

Time:   9am  to 1:30pm
Location:   TBA

Date:  October 27, 2012
Time:   9am  to 1:30pm
Location:   TBA

Further info or to register for this course, visit: www.urbanpoling.com