Staff profile – Nick Davies

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When and how did you start working for Ethos?

In late 2016, my brother met Dan O’Neill (Ethos Physiotherapist) on a worksite where Dan was completing a risk assessment. They got chatting about me and
the next thing I knew I was having an interview and I started just after New Year’s Day in 2017.

My current work includes regular onsite clinics at a Hunter Valley coal mine, assisting workers with their rehab and the workplace with return-to-work
planning. Other work is in a range of industries including power production, manufacturing, logistics, construction and transport. This has involved
spending time on tugboats off Newcastle, at power stations in the Hunter Valley and at manufacturing plants through New South Wales and Queensland.
Role profiling is a big part of my work, which is assessing functional capacity and postural tolerance for undertaking specific work tasks. I have
also completed training that enables me to undertake assessments in high risk situations, including confined space and underground rescue training,
which is quite unusual for a physio.

What’s the best part of your job?

It’s different every week. One day I’ll be working underground troubleshooting injuries in a coal mine, the next I could be providing advice to parks and
garden workers on avoiding sprains and strains during repetitive tasks.

What’s the worst part of your job?

Working away from home can be hard at times, or the amount of driving, averaging approx. 700kms a week for the last 3 years.

What do you enjoy outside of work?

I would love to say I had been fishing lately, but house renovations with my wife Kelly and our two dogs have taken priority.

Can you tell us something we probably don’t know about you? (any unusual talents, etc.)

I played local rugby for Merewether Carlton for 16 years, winning 5 premierships in various grades, before having to give it up due to a neck injury. My
football injuries are what introduced me to physio and my first physio job was in Tonga for a few months as physio for the national soccer team.

What makes you smile?

Spending time at home with Kelly and the dogs (see photo).

What keeps you awake at night?

Nothing worries me too much, but if I am awake at 2am its probably to watch the English Premier League, cheering on my beloved Tottenham Hotspur

What do you do to stay healthy?

I try to catch up with mates for a game of touch footy, wall ball at Empire Park or just take the dogs for a walk whenever I get the chance.

Any health tips?

If you’re trying to get active, find something you enjoy. It’s hard to create a new good habit if you aren’t enjoying it. The gym isn’t for everyone.

Who does the cooking at home?

Haha this is a contentious point. Kelly does the majority of the cooking from Monday to Thursday, but on the weekend I like to either pull out the BBQ
or spend 4 hours in the kitchen following a complicated recipe, often with less-than-desirable results.

Would you share a recipe?

One of my favourite restaurants is “Spice I Am” in Surry Hills, this is an adapted version of their Thai Beef Salad that is on high rotation in our household. 

Thai Beef Salad recipe