061: Learning, Leading, and Healing Through Physiotherapy with Tyson Plesuk

What happens when physiotherapy care goes beyond treating just the injury? In this episode of The People Teaching People Podcast, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with someone I’ve known my entire life - my younger brother, Tyson Plesuk. Tyson is a sports and manual physiotherapist, a three-time Olympic medical team member, and co-owner of Movement Sports Clinic. Our conversation was an exploration into what it means to lead, teach, and grow through movement, injury, and recovery. Tyson’s journey into physiotherapy began with an injury at age 15 and the care of an athletic therapist who not only treated his body, but inspired his future. Since then, Tyson’s career has spanned amateur and professional sport, international competition, and community health. He has worked with everyone from Olympic athletes to grandparents chasing their grandkids, always bringing the same level of care, curiosity, and connection. What sets Tyson apart is his deep commitment to lifelong learning and his belief that healing is a team effort. In our conversation, he shares how his competitive drive and love of sport translate into a constant pursuit of excellence - not just for himself, but for his patients, his team, and his own children, whom he now coaches. We talk about the evolution of physiotherapy, what it means to teach and empower patients, and how mentorship plays a key role in his clinic’s culture. Tyson also opens up about pinch-me moments in his career - from walking in the Olympic opening ceremonies to helping athletes achieve gold - and the many mentors who shaped him along the way. Whether you’re dreaming of a career in physiotherapy, navigating your own recovery, or just love a good story of perseverance, leadership, and growth, this episode will leave you inspired. Tyson’s journey reminds us that education isn’t just found in classrooms. It’s lived on ice rinks, in treatment rooms, through coaching, and in every small act of care that helps someone move forward.   Listen in as we talk about: 04:55 Tyson's journey into physiotherapy 07:43 Commitment to continuous learning 10:19 From challenges to pinch-me moments 12:42 Learning together, healing together 20:12 The heart of leadership 23:09 Advice for aspiring physiotherapists 25:10 Life lessons through sport 26:30 Continuing to grow in physio 28:08 Coaching, learning, and growth 30:40 Lessons from mentors 35:06 Proud moments through partnership 37:24 A growing curiosity for pickleball 38:39 Learning from a legend 39:37 Creating your own luck   Connect with Tyson: Websites:  Tyson Physiotherapy: https://tysonphysiotherapy.com/ Movement Sports Clinic: https://movementsportsclinic.ca/ LinkedIn: Tyson Plesuk Instagram:  @tyson_physio @movesportclinic Facebook: @movementsportclinic   Connect with Tiana: Website: https://tianafech.com LinkedIn: Tiana Fech Instagram: @tianafech  Facebook: @tianafech  Book: Online Course Creation 101: A step-by-step guide to creating your first online course    TYSON’S JOURNEY INTO PHYSIOTHERAPY When Tyson was just 15, a hip flexor injury at a hockey camp started his pathway towards a career in physiotherapy. A caring and skilled athletic therapist named Rick Chamney helped him recover so effectively that Tyson skated off the ice inspired, wondering if a role like Rick’s could be his career in the future. From there, Tyson explored related paths like sports medicine and chiropractic, but volunteering under physiotherapist Kathryn Jeans cemented his decision. Watching her guide people from injury to full recovery showed him the powerful and personal role physiotherapists can play in someone’s journey.    COMMITMENT TO CONTINUOUS LEARNING Tyson’s dedication to continual learning stems from two big parts of his story. First, he started hockey later than most kids, which lit a fire in him to catch up - putting in extra time at the rink and practicing endlessly, even using his younger sister as a stand-in goalie.