Photo by Johany Jutras

Week 29: Brittney Enright-Blount

Athletic Therapist

 

Please tell us a little bit about yourself. 

 

My name is Brittney Enright-Blount. I am a Certified Athletic Therapist CAT(C). Currently, I am the Head Athletic Therapist for the York University Football Team as well as the Outdoor Sport Supervisor.Previously I spent 3 seasons with the Toronto Argonauts as an Assistant Athletic Therapist, and was fortunate enough to be a part of the team that captured the Grey Cup in 2017. I have worked mostly hockey and football throughout my career so far and I love it. It took me quite some time to figure out what I wanted to do, but once I found it there was no turning back.

 

I completed 2 degrees and a certificate program at York University where I received my AT training. During my first degree I played varsity Field Hockey (2005-2010) and for 4 of those years I was also carded with Team Canada Field Hockey. It was an amazing experience that I would not trade for anything.

 

Growing up I played every sport I could get my hands on. The need to be competitive and active has always been a part of my life and I am thankful for all of the opportunities I have had. When I got the opportunity to pursue Field Hockey in a University setting I jumped at the chance. Having only played part of a fall season at my high school in Hanover I had a chance to tryout for Team Ontario. The rest is history. I have to tell you though that this was probably one of the biggest challenges I had to face as an athlete as I had to learn the game, I never grew up with the sport and so it was a huge learning curve for me.

 

What kind of barriers have you overcome in your life? What skills did you learn in sport that have helped you overcome these barriers?

 

Barriers I have had to overcome in my life have been pretty consistent. We moved across the country when I was in Grade 5. Sports were something that I could dive into and feel normal. I could compete and love what I was doing. Injuries have always been something that I have had to deal with; this ultimately lead to my retirement from sport at the age of 24. Losing your ‘identity’ as an athlete at such a young age is probably one of the biggest barriers I have had to overcome. For me, once it was over, it was the end of a chapter for me that I had a lot of difficulties letting go. It took me a long time to see that I could do something else with my life and that there really was a greater plan for me.

 

In team sport you always know that you have your teammates to lift you up, to support you through anything that life has thrown your way, and that no matter what you win and lose together as a unit…. when that was gone from my life it taught me to be strong and independent and to never settle for anything that didn’t make me happy. I tried my hand at coaching for 2 years, and albeit fun and it feeding the need to be around the sport, it never made me happy. In 2012 I started my Athletic Therapy journey and I haven’t looked back. This was a way for me to continue to be involved in all aspects of sport but to also be able to help athletes and guide them towards their dreams and goals.

 

How has sport helped you to be a better leader?

 

Sport has helped me be a better leader by showing me strength, strength that a lot of us do not know we have until we have to endure something that is life changing. Adversity is something most of us face daily, and until we actually face it head on you will not recognize how much sport has lead to how you were molded as an individual. Think about the amount of adversity athletes endure daily; from losing a game, to injuries, to being yelled at by a coach or teammate, or running suicides at practice, or having expectations that are completely unrealistic thrust upon you. It’s all how we adapt and rise above anything that is thrown our way. I can say that if I didn’t have sport in my life I don’t think I would be the person I am today. I wouldn’t be calm in high-pressure situations, I wouldn’t be confident enough to stand up for what I believe in, I wouldn’t be strong enough to know that wherever this life is going to lead me that I will be able to rise above and reach the goals I set for myself, or to be the strength that someone else needs down the line when they are faced with adversity. Being a leader I think is someone who can give others the confidence and encouragement and strength to believe in themselves and know that they can accomplish anything that sits in their way.

What is one piece of advice would you have for young females today?

 

If you ever think you aren’t good enough, look in the mirror and ask. You are stronger and wiser than anyone because only you know the answer to the question you seek. Follow your heart and never settle for less. And if ever stuck at a crossroad, search your soul for direction and trust the process. Everything happens for a reason.

 

Always stay humble.

 

Instagram: @blount022