Week 7: Melissa Corso, BSc.H, MSc, DC

 

Please tell us a little bit about yourself.

I’m a chiropractor, specializing in sports sciences! I played Varsity soccer for 5 years at the University of Guelph and still played competitively this past year until an injury got the best of me. I continue to stay involved in soccer by working with local teams on strength and conditioning, as well as putting together a comprehensive health and performance program, and working as medical staff at games. My goal as a sports chiropractor is to educate youth and adolescent athletes on how to prevent injuries and optimize their performance!

 

How has sport helped you develop skills for your work today?

 

Sport has helped me learn the value and importance of hard work and dedication. So many days you don’t feel like getting out of bed and working out or going to practice, but you had to – as a responsibility to yourself and your team. In life, I have maintained that mindset, keeping my eye on the goal, and working hard even if I’d rather be napping! It’s all about commitment, dedication and hard work! It has also taught me the art of losing – things aren’t always going to go your way, but that doesn’t mean it’s a reason to stop. Figure out what went wrong, and work towards improving it!

 

How has sport helped you be a better leader? 

 

I think sport has helped me be a better leader because I was always a bit of a hot-head. It taught me the importance of patience, and understanding where people are coming from. Not everyone wants or expects the same thing as you, and it’s important that you take that into account when you’re communicating with them or working together. I also learned that not everyone responds to the same things you like – some people like to listen to music and be goofy when they’re getting geared up for a big game, others prefer to be alone and silent… you have to look out for that stuff!

 

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

 

Make sure you keep loving it. Playing competitively is great – but you have to love the sport. So many female athletes lose the love of the game because they “have” to do things. Play because you love it, and that will never steer your wrong. If you don’t love it anymore, take time away, and come back to whatever you love – and that may not always be super competitive. It’s okay. Being active and healthy is the important thing… If you do that, you can’t go wrong.