Josaphine Papadopoulos
Manitoba Certified Kinesiologist and Canadian Certified Pedorthist
(B. Kin, Dip Ped, C. Ped (C))
My name is Josaphine (she/her), but you can call me Josie if you like.
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For as long as I can remember my family was never particularly active or health oriented. I grew up watching them struggle with their health, going in and out of hospitals and doctors offices. I did not participate in sports or anything active like that. And I struggled with a lot of my own health and wellness issues.
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I spent a chunk of my early childhood watching in awe as my Uncle trained for various types of martial arts. At 15 years old I finally found a club that I wanted to train at. At that age I was shy, lonely, and did not have any confidence or sense of self-worth. I remember anxiously taking my mother to the club to sign a youth participation waiver because I was not 16 yet. That moment of courage would impact the rest of my life. Within a year I began assisting with technique and motivation during classes, and was soon happily helping with their beginner program as well.
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As time passed I realised that I wanted more for my life and the lives of the people around me. I wanted the knowledge to empower people to make more informed decisions about their lives and habits. Muay Thai and fitness gave me confidence and perspective, it taught me what self-worth was and that potential has no limitations. I learnt how to reframe my thinking and redefine my life. I learnt that some degree of discomfort is necessary for real change to occur.
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I am a Manitoba Certified Kinesiologist and Canadian Certified Pedorthist. I am a group fitness instructor, boxing and muay Thai coach, physical activity counsellor, and public health educator. As a Kinesiologist my specialities are in behaviour change, goal setting and health promotion programming. As a Pedorthist my specialities are in lower limb analyses, custom-made orthotics and footwear. I am deeply passionate about the work that I do and the impact that it has on the lives of the people I work with.
What is Kinesiology and Pedorthics?
What is a Kinesiologist?
Kinesiologists are university-educated health professionals that apply movement and exercise science to:
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promote health and wellness
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prevent, manage, and rehabilitate injuries
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restore function
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treat illness and chronic disease
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optimise human performance in diverse environments
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Kinesiologists work with people all ages and health statuses to help them achieve their health and wellness goals. They improve quality of life, often using interventions that include physical activity. Kinesiologists use evidence-based movement as medicine.
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In Canada, Kinesiologists are governed province to province. In Manitoba, they can register with the Manitoba Kinesiology Association (MKA) may use the designation ‘Manitoba Certified Kinesiologist’ (MCK).
What is a Pedorthist?
Certified Pedorthists are experts in postural analysis, musculoskeletal examination, and movement patterns of the foot and lower limbs. They are trained in the manufacturing, fitting and modification of foot orthoses and footwear, as well as the conditions of the foot and lower limb.
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In Canada, these healthcare professionals use the designation Canadian Certified Pedorthist (C. Ped (C)). The main purpose of Pedorthic treatment is to alleviate painful and/or debilitating condition, as well as help manage abnormalities and limitations of the foot and lower limb.
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Before someone can use the designation, they must have completed a Diploma in Pedorthics (Dip Ped), and passed the licensing exams required by the College of Pedorthics of Canada (CPC). Once successful the individual has to register with the Pedorthic Association of Canada (PAC).
How can I help you?
Kinesiologists work with individuals of all ages, health statuses, as well as fitness levels and experiences. They help to:
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achieve health and fitness goals
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manage chronic pain
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manage the aging body
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prevent and manage health issues
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prevent and recover from injury
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return people to work after an injury
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excel at sports and performance
... and so much more!
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Pedorthists specialise in lower limb analyses, gait, as well as custom-made foot orthoses and footwear. Pedorthists aide in the management and treatment of various foot related problems; they often help to address the root causes of foot pain. You should seek Pedorthic treatment if you are experiencing foot and knee pain with standing/movement, are wanting custom-made foot orthoses, and/or want help with proper footwear to accommodate your daily needs.
Behind the Name
What does "Grasian" mean?
I regularly get asked what "Grasian" means, but the story behind it seems more relevant the more that I have thought about it.
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For as long as I can remember people have played the "what race is Josie" game. So many have entertained themselves guessing my background. I have been called things like twinkie, and exotic, told that I "could pass for anything", and have even participated in the "halfer babies are so cute" mentality. The things nurture normalises.
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When I was around 16 years old someone I knew started to introduce me to people as her "grasian" friend. I later learnt that she had been describing me as her Greek-Asian friend. I realised that was most likely happening on a regular basis because people had been asking her about my background after they met me.
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Despite how awkward these games and names used to make me feel at times, I had learnt over time to accept and perhaps even enjoy them to some extent. Maybe it was a survival mechanism, a way to belong instead of feeling out of place, to feel like I was in on the joke rather than the butt of it. Or maybe it was a way to take my experiences of tokenship and make it my own.
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I can say for certain that I have been using the handle "TheGrasian" on everything I could since as early as 2011. Despite how surprised I was to receive the nickname originally, it has never been something I thought to shy away from. My heritage is, in fact, of both Greece and the Philippines--with some French Canadian/Irish mixed in. I also suspect that 'Greilipina' just did not have the same ring to it.
