A local kinesiologist got out from behind a desk and jumped into a pool to follow her dreams.
For this week’s edition of People of Collingwood we spoke with Victoria Galletta, 30, kinesiologist and owner of Pure Movement.
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: I grew up in Guelph.
I moved to Collingwood about six years ago.
I went to high school in Guelph. I attended the University of Guelph as well and lived at home. I took human kinetics while I was there.
After graduating I took a year off and worked in an office job. I realized I didn’t want to be sitting at a desk all day. I wanted to be a bit more active.
I found a program at Humber College; it was a post-graduate certificate in exercise science and lifestyle management.
Then I decided to move to Collingwood. My partner lives here. I found a job in a clinic working as a kinesiologist.
After about three years there, I decided to go out on my own.
Q: Have you always known you wanted to explore that field?
A: I really enjoyed my kinesiology class in high school. When I was deciding where to go and what to do, it was between kinesiology and business.
I enjoyed business. I kind of wish I had done that as a minor. (laughs) I didn’t really know where life was going to take me at that point.
I was always an active kid. I played soccer and danced.
I was able to find a profession where I was able to continue that in being active.
Q: Can you tell me a bit about your current job?
I’m now the owner of Pure Movement. It’s a kinesiology-based business with a clinical focus in aquatic therapy. I work with clients in the water.
It’s a great environment for people. You’re almost 100 per cent non-weight-bearing in the water. It allows you to move your joints a bit easier.
I have clients who have trouble walking on land, maybe they use a walker or a wheelchair but once they’re in the pool, they can stand up and walk around.
Q: How needed is this service in Collingwood specifically?
A: It’s very much needed. As of right now, I may be one of the few that do it.
It’s a nice alternative to land exercise.
I work a lot with veterans with service injuries, as they have 100 per cent coverage for kinesiology.
Sometimes, with mental health issues, being in a public place can be difficult. Having someone with them is helpful.
I also work with motor vehicle accident clients. For example, I have worked with a client for three or four years now who was in a car accident. He had multiple fractures and had multiple surgeries.
He enjoyed being in the water in preparing for those surgeries. Afterward, he had surgeons tell him he was far ahead of where they thought he’d be in recovery.
Q: Do you have any other hobbies or interests you’d like to talk about?
A: The reason I love Collingwood so much is having the mountain in close proximity for hiking. I’m just learning how to ski.
I love being near the water. Last night I went paddleboarding.
Having the trail network in Collingwood is amazing. You can pretty much get anywhere using those trails.
Another hobby I started when I moved here is doing aerial silks through the Collingwood Circus Club. It’s so fun. I feel like a kid again.
Q: Is there anything else you’d like people in Collingwood to know about you?
A: Everyone has been so welcoming. Everyone I’ve met has been great. I love the community and the people here.
For our feature People of Collingwood, we’ll be speaking with interesting people who are either from or are contributing to the Collingwood community in some way, letting them tell their own stories in their own words. This feature will run on CollingwoodToday every weekend. If you’d like to nominate or suggest someone to be featured in People of Collingwood, email [email protected].
