Shannon Short - Bachelor of Human Movement, 2003
“My passion is helping people to move freely and enjoy the activities that bring them joy.”
Shannon Short graduated with a Bachelor of Human Movement (Exercise Science) in 2003 and went on to complete a Graduate Diploma of Exercise Science (Rehabilitation) in 2011 at the Bathurst Campus.
Shannon’s career objectives were always clear to her.
Attending University was always the direction I had planned for my career. I have always wanted to have my own business where we help people to exercise without limitation or to bring exercise into their lives no matter their ability.
Thirteen years into her career and the Director of her very own practice BODY FX Exercise Physiology. Shannon works with her PT husband and two other alumni Exercise Physiologists to help the people of Bathurst get their bodies moving well!
Key to this next step in her career growth was lecturer and friend Dr Stephen Bird’s recommendation to return to study and complete the Graduate Diploma in Exercise Science (Rehabilitation). Grateful for this mentorship, Shannon believes that this path was “instrumental” in starting her own business.
The biggest career challenge Shannon has faced so far was moving into business for herself full time. Wrestling and overcoming self-doubt “believing that you can support yourself financially from your business.”
Shannon credits BodyFX’s growth to her continued community outreach, building referral networks to sustain her new business. “There are always new challenges as you grow. Particularly when you take in new team members and look to increase the number of clients coming in.”
Helping Shannon to push through the tough times was her family who are very proud of her achievements. “I am thankful that they have always given the support for me to move in the direction I needed and wanted to do for my learning and career.”
The most rewarding aspects of what Shannon does is helping people to move and exercise to be healthier. “I love seeing clients achieving outcomes they had been hoping to reach. We are still building a wider community and want to reach and help more people. We have added new services just recently including sports nutrition and Pilates and we can't wait to see these areas grow.”
Shannon’s strongest memories of her time at Charles Sturt was forming the lifelong friendships with her fellow Exercise Science students. Going to university games and the comradery of the university students to support each other was a real highlight. “A number of my lecturers positively impacted on my learning and I feel they also significantly shaped where I am today.”
In a recent initiative to give back to the Charles Sturt community Shannon became an Ambassador for the Charles Sturt 2021 Alumni Fun Run. As part of this event Shannon was able to combine two of her passions – running and her work, “I love to run! It's my thinking time and where I love to challenge myself.” Throughout the event Shannon shared her professional knowledge with fellow alumni while raising money for the Regional Impact Scholarship Fund.
When she’s not at work Shannon loves spending time with her young family, gardening and taking on small wood working projects. “My family and I love the beach, we try to get away a few times through the year to get sand on our feet and dip our ties in the ocean.”