Embracing new opportunities has shaped Madalyn’s academic and career journey.
Her first postsecondary “yes” came with a scholarship that took Maddie, as she’s known, to North Carolina, where she earned an undergraduate degree in kinesiology and played basketball. After returning to Canada, she stayed open to ways to apply her degree. When an old coach mentioned that the Mohawk College women’s basketball team might need an assistant coach, Maddie jumped at the chance. As a part-time coach, she unexpectedly fell in love with the sport again.
Then she said yes, not only to returning to the court as a varsity player on a scholarship but also to rethinking her career path.
Drawing on her athletic background and curiosity about sports health, Maddie realized the Massage Therapy program would let her apply her previous education while learning about hands-on care. It was an enterprising choice, shaped by a willingness to try something new.
“I love my team, the Massage Therapy program, the people I’ve met here, the education that I’m getting—the whole community of Mohawk College,” Maddie says. “It’s kind of hard to top the decision to come here.”
Expanding ambition through industry-led learning
Entering the program, Maddie says she wasn’t sure what to expect. She discovered a rigorous field of study that extends far beyond soft-tissue manipulation, delving into anatomy and a range of pathologies.
“I wasn’t expecting it to be so in-depth, but I think it’s really interesting,” says Maddie, now in her third year. “One thing [faculty] emphasize is that we’re healthcare providers. We need to know these things because we might be someone’s first step toward improving their health.”
Throughout the program, Maddie has continued to say “yes” to different possibilities. While she’s always wanted to work with other athletes, she’s embraced new areas of practice, including relaxation massage. She’s also come to appreciate the challenge of hands-on, industry-led learning, like working with clients at a stroke rehabilitation clinic.
“It’s very intimidating because a lot of clients have a history of stroke or heart attack … so you don’t want to hurt them,” she says. “But the second the client is in front of you, [you realize], ‘I’m able to communicate with you, and we’re going to be able to make a treatment plan that helps you.’”
That willingness to step outside her comfort zone has also led Maddie to several impactful moments. Recently, she spoke to Mohawk College’s Board of Governors alongside another basketball player and their athletic director. While she never imagined preparing a presentation like that, she says it helped her grow as a leader. She’s also part of the Mountaineer Leadership Committee, which led to an opportunity to speak with Mohawk College’s president, Paul Armstrong.
“It was a really cool chance to get my foot in the door and speak with people who are much higher up than I am,” she says. “…So, to be able to get involved in the community [has been great].”
Where opportunity meets support
Maddie carries her “yes” approach into every part of her college journey. On campus, she balances her studies with a job at the David Braley Athletic & Recreation Centre (DBARC) front desk. Beyond helping cover living expenses, the job has connected her with students, staff and athletes. Those interactions have further strengthened Maddie’s sense of on-campus community.
At the same time, she credits the people around her for helping her make the most of every experience. While her sister and dad have been constants along the way, her coach has played an especially influential role, helping her navigate challenges in athletics, academics and leadership.
“…My coach [has also been] super helpful,” she says. “… I know if I called him right now, he would pick up and be able to help me with whatever I needed … It shows how he cares about us as more than just basketball players but as humans.”
With a habit of accepting new challenges and a supportive network, Maddie is turning her enterprising mindset into meaningful experiences and a career in massage therapy.
