Stories about the Class of 2026 | Abby Gooch, Bachelor of Kinesiology.
Abby Gooch found that health isn’t as binary as she once thought. The Bachelor of Kinesiology graduate says the faculty exposed her to new ways of thinking about health and wellness, ultimately changing the future she saw for herself.
“Health can be emotional, social, physical and spiritual,” says Gooch. “Being an FKRM student has made me want to have a more holistic approach to health and wellness.”
Gooch says the kinesiology program exposed her to different disciplines like psychology, sociology and physiology. The combination of these new perspectives let her understand how they interconnect and shape our experiences.
“It is so eye-opening to be able to listen to researchers across Canada talk about their innovative projects,” says Gooch. “It’s inspiring to see so many people in the health industry who truly want to make the world a better place.”
For Gooch, she felt that passion every day in the faculty. She says her classmates were “go-getters” with a desire to help other. That is thanks in part to the support of the faculty and staff who were always there to lend a hand.
“All the instructors were incredibly supportive and would go the extra mile to help us succeed. Whether it was accommodating or aiding in understanding content, the professors and instructors were always happy to help,” she says.
Gooch and the other students were all on the same page in wanting to make the industry a more accessible and inclusive space, she says. Being able to see the same familiar faces allowed them to create a welcoming community to connect, share perspectives and help each other succeed.
As her time in the faculty continued, Gooch was encouraged by faculty and students to get embrace new opportunities. It was a choice that ultimately saw more career possibilities open up to her. As an Undergraduate Research Award recipient Gooch dove into qualitative research and found a greater appreciation for the perspectives of both the client and patient.
“Participating in undergraduate research really changed how I saw my future career,” says Gooch.
She says the URAs gave her clarity on what she wants for her future. This fall, Gooch will be starting her Master's of Physical Therapy, where she is excited to soak up as much new information as she can. A “life-long learner,” she hopes the hands-on experience will help inform future research questions.
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