Meet Nicole Coffey, our resident pelvic floor guru and one of the owners of Ladner Village Physiotherapy. Here, she answers some great and some ridiculous questions about what makes her tick.
What is something totally random that people won’t know about you?
When I was in Grade 1 I won a North American Crayola kids art contest. It was a pastel drawing of a green lizard and I named it “the happiest lizard” (as you do when 6 years old). It did a North American tour (was temporarily lost and recovered in an earthquake in California… why they chose to salvage a 6 year old’s drawing is still beyond me) and I believe it is now sitting in some executive’s office at Crayola headquarters.
Fun fact #2: I know every single word to the entire script (not just the songs but the entire script) to Phantom of the Opera. I memorized it in Grade 5 and it stuck. Literally every single word. I wish I had that kind of retention in physio school, it would have helped a lot with my anatomy exams.
When did you decide you wanted to be a physio?
Excellent question! It all started when I was very young (maybe 10) and had knee pain while I was playing soccer. Then one day my coach taped my knee for me before the game and I played the ENTIRE game pain free. My little brain was blown, I didn’t know what kind of magic this man had but I was going to find out. As I got older I was still very into sports and also into science. My type A brain started planning how I could combine these two things into a career. By grade 10 I had decided that I wanted to be a physiotherapist (not a doctor because I pass out too easily), but a physio. I did my undergraduate degree at SFU in Kinesiology with a certificate in Health and Wellness and then went to UBC for my Master’s degree. It’s a good thing it all worked out because I really didn’t have a backup plan.
Which sports are you into?
When I was little I played soccer, competitive softball (I was a catcher) and did a lot of horseback riding. These days I mostly run and workout in the gym, but I’m always up for a game of slow pitch!
Where did you grow up?
Ladner. I went to Hawthorne Elementary and then DSS. I lived in Vancouver while doing my Master’s degree but the promptly moved back to South Delta once I had graduated. I still live in Ladner within walking distance from the clinic, which is awesome.
What is your favourite orthopaedic condition to treat?
I really love treating a stiff/sore neck. Tennis elbow is a solid second place. Bring it on!
Favourite pelvic floor condition to treat:
Hmmm this is a toss up. I really love treating urinary incontinence (stress or urge) because it is generally a very simple fix with great results, which is so encouraging for people. But I think my absolute favourite demographic are women who are suffering with painful intercourse. Usually by the time people get to me they have been to several doctors and dealing with the condition for several years. Dyspareunia (painful intercourse) is so common (1 in 4) but people generally don’t talk about it. I love helping these women overcome their pain.
What makes you happiest?
My kids. They’re still small and in that stage where they think I’m the most awesome thing in the world. Several times per day I think to myself “ok if I could just freeze time and stay here forever I would die happy.” (Disclaimer: this is when they’re being sweet and cuddly, often times I am ready to put them to bed early so I can hear myself think again).
LIGHTNING ROUND!!!!!
Cats or dogs? Dogs!
Favourite food? Ahi tuna
Favourite dessert: Nanaimo Bars
Favourite Junk food: movie popcorn
Beach or mountains: Both
Favourite colour: Blush pink
Favourite music: No idea. I’m eclectic. I love country, classic rock, and everything in between. If you forced an answer I would probably say Elton John.
Favorite day of the week? Friday
Nickname? Nic?
Would you rather be able to speak every language in the world or be able to talk to animals? Oh my gosh I don’t know.
Favorite holiday? CHRISTMAS
How long does it take you to get ready? 10 min. (The kids are another story)
Invisibility or super strength? Invisibility
Is it wrong for a vegetarian to eat animal crackers? Nope!
Dawn or dusk? Dawn
Do you snore? No
Place you most want to travel? Japan
Last Halloween costume? A skeleton
Favorite number? 15. It was my softball jersey number.
Have you ever worn socks with sandals? Perhaps at home. Or at the ball park… don’t judge.
Would you rather cuddle with a baby panda or a baby penguin? Panda
Would you want to live forever? No
What's for dinner tonight? No idea, probably sushi.