My Career: ‘There is immense satisfaction when clients return to the lives they love’

Name: Lowry O’Mahony

Age: 40

Live: Clonakilty, Co Cork.

Job title: Chartered Physiotherapist, Clinical Pilates Specialist, Business Owner & Founder.

Salary bracket: €60,000+

Education background: I initially went to University College Cork to study Physics and Astrophysics. After a year, I decided that while I loved the subject, I would prefer a career working directly with people.

I returned home to Sacred Heart Secondary School in Clonakilty to repeat my Leaving Certificate. This was a difficult decision at the time, as my friends were progressing into their second year of college while I was moving back home to school again.

I then studied physiotherapy at the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, which was a fantastic experience in an excellent institution. Since qualifying, I have completed extensive postgraduate education in musculoskeletal rehabilitation, Pilates-based rehabilitation, pain science, and exercise prescription.

I continue to engage in regular professional development to ensure my practice remains evidence-based and up to date.

Hobbies: Running, reading, Pilates, learning about health and longevity, business development, and spending time with my three kids and husband.

Describe your job in five words: Helping people live stronger lives.

Describe yourself in five words: Driven, empathetic, curious, resilient, practical.

Personality needed for this kind of work:

You need to be a good listener — patient and calm, but also confident and decisive. Strong communication skills are essential, alongside curiosity, problem-solving ability, and resilience. You must be comfortable motivating people when change feels difficult for them. This ultimately leads to immense job satisfaction when clients regain strength and confidence, and return to the lives they love.

How long are you doing this job?

16 years

How did you get this job?

After leaving school, I chose physiotherapy because I was fascinated by the human body, movement, sports injuries, and helping people recover from injury. After qualifying, I worked with several sports teams in Ireland, the UK, and Australia.

I spent two years working in the NHS in hospital settings, while also working part-time in a private clinic. In Australia, I worked in a clinical rehabilitation company helping injured clients return to work, while continuing to teach Pilates in private practice throughout this time.

Ten years ago, I returned to Ireland and founded Max Physio and Pilates — and I haven’t looked back.

Over time, I noticed that many patients were not just injured, but deconditioned, fearful of movement, or unsure how to exercise safely, which strongly shaped the direction of my work.

Do you need particular qualifications or experience?

Yes. You must be a qualified and chartered physiotherapist. Postgraduate training in musculoskeletal care, exercise prescription, and rehabilitation is essential.

I have also undertaken numerous Pilates training courses and qualifications.

Business ownership requires additional skills in leadership, finance, marketing, and strategy, which are often learned on the job. I have received excellent mentoring and support from the Local Enterprise Office in developing these skills. Physiotherapy also requires continuous professional development - about 30 hours per year - to stay up to date with changes in research throughout your career.

Describe a day at work:

A typical day in the clinic involves assessing patients with pain or injury, explaining what is happening in their bodies, and reassuring them using evidence-based education. I design individual exercise programmes, supervise Pilates and strength-based rehabilitation sessions, and progress clients safely over time.

Days spent in the office involve meetings, reviewing policies and services, identifying areas for improvement, managing staff, developing new services, working on business strategy, creating educational content, and liaising with other healthcare professionals. No two days are ever the same.

How many hours do you work a week?

Approximately 38–50 hours, depending on workload.

Is your industry male or female-dominated?

Physiotherapy and Pilates are female-dominated professions.

Does this affect you in any particular way?

It can positively influence communication and empathy, particularly with female clients. There can occasionally be a bias where some men prefer to see male therapists, just as some female clients may prefer female therapists.

Is your job stressful? How? Rate it on a scale of 1–10:

Yes. Responsibility for patients’ health, running businesses, managing staff, and financial pressures can be stressful. I would rate it a 7–8 out of 10.

Do you work with others or on your own?

Both. I work closely with my amazing physiotherapy and Pilates team, but also spend a significant amount of time working independently on strategy and planning or with my fantastic managers.

When do you plan to retire or give up working?

I don’t have a fixed retirement age. Research shows that retirement can negatively impact mental health if there is no sense of purpose, routine, or social connection. I prefer the idea of contributing to society in a different way as I get older — perhaps through part-time advisory or mentoring roles — supporting others in their careers. Keeping the brain active as we age is incredibly important.

Best bits:

Helping people regain confidence in their bodies, meeting amazing clients, working with my fantastic team, seeing long-term progress, building businesses aligned with my values, and knowing my work has a meaningful impact on health and quality of life.

Worst bits:

Administrative workload, HR challenges, financial risk within the business, managing a team, time pressure, and emotional fatigue when supporting people in pain or distress.

Advice to those who want your job:

Be prepared for life-long learning. Develop strong communication skills, not just technical knowledge. Understand that careers evolve — you don’t need to have everything figured out at the start. Build resilience, seek mentors, and don’t be afraid to follow opportunities that align with your values rather than a straight-line career path.

My biggest advice is to find the best person you know in the role you aspire to and ask them for guidance.

Any other comments:

This career is deeply rewarding but demanding. Success comes from combining clinical expertise with empathy, consistency, and the courage to innovate when you see gaps in care.