Brittany is building strength in the clinic and on the platform
Whether she's helping clients regain independence or competing on the national stage, Mackay alumna Brittany Nicolas is passionate about the power of exercise to transform lives.
As an Accredited Exercise Physiologist, Brittany supports people living with disability, neurological conditions and chronic disease to improve their health and wellbeing. Away from work, she recently competed at the Australian Powerlifting League (APL) Nationals in Sydney as part of the AusFitness Expo.
After completing a Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Sciences at CQUniversity in 2021 and later undertaking further study in clinical exercise physiology, Brittany has built a career centred on helping people achieve meaningful health outcomes through evidence-based exercise.
She said her passion for exercise science was driven by a desire to create lasting change in people's lives.
"I've always been fascinated by how targeted movement can change someone's life," she said.
"Growing up in the Mackay region, CQUniversity was the most accessible pathway into a field where I could make a real difference.
"Just because someone is living in a regional, rural or remote community shouldn't mean they don't have access to high-quality exercise expertise."
Brittany said practical learning experiences and placements throughout her degree played a significant role in shaping her future career.
"Some of my most meaningful memories come from practical classes and placements where theory became real," she said.
"Working with clients living with neurological conditions or chronic disease showed me how powerful exercise can be when applied with care and evidence-based reasoning."
She also credits her lecturers and mentors with helping develop her professional approach.
"Their passion for clinical practice, high standards and belief in the role of exercise in healthcare pushed me to think critically and question everything."
Today, Brittany works with clients pursuing goals ranging from improved mobility and strength to returning to work and increasing their independence.
She said helping people achieve outcomes they once thought were beyond reach remains the most rewarding part of her role.
"Whether it's someone with a neurological condition improving their mobility and independence, or a cancer patient regaining strength after treatment to be present for their children, those moments remind me why this profession matters."
While supporting others to achieve their goals, Brittany has continued pursuing her own through competitive powerlifting.
Her interest in the sport developed during university when she recognised how closely powerlifting aligned with the exercise science principles she was studying.
"Powerlifting became the perfect intersection between evidence-based practice and lived experience," she said.
"The sport allows me to experience the same principles I use with clients every day, including building tissue capacity, managing fatigue and celebrating measurable progress."
As both a clinician and athlete, Brittany believes her professional knowledge provides a unique perspective on training and competition.
"I don't just train hard, I train intelligently. I understand the 'why' behind every training block, every lift and every adjustment."
Balancing a demanding clinical career with high-level competition requires discipline and careful planning, but Brittany believes the two pursuits complement each other.
"Experiencing fatigue, setbacks and progression first-hand helps me better support clients," she said.
"It keeps me empathetic, grounded and aligned with the principles that guide my practice."
Looking ahead, Brittany hopes to continue developing her expertise in oncology rehabilitation while setting her sights on earning another opportunity to compete at the Australian Powerlifting League Nationals in 2027.
For current and future CQUniversity students, her advice is simple.
"Back yourself," she said.
"Your degree gives you the tools to make a real difference in people's lives. Stay curious, stay compassionate and stay committed to learning. The impact you can have on someone's independence, confidence and quality of life is bigger than you realise."
Begin your journey into sports science like Brittany with CQU’s Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science.
