James Kennedy

James Kennedy says his studies in Physical Education at St Andrew’s definitely helped to prepare him for his future career as a podiatrist.

“My passion for Physical Education was nurtured at St Andrew’s and ultimately led me to choosing podiatry when I decided on a long-term career path. I loved the practical aspects of the subject, both at St Andrew’s, and at the University of Otago, where I gained a bachelor’s degree and Master’s in Physical Education.”

After leaving university, James worked as a personal trainer on cruise ships. During this time, he developed a passion for injuries to the lower limb and foot, so gave up life at sea to return to New Zealand to specialise in podiatry.

His ultimate goals are to run his own podiatry business, and nurture people into the wider field of Physical Education, he says. “Physical Education is about so much more than sport and exercise. Learning how to communicate effectively and work together as a team are just a few other skills it helped me to develop. Without Physical Education, I would not have the knowledge and skills which have allowed me to get to where I am today.”