A long time ago

Back when I was 18, I attended Athens University of Economics and Business to study Business and Management. A few years later I graduated with a BSc in Business Administration (major Accounting & Finance) and an MBA with specialisation in technology. Growing up, I was a “high flyer” at school (also quite unsure of what I wanted at the time) so I was pushed towards “high status” / “good salary” professions.
As it turned out, I wasn’t made for sitting behind a desk. I have always had a talent for anything physical. Growing up, I tried many sports and knew I was made for that. I was a competitive swimmer during elementary school and played volleyball throughout my high school years. When I turned 21, the sport of windsurfing won me over. 5 years after picking up the sport, I started competing on an international level in the World Championship of the PWA. Although I didn’t pursue a “full-time” professional career as an athlete, I did quite well in international competitions, including 2nd in one of the events in Gran Canaria 2008 and 5th overall PWA Wave in 2009 and 2011. I won the greek women wave & freestyle title several times.

Life changing events
My journey involves two major upsets which had me change course. The first one was an accident whilst training jumps on the water in March 2010: I sustained a quadruple fracture on the body of my C2 vertebra. Second one was in April 2014, I was hit by a vehicle whilst crossing the street. The bumper of that car hit me right under the knee and I sustained a 6th degree tibial plateau fracture on my right leg. Although this accident marked the end of my competitive aspirations it turned out to be a blessing, too. As we say in Greece, ill winds blow somebody (or somewhere) good! After several months in rehab/physiotherapy, I realised that my natural working environment is not a desk and a computer (although I do still spend a considerable amount of time learning and writing!!). I became increasingly interested in learning how the human body works, started coaching people in windsurfing and embarked on a new career to help people practice sports, maintain a healthy body, fight disease and reach their goals.

The transition
My first experience teaching windsurfing was in 2008; I did it without any formal qualification. I organised the first “girls windsurfing camp” in Greece, aiming to introduce more girls to the sport and inspire them to progress in windsurfing. Between 2008 – 2011, my girls camps had a total of 300 participants, a record number for Greece. In 2011 I earned my first windsurfing coach certification.
The next step I took towards becoming a full time coach was quitting my job in business/technology to pursue a personal trainer diploma in London in 2015. I completed this qualification a year later, with plenty of skills to get me going plus the certainty that this career transition required more than what is covered within a professional PT certification. I wanted a deeper understanding of sport and exercise science. Α year later (December 2017) I sat exams to enter the Physical Education & Sport Science Department of the National & Kapodistrian University of Athens. I graduated with my BSc in June 2021.

Today
I am completing my MSc in Sport Science. I work as a Physical Education teacher in primary education and as a strength and conditioning coach for individuals and athletes aiming to improve their health, fitness and performance.