Growing up as a passionate sprinter, Elsabé Walsh discovered the importance of injury prevention and movement early on. Today, as a Bloemfontein-based biokineticist, she helps others improve their strength, mobility, and overall well-being – one step at a time.
“A lot of people follow inconsistent exercise routines and believe in quick fixes.”
Elsabé Walsh has always been drawn to movement. From her early days as a sprinter to her current role as a biokineticist, she understands the power of exercise in improving quality of life.
“I grew up on a farm about 50km outside of Cradock and graduated from Cradock High School in 2017,” she shares. “I have an older brother who works as an accountant, my mother is a school principal, and my father is a sheep farmer.”
Now based in Bloemfontein with her husband, Michael, Elsabé works as a biokineticist, helping people regain strength and mobility through exercise.
Her journey into biokinetics started during her athletic career. “I was a 100m and 200m sprinter, and in grade 9, I was invited to join the Eastern Cape Academy of Sport at Nelson Mandela University. Every holiday, I had to go for training, where biokineticists would evaluate and test us for injury prevention. That sparked something in me.”
What she loves most about her work is seeing progress in her patients. “Movement improves a person’s physical well-being and quality of life. After 4-6 weeks, you can see a definite improvement, and that gives me a lot of fulfilment.”
However, many people make the mistake of expecting instant results. “A lot of people follow inconsistent exercise routines and believe in quick fixes,” she says.
Her advice? “Follow an evidence-based exercise programme. A structured plan provides clarity, helps track progress, and shows whether you’re improving or not.”
When she’s not working, Elsabé enjoys cycling with her husband. “Michael and I spend a lot of time riding our tandem bicycle together! We also like to do sprints around the block after a long day.” She further unwinds by watching series or movies and has a passion for cooking. “I’d like to consider myself quite a good cook. I find cooking very therapeutic, and it helps me relax.”
If she could switch careers for a day, she’d love to be an athletics coach. “Working with up-and-coming athletes would be amazing.”
But for now, she remains motivated by the impact she makes every day. “Seeing how the work I do directly improves my patients’ quality of life keeps me passionate.”
For Elsabé Walsh, movement isn’t just about fitness – it’s about transformation, one step at a time.
Text: Justine Fortuin / Photograph(s): Gypseenia Lion
