Meet Caitlyn: Physio by Day, Cheerleader by Night

Some may know Caitlyn as one of our talented physios at Rocky Bay…but you might not know that she’s also a world-stage cheerleading superstar!

This year Caitlyn helped her all-star cheerleading team, Toxic Weapons, achieve an incredible milestone – placing third at the 2026 Cheerleading World Championships in Orlando, Florida. It’s a result that not only reflects years of dedicated training but also highlights how work-life balance and the right support can literally make dreams come true.

Caitlyn has been part of Rocky Bay for two years, starting as a new graduate physiotherapist. Based in Rockingham, she works with a wide range of customers across different ages and backgrounds, helping them improve mobility, independence and quality of life.

Her decision to join Rocky Bay was driven by a desire to work in the disability sector, alongside the organisation’s reputation for supporting early-career professionals.

Outside of work, Caitlyn’s journey to the big stage began with a childhood in gymnastics. After stepping away from the sport as a teenager, she rediscovered her love of movement at university through cheerleading.

“I saw my uni had a cheerleading club and thought it would suit my gymnastics background (and love of tumbling), and be a good way to meet people,” she said.

That decision sparked the beginning of what became six years of intense training with her team. They competed in the Level 5 Open Small Co-Ed division, where Caitlyn and her teammates faced some of the best athletes in the world. She describes the teams “hunger for more” which then culminated in their biggest achievement yet – winning bronze at the World Championships!

“It was the most exciting experience ever,” said Caitlyn. “We were actually quite nervous because we had a fall on the second day. But it was such an incredible outcome for us.”

To get there, the team first had to earn a coveted bid by winning at nationals in Queensland.

Months of intense preparation followed – training three times a week for three-hour sessions, combined with additional strength and conditioning work outside of scheduled practice.

“It was a long journey,” Caitlyn explained. “We trained in the evenings and weekends all year round. It’s a big time commitment for sure.”

And the heavy training load wasn’t just to keep refining their skills, but also to prevent injury.

“Injury prevention is a big part that we manage on the team,” explained Caitlyn. “There’s a lot of sore shoulders and ankles. Ankles tend to be a big one, with people rolling them.”

Cheerleading at this level is as much mental as it is physical. Caitlyn credits her team’s dedicated mindset coach with helping them manage the immense pressure of competition.

“We actually did a lot of mindset training,” said Caitlyn. “We had a dedicated coach from the US, and she helped us manage the mental side of it. She gave us little strategies to help with nerves and pressure, and any mental blocks we might have had. She helped us come together and be on the same page.”

Those skills don’t just stay on the competition floor – they carry over into her everyday life.

“The tools we learned helped bring calm and positivity to every situation,” said Caitlyn, “which can definitely be implemented into everyday life. It’s helped me view things a lot more optimistically. Like if something’s a little bit hard, there’s always going to be a positive side to it.”

Caitlyn talks passionately about the 24-strong team she spends so much time with and the bond they formed with one another.

“Our team had something really special. We were all just so connected and we always said that we’re like family. It really helped having trust in each other – it’s obviously such an important part of cheerleading, especially when you’re throwing each other around in the air and expecting each other to catch you and prevent you from falling!

So we all kind of held each other up. We had a metaphor for this that was explained to us…that if one of us was over a cliff, and you had to hold a rope for them, then you’re not going to let go. You must hold that rope. You must pull harder for the other person. If someone was struggling on the team, you also pull that rope a little bit harder for them. And so that stuck with us throughout the season.”

That same mindset resonates strongly with Caitlyn’s work.

“In both environments, you’re part of a team that supports each other,” she said. “Whether it’s colleagues or teammates, that trust makes a huge difference.”

While Caitlyn’s schedule has been demanding – balancing work, training, travel and recovery – she says having a passion outside of work has been important to maintaining her wellbeing.

“When I’m at cheer, I’m not thinking about work,” she said. “I think it’s important to switch off from work sometimes. It helps avoid that burnout, which is very common in the health profession and in allied health. So I really appreciated having that kind of outlet to take my mind off of work. I felt like it really did give me that work-life balance.”

This balance has been made possible by the flexibility and support she’s received at Rocky Bay.

“My manager, Jess Nye, has been amazing – she’s been like my biggest cheerleader,” Caitlyn said. “She’s always been behind me, supporting me if I need to take leave and being flexible with work hours. I’ve always felt supported.”

Caitlyn’s story reflects Rocky Bay’s broader commitment to supporting staff not just as professionals, but as individuals.

Through structured development pathways, regular goal-setting and a culture that values wellbeing, employees are encouraged to grow both in and outside their roles.

“There are definitely pathways to progress,” Caitlyn said. “I’ve been able to set goals with my manager and think about where I want to go in my career, it’s really exciting.”

Having achieved a top-three finish in the world, Caitlyn now has her feet firmly on the ground (for now).

“I’m actually retired from cheerleading – I’ve kind of put a plug in it for now,” said Caitlyn. ”It’s been a long time and I just need a break from it. It’s been a big commitment, financially too. But I’ve left it on a really sweet note. I’m looking at wanting to save for other travels, you know, exploring other parts of the world. And with Rocky Bay, I want to keep progressing.”

Whether she’s helping a customer take their next step or lifting a teammate to new heights, one thing is clear – Caitlyn is always aiming higher!