MEDICUS FEBRUARY 2016

F O R T H E R E C O R D

Q. How would you describe your technique? BL: I think I’m an aggressive fencer, although my coach would like it to be more passive-aggressive. Fencing is all about timing and creating your bout to know the right time to be aggressive, and when to be passive. Q. Last year you visited Poland to train and compete. How did that unfold? BL: My coach hails from Poland; he would train the Polish girls many years ago. The girls are currently ranked top 16 in the world, and training with them exposes me to incredible experiences. I aim to train with them for at least two weeks every year, although I’d really like it to be at least two weeks every three months. Q. You have your sights set on qualifying for the 2020 Olympic Games? What is your game plan for Tokyo? BL: Since I began fencing, my priority has always been medicine. Over the next four years, as we progress towards Tokyo, I’d like a better balance. It will be difficult because as I advance from a junior doctor to a more senior post, my hours at work and responsibilities will be far greater than they are now. I am currently deciding between advancing my education, locum work or keeping the status quo. The beauty about medicine is that the possibilities are endless. I am about to start my Masters in Surgery, which is really exciting, and hopefully, should open more doors for me. Q. Any parallels between fencing and medicine? BL: I could go on and on about the similarities but I think it would suffice to say that both fencing and medicine are about your interaction with another person. Both activities demonstrate how one copes in a stressful situation, or how someone reacts when faced with an unsolvable problem. Both will challenge you mentally and physically with their own unique set of problems, and you will never find yourself in a ‘one size fits all’ situation. Q. The one person you would like to fence with? BL: Myself. I think the best way to figure out my weaknesses and areas of improvement is to witness it first hand. Q. Why is it important for doctors to have an interest in a pursuit beyond the medical world? BL: I don’t believe the need to have an external interest is isolated to the medical field. Whatever the job, having another pursuit encourages us to expand our critical thinking and creativity, and challenges us outside of our comfort zones. ■

Ear Science Institute Australia’s GP EXPO 2016

THE LINK BETWEEN HEARING LOSS & HEALTHY AGING

3rd March 2016

FREE ENTRY Food & Beverages Provided

Designed for GPs to provide useful, practical skills training on: Hearing Loss & Disease Managing Balance Disorders Wax and Otoscopy Single Sided Deafness

Limited places available, book today!

ESIAGPEXPO2016.eventbrite.com.au @

education@earscience.org.au

RACGP Accredited Course

RACGP No. 39339 RACGP Points Allocated: 4 ABN 48 804 903 003

F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 6 M E D I C U S 43