Amid flurries and frozen ponds, winter sports athletes and enthusiasts alike soar down slopes and shoot slapshots nationwide. For Certified Athletic Therapist (Certified AT) Fayez Abdulrahman, working within winter sports is a significant part of his career. From the mountain peaks to skating rinks, Fayez shares with us the importance of effective training in helping athletes both literally and figuratively unlock new heights.
After graduating from Concordia University's Athletic Therapy program, Fayez didn’t set out to work in winter sports. In fact, his athletic therapy resume showcases an impressive range of sports, some taking him all the way to the Olympics. But being based in one of Canada’s most prominent hubs for national athletes, winter sports were an inevitable part of his journey. “I was introduced to a halfpipe snowboarder who was already an Olympian,” Fayez shared, and after evaluation of the athlete, Fayez identified areas of improvement and began refining her skills.
Highlighting the unique challenges of halfpipe snowboarding, Fayez referenced the significant technical precision it requires. While strapped in, halfpipe athletes are given little ankle mobility, yet they must perform intense physical feats—twisting, pivoting, and rotating ten to fifteen feet in the air, all the while landing with style.
While the halfpipe demands intense physical exertion, recreational downhill snowboarding also requires considerable physical effort and stamina. This makes proactive physical training just as beneficial for recreational athletes as it is for those competing at a high level. Whether beginner or expert, working with a Certified AT, like Fayez, can help ensure a stronger, more enjoyable winter season.
For Fayez, a key part of his treatment approach is proactive and preventative care. This involves examining the physical demands of the sport and identifying the risks and common injuries athletes face. For halfpipe snowboarders this could include concussions, impact-related injuries and joint strain. At this stage, he dives deeper into the athlete’s injury history to pinpoint vulnerable areas that may need extra attention, aiming to strengthen the weak points and improve performance.
Once the risks are mapped out, Fayez shifts his focus to laying a strong foundation for the athlete by focusing on improving hip and knee mobility, building core stability and enhancing ankle flexibility–foundational movement practices that crucial not only for executing halfpipe runs but recreational snowboarders looking to perform at their best. No matter the level of intensity, it’s about having the strength and agility to move with balance, coordination and confidence down the slopes.
Fayez has been working with this particular halfpipe athlete, a member of the Canadian National Snowboarding Team, for the last couple of years. Together, they have focused on rebuilding and reinforcing a stronger foundation, but it's the transition from training to execution that tests the limits of traditional athletic therapy approaches.
It’s this very challenge that Fayez thrives on, drawing from his rich history and experience in working with athletes in unique sports. “It’s always pushed me to think outside the box, and I really enjoy that aspect of the work,” he added, embracing the creative problem-solving that comes with training athletes in such a high-risk, specialized discipline.
The nature of the halfpipe snowboarding sport is understood from an outsider's perspective as anaerobic, with each run lasting around thirty seconds. However, Fayez pointed out that it is a lot more aerobic than it appears. The high-volume nature of the sport, paired with the high altitude in the mountains, inevitably causes heart rate to go up, demanding aerobic recovery time between runs. Fayez also noted that athletes must navigate the cold and altitude while conserving energy. “You have to find ways to stay warm without burning too much energy,” he said. “If you don’t look at environmental factors, you actually put the athlete at risk.”
While Athletic Therapy has brought Fayez to incredible locations all over the world, his typical day can vary depending on his clients’ needs. In the clinic, Fayez works with a diverse range of individuals focused on improving their physical well-being. Integrating the same kind of strength programming and conditioning he uses with extreme athletes, he helps clients build a solid foundation for sustained performance and injury prevention.
On other days, Fayez is on a mountain peak, working with elite athletes as part of his work with the Canadian National Halfpipe Snowboarding Team. Just this past November, he was in Austria supporting the team. In this environment, Fayez’s role shifts between assisting with warmups, overseeing runs and treating injuries that may arise. These long days require him to balance both recovery programming and immediate injury treatment.
With the National Team, Fayez works alongside a diverse group of Certified Athletic Therapists, Physiotherapists, Strength Coaches and High Performance Directors that span across the nation. Collaborating closely, this group of wellness professionals share the workload to make sure each athlete receives comprehensive care. Regular calls and case discussions strengthen this camaraderie, with each specialist trusting in the training they have received and their collective ability to empower the individuals they support.
From the clinic to the mountain, Fayez enjoys the diversity of his role. For him, the most rewarding part of the job is watching athletes and individuals pursue their dreams. For some, this means winning medals, for others, it’s about being able to be physically active without any chronic pain. “To me, the journey is what it's all about,” he said. Fayez is there through every peak and valley, practicing patience and relying on his training to guide his clients towards success. Helping them tap into their full potential is what drives him. “Showing them a world where they can use their body and become such a different athlete, watching their eyes glow with excitement, it is really incredible,” Fayez reflected.
For many, snowboarding is about enjoying the sport at their own pace, learning new techniques, improving skills and having fun. Fayez’s approach to building a solid foundation is not just about pushing limits but about creating longevity so the sport can be enjoyed for years to come.
Guided by the journey-based mantra, Fayez has helped the halfpipe snowboarder rework her training, leading to her first World Cup medal and two more at the World Championships. Similarly, after four years of training, Fayez worked alongside a figure skater who earned their first Nationals medal and later their first international medal, now ranking top two in Canada.
There is no mountain high enough for Certified AT Fayez Abdulrahman. Facing challenges with trust, persistence and dedication, it is his love for the journey and his commitment as a Certified AT that have allowed him to overcome challenges and help clients unlock their full potential.
In the end, whether you are an elite athlete, or simply hitting the slopes on the weekends, the principles of athletic therapy offer something for everyone. By building a solid foundation of strength and mobility you’ll be better equipped to reach your peak performance, whether that’s landing fifteen-foot jumps or being able to carve your way down the bunny hill with confidence. Athletic therapy isn't just for the pros, it is a valuable tool for anyone looking to get the most out of their time both on and off the mountain.
To learn more about the scope of practice for an Athletic Therapist, visit our website here. Stay up to date with CATA by following us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn!
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