Movement as Medicine

Episode Summary

In this inspiring episode of Beyond Better, we sit down with Dr. Rebecca Robinson, a leading consultant in Sport and Exercise Medicine at the Marylebone Health Group (MHG). Rebecca shares her remarkable journey from being an elite international runner to pioneering the "Exercise as Medicine" movement. We explore how physical activity is far more than just a tool for athletes; it is a profound therapeutic intervention for chronic conditions, cancer recovery, and long-term health.

From her work closing the gender data gap in female health to her innovative approach to treating Long COVID, Rebecca redefines what it means to be a specialist in her field. Join us as we discover how movement, when tailored and supported by a multidisciplinary team, can be the most powerful medicine for everyone.

Key Moments & Timestamps

• [00:00:00] – Introduction to Dr. Rebecca Robinson and her holistic approach to Sport and Exercise Medicine.
• [00:03:15] – Rebecca’s transition from hospital medicine to the evolving specialty of SEM.
• [00:04:30] – The foundational philosophy: Why fitter patients tolerate illness and treatment better.
• [00:06:45] – Discussing the new College for Sport, Exercise, and Musculoskeletal Medicine and the overlap with Lifestyle Medicine.
• [00:08:30] – The importance of a multidisciplinary team (MDT) in elite sport and how MHG applies this to all patients.
• [00:10:30] – Insights into the Moving Medicine project and the evidence for exercise in chronic disease management.
• [00:12:15] – Rebecca’s work with Long COVID: Listening to patients when the "textbooks" hadn't been written yet.
• [00:14:45] – A community-first approach: Applying sports medicine models to underserved populations.
• [00:16:30] – The psychological side of injury: Managing "athletic identity" and the fear of losing one’s coping strategy.
• [00:19:00] – Motivational interviewing: Finding the unique "spark" that helps a patient overcome barriers to movement.
• [00:21:15] – Prehabilitation: Using exercise to prepare high-risk patients for major surgery.
• [00:24:00] – The future of SEM: Integrating exercise specialists into the NHS and broader public health initiatives.
• [00:27:30] – Rebecca’s guest recommendation for the next episode.

Guests & People Mentioned

• Dr. Rebecca Robinson – Consultant in Sport & Exercise Medicine at MHG and elite marathon/mountain runner.
• Professor Mike Loosemore MBE – Director of Sport & Exercise Medicine and Co-Founder of MHG.
• Tom Cowan – Clinical Exercise Physiologist and expert in exercise oncology.
• Jo Rycroft – Clinical Exercise Physiologist and specialist in cardiovascular and cancer rehabilitation.

Connect with Us

• Learn more about the Marylebone Health Group (MHG)
• Follow Dr. Rebecca Robinson’s work on Exercise Oncology and Female Health

@beyondbetterpod