Megan O'Shea
For Megan O’Shea, fitness and movement have always played a central role in her life.
Initially, she pursued a degree in International Business while working as a personal trainer, but she soon realised that the business world wasn’t where her true passion lay.
Instead, her growing interest in anatomy, physiology, and injury rehabilitation led her to take a different path – one that would allow her to make a real impact on people’s lives.
She found Portobello Institute and switched her study path to our BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy degree, graduating in May 2024. This degree laid the foundation for Megan to progress onto her MSc Physiotherapy (Pre-registration).
“After completing my first year in business, I realised I couldn’t see myself working in that industry long-term. During my personal training course, I developed a real passion for anatomy and physiology, and I knew I needed to change career paths. I also really enjoyed working one-on-one and in group settings with people who wanted to train and feel better.
“My desire to pursue physiotherapy grew from working with clients in the gym, many of whom had injuries. I wanted to learn more so I could help them progress toward their training goals in a safe and effective way.
“I knew that studying was the right path for me because I wanted to build a deeper understanding of the human body and how to help people recover from injuries effectively.
“While working as a personal trainer, I often saw clients struggling with injuries, and I realised that to really help them, I needed more knowledge and clinical expertise.
“Studying sports therapy gave me the opportunity to combine my passion for movement, rehab, and performance with evidence-based practice. I wanted a career where I could make a real impact, and furthering my education was the best way to achieve that,” she said.
Choosing Portobello Institute
When Megan first explored her options, she considered athletic therapy but quickly realised that the traditional route would require a year-long wait before she could even begin studying. Not wanting to delay her progress, she started researching other pathways and discovered Portobello Institute.
“I initially wanted to pursue athletic therapy, but with the CAO system and application deadlines, I was told I would have to wait a full year before starting. That would have meant taking a year out and then committing to a four-year programme to qualify.
“I heard about Portobello through a friend in the year ahead of me. They told me the course was practical, well-structured, and a great entry point into the industry. After speaking with the course advisors, I knew it was the right choice for me. It allowed me to start immediately and qualify in just three years, rather than taking a longer, more drawn-out route.
“This also meant I could complete a two-year master’s in physiotherapy afterward, making it a more efficient route than waiting a full year and then four years to qualify through athletic therapy to then do another 2-year master’s in physiotherapy,” she said.
Following Her Passion for Sports Therapy
For Megan, choosing this course was all about following her passion. From her early days in the gym, she knew she loved helping people move better, feel stronger, and recover from injuries.
“Studying this course was 100% following my passion. My interest in anatomy and physiology really grew during studying just the basics in my personal training course, and I loved helping people move better and feel stronger. Working in the gym, I saw so many people training with injuries or discomfort, and I wanted to understand more about how to help them properly. That’s what pushed me toward sports therapy and physiotherapy.
“I’ve always been passionate about movement, injury rehab, and performance. I love seeing how the right approach to rehab and training can make such a difference in someone’s recovery and confidence. Whether it’s working with athletes or the general population, my passion is helping people get back to doing what they love—pain-free and stronger than before!” she said.
A Hands-On Learning Experience
Megan describes her time at Portobello Institute as both busy and rewarding. The combination of theory-based learning and practical experience gave her the confidence to apply her skills in real-world settings.
“My time studying Sports Therapy at Portobello Institute was definitely busy—not just because of lectures but also due to the amount of work that is available in the sports industry. That being said, it was very manageable to work outside of lecture hours, so I didn’t feel too under pressure in that sense.
“I started my work placement in second year with Shelbourne FC Men’s First Team before moving to Shamrock Rovers Academy in 3rd year.
“Alongside my studies, I also completed a Pitch side First Aid course and a Strapping and Taping course, which allowed me to work pitch side and get student insurance and gain real experience working with teams.
“The course requires 250 placement hours, but I went well beyond that, and I’d recommend doing the same to anyone who has the time. The more hands-on experience you get, the more confident you become in applying what you learn in the classroom to real-world situations,” she said.
Why Choose Portobello Institute?
“The best thing about studying at Portobello Institute was the practical focus of the course, along with the flexibility it offered. I was able to gain a significant amount of hands-on experience through placements and extra courses, which really set it apart.
“The ability to work a good amount outside of lecture hours meant that I could apply what I was learning in real-world situations without feeling overwhelmed. I had the opportunity to work with professional teams like Shelbourne FC and Shamrock Rovers Academy, which really helped me build confidence.
“The balance between theory and practical learning, along with the support from the staff, made it a great experience overall.
“I would definitely recommend Portobello Institute to a friend. The course is very practical and focused on giving you real-world experience, which is exactly what you need to succeed in the industry.
“I really appreciated how manageable the workload was outside of lectures, allowing me to gain a lot of hands-on experience through placements. The staff are supportive, and the learning environment encourages you to build confidence and apply what you learn in a practical setting.
“If you’re looking for a career-focused, practical approach to sports therapy or physiotherapy, I think Portobello is a great choice,” she said.
A Career Moving Forward
“This course at Portobello Institute was definitely the right choice for me. It aligned perfectly with my passion for anatomy, physiology, and helping people recover from injuries. The practical approach, with plenty of opportunities for hands-on experience through placements and extra courses, was exactly what I needed to build confidence in my skills.
“The course gave me the balance I was looking for—between theoretical learning and real-world application—and it helped me prepare for a career in sports therapy and physiotherapy. The flexibility to work outside of lecture hours and gain extra experience made it a great fit for me, and I’m confident it was the right step in my career.
“Now that I’ve completed my course, I feel a strong sense of accomplishment and pride in how far I’ve come. The journey has been challenging at times, but every step, from the coursework to the practical placements, has contributed to my growth as a sports therapist.
“I’m proud of the hands-on experience I gained, especially exceeding the required placement hours. I’m also proud of the fact that I left my business course at a large university to pursue a career in physiotherapy and now I’m back there working for them as a sports therapist.
“Looking back, I feel much more confident in my ability to assess and treat injuries, and I’m excited to continue building on what I’ve learned as I move forward in my career.
Career Growth and Future Goals
Megan’s career has taken off since completing her studies. She is now working as a sports therapist for Shamrock Rovers FC Women’s First Team and Maynooth University, where she helps athletes perform at their best.
In addition to that, she’s still training clients and working as a strength and conditioning coach with teams. Her expertise in recovery services has also opened doors to incredible opportunities, such as traveling to work at the Dubai Rugby 7s and The British Open in St. Andrews.
“My career has definitely progressed since completing my studies. Initially, I was focused on building my experience through placements and courses, and now I’m working in roles that align with my long-term career goals.
“After completing my sports therapy qualification, I’m now working as a sports therapist with Shamrock Rovers FC Women’s First Team and for Maynooth University, which have been great opportunities.
“I’m also still training clients and working as a strength and conditioning coach with teams. I’ve expanded my skillset in recovery services with C11 Recovery, which has given me incredible opportunities, including traveling to work at the Dubai Rugby 7s and The British Open in St. Andrews.
“I’m confident that my career will continue to progress as I gain more experience. There’s also a constant demand to work with local teams and cover matches, which is brilliant. I’m excited to see where this all takes me!
A Bright Future Ahead
“My qualification from Portobello Institute helped me get into the physiotherapy master’s programme, which I absolutely love. I’m really positive that I made the right choice in pursuing this career path. The practical experience I gained in sports therapy has been invaluable and has definitely paved the way for me to progress into physiotherapy. I’m excited about the future and the opportunities this qualification has opened up for me,” she said.
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