A passion to keep people moving drove Blake to study podiatry

Blake's journey to becoming a Podiatrist began with a fascination for human movement, sports injury prevention, and the impact of research on clinical outcomes. Driven by a passion to keep people moving, whether they are professional athletes or everyday individuals, Blake chose to study Podiatric Medicine at the University of Newcastle. He was drawn to the University's reputation for practical, evidence-based training and a strong academic foundation. "It was a decision that paid off—both in terms of the relationships I built and the skills I developed," Blake said. It’s meaningful to learn from educators who are not only practising clinically but also actively involved in research.

"I'm passionate about translating research into clinical practice and helping others do the same through education, podcasts, and community initiatives. The University supports that. One of the standout strengths of the program is that the clinical academics bring both real-world clinical experience and strong research backgrounds. This combination means they’re not only deeply knowledgeable, but they also know how to translate complex research into practical, actionable insights. Their ability to bridge the gap between theory and practice made learning incredibly relevant and engaging—it helped me understand not just the what, but the why and how behind what we do in clinical settings," Blake explained.

After graduating, Blake has built an impressive career in podiatry. He currently works as a Sports and Musculoskeletal Podiatrist at Achieve Podiatry in Newcastle, providing high-level care for runners, elite athletes, and individuals with musculoskeletal conditions. In addition to his clinical practice, Blake is a Lecturer in Biomechanics and Clinical Educator at the University of Newcastle, teaching subjects like advanced biomechanics, Musculoskeletal, sport injury prevention and orthotic therapy. He also runs an online education platform with over 50 members, focusing on translating research into clinical practice. In his spare time, Blake co-hosts The Sports Medicine Project podcast, which has over 100,000 downloads, interviewing experts on injury prevention, pain science, and performance.

One of Blake's highlights during his studies was completing his Honours year, where he published a paper in the Journal of Sports Sciences and gained hands-on research experience. "I developed critical thinking, research design, data collection, and analysis skills that now shape how I practice and teach. I also built long-term relationships with mentors and peers, some of whom I now work with at the university. The clinical placements, sports-specific casework, and research opportunities solidified my foundation as both a clinician and educator," Blake said.

Blake credits the University of Newcastle for laying the groundwork for his career. His studies provided confidence in evidence-based practice, connected him with mentors, and opened doors to teaching and research. "Since graduating, I’ve presented for Sports Medicine Australia, Sports & Exercise Podiatry Australia, and the Australian Podiatry Association, both nationally and internationally. I’ve also had the opportunity to lecture at my alma mater, help shape the next generation of podiatrists and build a growing platform for research education in healthcare," Blake said.

Blake’s advice to anyone thinking about studying a Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine at the University of Newcastle is to “get involved beyond the classroom, say yes to placements, research, mentorship, and professional development opportunities. The University of Newcastle is a place where you can grow in multiple directions - clinically, academically, and professionally—if you stay curious and engaged”.

Podiatric medicine is a uniquely positioned profession. It allows practitioners to become highly specialised in lower limb care while contributing meaningfully to the broader healthcare landscape, the profession of Podiatry is growing in scope and impact — offering clinicians the opportunity to be at the forefront of patient’s care.

Blake Withers

Blake Withers passion to keep people moving drove him to study Podiatry at the University of Newcastle and forge his career in the industry.

Get involved beyond the classroom, say yes to placements, research, mentorship, and professional development opportunities. The University of Newcastle is a place where you can grow in multiple directions - clinically, academically, and professionally—if you stay curious and engaged.