Robin Leaton
Director/Senior Physiotherapist, Leaton Performance and Rehabilitation Ltd
Master of Health Practice in Rehabilitation
Bachelor of Health Science (Physiotherapy)
He enjoys helping people return to their peak performance, says physiotherapy alumnus Robin Leaton who now leads specialist rehabilitation clinic Leaton Performance and Rehabilitation Ltd.
“Physiotherapy is all about problem-solving – you have to think critically to tackle the unique challenges people bring. I enjoy working with people from all walks of life, and if you have a genuine interest in people, you’ll find physiotherapy incredibly rewarding. The tools and skills we as physiotherapists offer can make a real difference in people’s lives.”
He is proud of what he has achieved in his career so far.
“Building a successful company brand, one known for genuinely helping people, is something I’m incredibly proud of. It’s been a rewarding accomplishment. Alongside this, I also worked toward my master’s degree while staying hands-on as a physiotherapy practitioner and keeping the company running strong.”
The right choice
With a background as a strength and conditioning coach, Robin says studying physiotherapy felt like the logical next step in his career.
“I chose to study physiotherapy to expand my skills and develop the tools to guide people from the early stages of injury right back to competing at their best. Physiotherapy has been a game-changer for me, opening doors and letting me work across the entire recovery spectrum. As a mature student juggling family life, a full-time job and study, I needed flexibility and support. AUT offered exactly that, with the resources and the learning environment to help me achieve my goal of earning a physiotherapy degree.”
He still has many fond memories of his time at AUT.
“The friendships I made along the way were one of the best parts of my journey. We studied together, celebrated together and blended our lives to the point where our families started spending time together. Through this circle of friendship, we all pushed each other to succeed and now, over a decade later, we’re still close and thriving in the profession.
“Another highlight for me were the small group tutoring sessions our lecturers provided. They were proactive and supportive, and those sessions made a big difference for all of us. While I was at AUT, I was also competing in multiple sports and balancing training with my studies, and I was proud to receive the award for the Sportsperson of the Year. Another highpoint was being chosen for a summer internship where I had the opportunity to assist a professor with research, which was hands-on experience that gave me valuable insights into the field.”
Advice for other students
Robin – who completed his Bachelor of Health Science (Physiotherapy) in 2014, followed by his Master of Health Practice in 2024 – has some great advice for other students.
“My advice to future students is to be a thinker – sometimes you need to think outside the box when working with people. Show genuine passion and sincerity, and treat every person as if they were a family member you care deeply about.”
Find the people who will help you grow, he adds.
“During your studies surround yourself with high-achieving students who will challenge you and push you to improve. Remember, this is a health profession; people are trusting you with their bodies, so take that responsibility seriously.”
