Beth McAndrews, PT, DPT
After completing the Personal Training Certificate through the Exercise and Sport Studies department at UCSB, I began my pursuit of a physical therapy degree with much more confidence in my understanding of health and wellness, injury prevention, and strength training principles. In the year after graduating from UCSB, I finished up my pre-requisite courses at SBCC, worked and volunteered at four different PT clinics, and applied to PT schools across the country. That year, I was lucky enough to be accepted to a dream school of mine, The University of Washington. In three very focused years of school and clinical rotations I was able to obtain my Doctor of Physical Therapy degree! In looking back, I will always be thankful for the foundation and support the ESS department provided for me while at UCSB. Go Gauchos!
Huber Garcia, Class of 2018
Huber Garcia, Class of 2018 Alumni. I currently work as a medical assistant
at a private Dermatology office on the central coast. My time in the ESS department was one of
the more profound academic experiences I had during my time at UC Santa Barbara. The ESS
department and its courses were pivotal in shaping my career aspirations and skillset which I
have taken into the workforce. Throughout my college career, I participated in the Health &
Wellness and Personal Training programs which helped hone my communication, critical
thinking, and team building skills. I am grateful for this department due to the lasting impact it
made on me by expanding my knowledge of health and wellness and pushing me out of my
comfort zone more than any other academic department I was involved in. The professors in
the ESS department consistently championed for my success and provided me with the tools to
continue on my journey in becoming a Physician Assistant. I know that the opportunities and
experiences that the ESS department gave me are ones which will continue to be my
foundation as I work towards becoming a medical provider
Sydney Bast
The ESS program ignited quite an interested in all things health and wellness for me. Being a volleyball player already I loved the weight room and how it could positively impact my performance, but had yet to explore the impact it could make on others amidst their own life experiences. Since graduating ESS I have been pursuing health and wellness on a multitude of levels. I became a Certified Functional Strength Coach and began training youth, high school, and collegiate athletes to elevate their performance. I also applied to graduate school for Occupational Therapy and am now a current Masters of Occupational Therapy student at the University of Southern California. Most recently, I created an online fitness subscription with the goal of encouraging healthy lifestyles for all. Combining my previous experience as an athlete and strength coach with my current experience as an OT student, I have found that incorporating physical activity into daily routines and providing modifications for attainability at every ability level is the key to sustainable health. We provide prerecorded workouts for all ability levels that can be done at home with minimal equipment and now have hundreds of subscribers! I love applying my education to every level of health and wellness to be able to create healthier lifestyles in all those around me. I’m grateful for the experience I had at UCSB and look forward to continuing on this wellness journey!
Erica Stenz, Group Fitness Certification