As a GP, Dr Nicole Hinds sees up to 30 patients a day, often with only ten minutes to address their concerns. The pressure is immense. Many patients expect a prescription as the quickest solution, but Dr Nicole reminded me during our conversation on The Visionary With Hala Ali that healthcare is about much more than medication.
From Sporty Childhood to Medical Career
Nicole grew up in a sporty family and always had a passion for movement. Initially, she thought she wanted to become an orthopaedic surgeon, but quickly realised surgery wasn’t for her. Instead, she found her way into general practice and gradually discovered the exciting and growing field of sports and exercise medicine, which officially became an NHS specialty in 2006.
This path allowed her to combine her two passions: medicine and sport.
What Does “Exercise as Medicine” Mean?
Dr Nicole broke down sports and exercise medicine into three main strands:
- Musculoskeletal medicine – treating common injuries such as back pain, sprains, and tendon problems.
- Team care and elite sport – working directly with athletes, including her role as Team Doctor for the National Cheerleading Team.
- Exercise medicine for everyone – using physical activity to prevent and treat chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and strokes.
It’s this third strand that holds the most potential for everyday people and for the NHS.
Exercise vs Metabolic Syndrome
One of the conditions Nicole highlighted was metabolic syndrome, a cluster of risk factors including obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes. Left unchecked, it dramatically increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
The good news? Regular physical activity directly reduces these risks. Exercise lowers blood pressure, improves cholesterol levels, supports weight management, and reduces the chance of developing type 2 diabetes.
And here’s the surprising part, even if you’re overweight, being active still lowers your risk of these serious conditions. Movement itself is a protective factor.
Beyond Fitness – A Tool for Long-Term Health
When we think of exercise, many of us focus on looking fit or toned. But Nicole encouraged us to reframe this mindset. Exercise is not punishment or vanity, it’s a powerful health tool. It’s about improving quality of life, reducing disease risk, and helping us stay independent and active for longer.
As she put it, “exercise is medicine.”
Small Steps Matter
The beauty of exercise as medicine is that it’s accessible. You don’t need to run marathons or join an elite sports team. Even small, consistent steps, like walking more, stretching daily, or taking the stairs, can transform your health over time.
Nicole’s journey shows us that healthcare isn’t just about what happens in the GP’s office. It’s about how we choose to move through our daily lives.
Want to hear more from Dr Nicole Hinds? Listen to the full conversation now on The Visionary With Hala Ali Podcast.
– Written by host Hala Ali
The Visionary with Hala Ali Podcast 