Originally from Shanghai, Sylvia Sun had been studying at The University of Sydney, Australia prior to joining UP three years ago. She had only just returned to Shanghai after her time in Australia and was looking for internship opportunities.

“I had just returned from Australia for summer vacation [in 2022] and was eager to gain experience in the rehabilitation industry of China to better understand the field. That’s when I stumbled upon UP’s posting. The company’s mission and goals immediately resonated with me – they perfectly aligned with my career aspirations of making movement and exercise an integral part of everyone’s daily life.”

She received the internship and after finishing the experience working ‘alongside amazing mentors at the clinic’ returned to Australia to finish her Master’s degree. There was no doubt in her mind after her initial experience that she wanted to return, and the rest as they say, is history. Read on to learn more about Sylvia, her passions and how movement isn’t just medicine – it’s more than that.

I’ve been a sporty kid since childhood—back in elementary school, I could outrun every boy in my grade. This natural athleticism (or maybe stubborn competitiveness?) shaped my active lifestyle and made choosing an exercise related degree an obvious decision. 

But it wasn’t until my university clinical placement that my passion found its purpose. Watching how movement could restore not just physical function but hope and dignity, I realized: we as health professionals don’t just prescribe exercises—we empower people to reclaim their lives. That revelation transformed my relationship with sports from personal enjoyment to professional mission.

I am an active volunteer of my university’s alumni community. I dedicate much of my personal time to fostering connections among fellow alumni and organizing events to support our community. One of our iconic events includes organizing an industry-focused “coffee chat”, including one focused on healthcare, where I had the opportunity to educate attendees about maintaining an active lifestyle and explained the critical connection between injury prevention and rehabilitation.

Beyond my standard musculoskeletal skills in post-operative rehabilitation, sports injuries, and chronic pain management, my undergraduate training has given me specialized competence in geriatric care. I’m particularly experienced in working with older adults managing chronic conditions—from diabetes and hypertension to osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and Parkinson’s disease. This background allows me to address not just movement disorders, but the complex interplay between aging, multiple co-morbidities, and functional independence. 

As a physical therapist, I believe true recovery goes beyond treating symptoms—it’s about empowering people to reclaim movement with confidence. Movement isn’t just medicine; it’s a lifelong tool for resilience, and I’m passionate about making this complete approach accessible to everyone.