When I moved to Leeds 20 years ago I was covering someone’s maternity in the advertising department for ITV. I had an inkling that I wanted to do something more active. If people used to say how nice the weather was I used to think why did it matter as I was stuck inside! During that first year I undertook a college massage course on a Saturday afternoon. It was Swedish massage combined with the anatomy knowledge needed as this was fundamental to have as a basis. I was starting from scratch. We learnt a routine – a method with strict timing, we practiced it until we got it right. What we didn’t learn was when to stop if you found tightness or something that felt different. To me, I knew this was where the substance was. It’s the thing most people complain about beauty massages for.
Ironman Bolton with my brother-in-law = will always find a bench to massage on!
After qualifying in 2003 I was determined to find a Sports Massage course to gain a more in depth approach. I had sustained many injuries as a young swimmer and had had back issues ever since. The course I identified wasn’t starting until they had enough people, so I decided to do a Reflexology qualification to keep the learning momentum going. I would rush from my full time job in order to make the evening class every week. It wasn’t something I thought I was particularly interested in at the time, but it opened my eyes to a holistic world. The proof was in the pudding when practicing on the stomach referral point people’s stomaches would start to rumble! Then I got a call from the Sports Massage course – it would be starting on a weekend. That Christmas was particularly hectic finishing both courses, but within a year and a half I had become a Sports & Remedial Massage Therapist and a Reflexologist (as well as taking a permanent contract at ITV).
Active Associates
For the next few years I built up my experience. I was lucky enough to do some work with Castleford Tigers Rugby League team as my massage tutor Bruce Craven was their trainer. They weren’t used to working with women so I was told I would have to show them it hurt – by hitting a particular spot in the traps. A fair few legs flew off the table that day! If they won’t tell you, their bodies certainly will. The course I had done was affiliated to Active Foundation, run by a formidable woman Ann Baddeley. Ann could sell ice to eskimos and had major connections in the entertainment industry, having worked herself with the Gladiators back in the day. She taught us to work hard and get as much exposure as possible. For someone just starting out I had some amazing opportunities with bands and backstage at festivals. I was used to being round famous people at ITV and not batting an eyelid, but working on them was another world entirely. We did numerous sporting events which lead me to being confident enough to leave what had started out as a temp job after 6 years.
Liberty X at Party in the Park
The Zutons at O2 festival
Having been asked by my tutor to consider teaching with him on the Active courses, I was overwhelmed but felt it would be an utter privilege. Before we could get it together he very sadly died from skin cancer. So when The University of Leeds approached me to set something up there I honoured his legacy by teaching as he taught me. I loved teaching and ran courses for the next 10 years, but what I couldn’t stand was the incompetence. You only know what your standards really are when they are challenged.
I had always had Chiropractic treatments as my father learnt to be one, for a term. A lot of his friends growing up (including my godfather) were Danish Chiropractors he had met there and we were readily adjusted at the kitchen table trying to eat our breakfast. Looking back I did something really quite forthright. I decided I wanted to work in the Chiropractic clinic I was a client of so booked an appointment with the head honcho and asked if I could work there. After some hefty adjustments I had convinced him. Alongside that because of the people i’d worked with at Triathlon events I managed to rent a room at a physio that had a triathlon training service onsite. Almost a ready made market really.
Deep tissue workshops
Over the years both these businesses have come and gone but my clients have remained the same. Much like a good hairdresser they have followed me all over. I’ve favoured working from home to be able to control my own environment. For 3 years I was the Head Massage Therapist for Northern Ballet which was incredible. The industry is brutal and I was expected to do what my predecessor had – 14 half hours treatments with a half hour break. I was dead on my feet by the end of the day, especially if i’d had to drive to and from a Northern city venue. But I loved the people and felt truly appreciated there.
That was until I had an accident falling from my bike breaking 18 bones including my right hand and neck. I knew deep down I could never go back to the same level of intensity. There was no tolerance for a phased return at the ballet. I never questioned returning to doing bodywork, I just knew I would have to look after myself and favour quality over quantity.
Standing up and upside down
There have been times when i’ve juggled working from a yoga studio, an Osteopath (they also now own where the original Chiropractor I started at was), and from home. But I also enjoy the camaraderie of a team and have often gravitated to being part of a clinic or studio. These days I choose to work 4 days a week in blocks of 4 hours. I don’t treat more than four people in a row, but with breaks I will do up to six at an event. All my bookings are done online now which cuts down on the to’ing and fro’ing. It also alienates the unusual suspects that believe massage is for their own pleasure. I still do ad hoc work at yoga retreats and hen parties for people who understand the pressures of this type of work ie, give you a break then occasionally feed and water you. These environments give a sense of community so are lovely inclusive places to be.
New and existing customers can book an appointment HERE.
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