Congratulations on your promotion! What does becoming a Clinical Therapist mean to you?

Becoming a Clinical Therapist feels like stepping confidently into the clinician I’ve been working towards becoming since a child – those who know, know those who don’t keep reading through the questions because It’s more than a title — it reflects growth in my clinical reasoning, decision-making, and leadership. Personally, it means trusting my judgment and owning the bigger picture in patient care. From a performance perspective, it’s exciting because I’m not just helping people recover — I’m helping them come back stronger, more resilient, and more confident than before which has always been a big goal of mine. It feels like real progress — and an even bigger opportunity to make an impact.

 

What first drew you to this career?

Ahha so this is where people that don’t know me yet will know me 😅. As a kid I’d come back from school do my homework and then play “teacher and pupils” with my toys. But then “moving between class the toys would fall down the stairs and hurt themselves to which they would need a bandage for their broken arm or leg or head. Essentially the first aid kit was never fully complete when there was an actual first aid in the house. My parents thought that would make me a dr but in year 9 I realised I hated chemistry which was a big life changing moment as my first anatomy book was age 6. So then as I spoke with my teacher she said why not combine both and become a physio. The rest is history… So now I’ve worked in sports team and clinics and don’t plan on stopping anytime soon when it comes to expanding the knowledge.

 

You’re also a competitive swimmer — how has sport shaped who you are, both personally and professionally?

That’s a really interesting question because yes, I swim competitively but swimming is actually what grounds me. It’s where I reset and build discipline, patience, and resilience. It’s about consistency and showing up, even on the hard days (5am swims on your day off from work sounds crazy but I love it)

Football, though, is my real pride and joy competitively. That’s where my edge comes out. It’s shaped my competitiveness, my love of teamwork, and my ability to perform under pressure while pushing standards for myself and those around me.

Professionally, both have had a huge impact. They’ve given me lived insight into training loads, setbacks, recovery, and the athlete mindset. I don’t just understand performance in theory I actually experience it. That perspective makes me more empathetic, more strategic, and more driven to get people back not just safely, but confidently and competitively ready.

 

What do you enjoy most about working with clients?

What I enjoy most is being part of someone’s progress especially the moment it clicks for them. I love building that trust and connection first. When a client feels heard and understood, everything changes. From there, it’s about guiding them, helping them understand their body, their injury, and what they’re capable of.

Seeing confidence return is probably the most rewarding part. Whether it’s an athlete getting back on the pitch or someone simply moving without fear again, that shift from uncertainty to belief is huge. I enjoy blending the science with that human side and using evidence-based rehab, but delivering it in a way that empowers people.

Ultimately, it’s being able to influence not just recovery, but resilience and long-term performance that I enjoy the most.

 

Is there a type of client or condition you particularly enjoy helping with?

I really enjoy working with the stubborn clients — the ones who start with “I can’t do it though.” There’s something so rewarding about helping them push past that mental barrier and proving to themselves they can and at the end of the day we have a laugh about how I was right and “who would have thought…” moments.

In terms of conditions, I love working on shoulders and hips. They’re often complex, multi-layered, and challenging — a bit like a seven-headed monster at first. But guiding someone through the process until it finally clicks, and they move freely again, is incredibly satisfying. It’s a mix of problem-solving, patience, and celebrating those breakthrough moments. Like I say all it needs is a bit of love 😁🫶🏼.

 

What’s one piece of advice you often find yourself giving people?

“Focus on what uou can control, and be consistent with it.”

Whether it’s rehab exercises, load management, or recovery habits, small consistent actions add up far more than trying to do everything at once or rushing progress. I find it helps people stay motivated, reduces frustration, and builds real, lasting improvement — physically and mentally.

 

What’s something people are usually surprised to learn about you?

People are usually surprised to learn that I’m actually qualified by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh to manage trauma cases — everything from tracheostomies and dislocations to traumatic haemothorax. Fran doesn’t let me operate, but that’s where my surgical knowledge comes from.

It also explains why I can read medical papers and fully understand what’s happening — which helps me translate complex surgical and medical information into the right exercises and rehab plans for my clients.

 

How do you personally switch off and recover after a busy week?

I switch off by leaning into the activities that reset both my body and mind. Swimming is my go-to for grounding — it’s steady, rhythmic, and gives me space to think or just zone out. Football is my release; competing and playing pushes me physically and mentally in a way that’s fun and energising.

Outside of sport, I make time for downtime with friends or just relaxing at home with music or lately binge watching series (any suggestions book yourself in with me and convince me to watch) It’s about balancing movement, focus, and rest so I can recharge fully and come back ready to give my best.

 

Early morning swim or slow Sunday morning — which do you prefer?

I actually swim on Sundays too 🫣, but I do love a good early morning workout — I’m definitely an early bird. Just no running or pool sprints, please 😭.

When I have a slow Sunday morning, it usually ends up with me annoying my partner 🤭😛 — setting off the smoke alarms or leaving my phone alarm on the other side of the room 😂🫶🏼. There’s something fun about those lazy mornings, even if they’re a bit chaotic!

 

Coffee order?

Ahh, coffee… no coffee for meee 🫣😌. I’m just a baby when it comes to caffeine! My partner tells me I need to tell Fran to buy OxyShred for the team but that will have us all bouncing around the building. You can achieve the same with me with a hot chocolate at Costa, or simply cold milk or cold water. A Caprisun also hits the spot — blackcurrant or tropical all the way 😅.

 

What motivates you on the days when training (or life!) feels tough?

Why I started and who I’m doing it for. Whether it’s training, rehab, or life in general, I focus on the small wins — showing up, pushing a little further, and making consistent progress.

I also draw motivation from seeing results in others: helping someone move better, recover faster, or regain confidence reminds me that the effort is always worth it. And sometimes, it’s just about keeping the mindset that “a hard day isn’t forever” — getting through it today makes tomorrow easier. And to the only Disney reference I know “just keep swimming” not sure of the context though 😅

 

Three words your friends would use to describe you?

Not sure about words but animals have been lion, baby polar bear and a penguin so I guess determined, competitive, and a little chaotic love bundle 😁😌🫶🏼🤭