Whenever I look to start working with someone I want to know a bit about them as a person - do I align with them? What have they been through?  What are they about?  Are we a good fit?  I post (fairly) regularly on social media, but if you'd like to know more about what led me to the work I do now, here is a bit about me.

My journey into the world of health, fitness and bodywork started over two decades ago in my twenties, when I discovered aerobics and running. Having been shy as a child, uncomfortable in my skin and hating PE at school, I found a passion for running that motivated me to get outdoors, and eventually led me into a career in health, fitness & wellbeing.

In 2000 I entered the Health and Fitness Industry as a class instructor freelancing in clubs, then as a Personal Trainer and a Sports Massage Therapist.  

Already a qualified Pilates Instructor, in the early 2010s I retrained in the Contrology Pilates Method – a comprehensive Classical Pilates training with a Fascial twist. It was a revelation for my own body, and gave me an entirely new perspective on the beauty of this mind and movement practice.  Although people instinctively think of yoga, I experienced Pilates as a true moving meditation that asks for presence and awareness of all parts of the self.  My exploration of Fascia led to my training at the same time as a Structural Integrator, based on the Anatomy Trains work of Tom Myers, and the original work of Ida Rolf. 

For years I combined this blend of movement therapy and bodywork to assist all kinds of people overcome injury, change their posture and become more at ease in their bodies – both physically and mentally. 

It gave me a lot of joy  - but there was something missing.  

My search for the missing piece of the jigsaw had unconsciously begun with my own struggles.  For years I'd been a good distance runner and triathlete, training and racing hard, and getting great results. I'd qualified to run in the Women's Championship at London Marathon, and competed as an individual and for Great Britain at European & World Championship level.  I had a busy successful business working all the hours under the sun.  I was trying to have it and do it all - because that's what we're taught we should be doing isn't it!

But I reached a point where I just couldn’t sustain it all any longer.  I was also making repeated relationship choices that were not good for me.

By my late thirties the wheels were coming off.  I was ignoring all my body’s subtle messages and signals.  So they got louder.  I’d developed food intolerances.  I had weight issues, stress fractures, disordered eating and sleeping, and eventually complete exhaustion.  I was keeping myself incredibly busy (and numb), trying to be very successful at everything I did - in order to avoid actually dealing with the things I needed to face.   

The cycle of unhealthy relationships, perfectionism, a lack of boundaries and striving for the body ideals presented to young women who grew up in the 1990s were seriously harming my wellbeing.  Although I was desperately trying to keep everything going, on the inside my self worth and confidence were at rock bottom. Eventually my body gave me no choice and forced me to stop.  

At first I looked everywhere outside of myself for the answers – when actually what I needed to do was stop, and quieten the external noise.  To go within, listen to my intuition, trust myself and hear what my body was trying to tell me.  

That was the start of a journey for me that has opened many new doors.  I'm grateful for the wonderful people I've engaged with, and being able to exist in a place of balance that is (mostly!) far more calm.  And within that I discovered a way to work more consciously, to continue the sport I love in a way that serves me, (where I can still get results without breaking myself), and also have time for the other things that bring joy to my life.

It led me to explore my intuitive abilities and to realise that I wanted to fully help other people to change patterns and beliefs that are holding them back.  I still offer movement and bodywork, but I needed to encourage people coming to me to be open to looking a little deeper into the reasons they have physical symptoms.

In the Western world intuition often gets squashed over 'facts' and science.  So people feel awkward talking about intuition, energy or spirituality for fear of being judged or dismissed as a bit 'woo''!  However embracing my intuitive & energetic abilities has been key to moving forwards.   As we become aware of our flaws, with compassion, we can begin to integrate within ourselves and understand ourselves better.  Which allows us to see ourselves and our relationships with more honesty, to be more compassionate, and more discerning with the external information we are given.  

As an Archetypal Alchemy Practitioner I offer coaching that looks into our patterns, and where our behaviours and beliefs come from.  And how they can still be held our physical bodies, even when we think we've cognitively 'understood ' or 'dealt with' them.   And I am all about experiencing all of life from within our human bodies.  No transcending our feelings or reality here! 

As a partnership, I hold a safe space and guide you through exploring what your body is trying to tell you, or holding onto.  We work at your pace, we do not dig up past traumas, and you are always in control of being able to stop anything that does not feel right at anytime. We can identify behaviours and patterns that might be holding you back from achieving your goals, and may also be affecting your health.  

We will explore the reasons we can get 'stuck', and the protective Archetypal characters that are at play trying to keep us safe.  We look at where beliefs actually come from, if they are actually in alignment with who we are.  We then work using accessible tools to move towards patterns and Archetypes that will actually support us in achieving our goals and dreams, and our wellness.

2025 - New beginnings

This year brings big change.  Having left Greater London in search of a change of pace, I am in the process of starting up again in the South Oxfordshire countryside.  I have also just commenced my training to become an Integration Psychotherapist - I hope to add that to my practice and offerings in the future. 

You can always work with me online.  But in person, the garden studio will be home to my Pilates apparatus and treatment room.  I am really excited to now also have a space for group work.  My cabin by the woods will be home to group Pilates classes, to movement sessions and somatic work.  For group circles, sound and for breathwork practice.  For my coaching clients to work with me surrounded by nature and the changing seasons.  And for other practitioners to bring their offerings.