It began on a table and was grown in a lockdown

For around 13yrs as I write now, I’ve been working as a sports massage therapist, prior to that I was a personal trainer. Accountability has been a frequent topic for a large proportion of my life.

Before the personal training - I had been working in corporate jobs for 7 years and fortunate enough to have a couple of amazing friends who listened to me, wanting to make a career change that I thought impossible and something that only people with a lot of money to support them could do. I was guided and encouraged to make changes. I was kept accountable by those people and achieved qualifications & education which working and had made my initial career change. So to Clare and Brian, thank you always.

During these years working as a sports massage therapist, I have loved beyond words learning about & getting to know my clients, who they are, what lights them up and excites them, listening intently to their worries and concerns, talking about what they want, changes they want to make, and with some laughing until one of us has teared up (usually me) - all whilst doing my ‘physical’ job. Understanding over time, as experience in the job builds - that so much of what a lot of my clients are holding in their body is not just the physical stress from training, repetitive movement, or a physical job (and lack of recovery) but also overall lifestyle, sleep patterns, how they’re fueling themselves, their mental wellness and life situations. Every other part of us that isn’t just movement has a huge impact on the body.

A point I’d like to make here regarding the title ‘Sports Massage Therapist’ - it isn’t at all just for the athlete or sports person, repetitive movement, postures, musicians, factory workers, desk workers, drivers - anyone and everyone. I don’t want it to be thought that I only work with the athlete or sports person. If you have a body and move at all or not enough. I’m here for it.

So with clients the ability to build a rapport during a session there is opportunity to suggest beneficial changes, share knowledge and with those who hold regular appointments, there is opportunity to create some accountability whether verbalised or not. This is where thoughts of The Pillars Accountability Program were fostered and lockdown…or two allowed for it’s growth. Thus January 2022 I launched The Pillars Accountability Program.

One of the fundamental joys of working with clients on a regular and semi regular basis in both my sports massage business and through The Pillars is witnessing growth, progress and achievement. Observing positive changes in confidence, lifestyle and condition. Achievements in work, studies and sports. It is the biggest honor when a person chooses to invest their time and money on your guidance, skill & knowledge that will help them in any capacity (Pillars or Sports Massage) because that is their investment in themselves and it isn’t to be taken lightly.