Hi there,
Wellcome to SLW Sports Massage :)
My name is Steph and I launched SLW Sports Massage in March 2019...which now seems a lifetime ago as I’m sat here, during the summer of 2020 (we all know what was happening at that time!).
I have been a keen sports enthusiast since I was really young, starting off with gymnastics followed by netball. From there I went on to compete at county level for athletics - 200m, long jump and high jump (despite my shortness) and absolutely loved it! To this day I still have my spikes from when I was a teenager and made it my mission to test them out again as part of my ‘30 things to do before i’m 30’ bucket list...they still fit me.
When I gave up the batten of athletics I concentrated on my netball, starting at a local level (Milton Keynes Indoor League), working my way up to regional, where I competed for 7 years...a good stint for a 5ft 2 player! WA, WD, C were my positions and every weekend was spent travelling the south region of the country trying to gain a win and ultimately win the league. I absolutely love netball, in fact any team sport, I’m a huge advocate of being part of a team and the benefits and learnings it can bring to an individual through life.
Why did I stop playing regional netball...
A few reasons, the commitment, my age, my fitness, my desire...all of which got tested when I suffered a pretty bad angle injury during the 2015 season; taking me out for almost 9 months, of which 3 months was spent on crutches. Despite my commitment to rehab and rounds and rounds of physio/sports massage I never truly got back into that player mindset. Once fit (not court fit) I tried to return but knew I was not the same player, my injury meant I was uneasy on my ankle and obviously my fitness was down. I got injured at the point where I was near my best...In theory I ‘peaked’ and so for me I wanted to leave on that high. It was definitely a physiological thing for me as well as a physical - its a huge battle and for many they can overcome it and go on to even bigger and better sporting achievements, I have huge respect and admiration for those that can.
So why am I telling this story...
During the rehab I received sports massage every 4 weeks and to this day I still see the same massage therapist regularly. Growing up as a sporty type I always got injuries, sprained ankles, bruised fingers, pulled muscles but nothing serious enough to stop me from doing what I loved. As well as my ankle, Emma, my sports massage therapist has helped me with a long list of niggles i’ve suffered with over the years. As a keen runner, taking part in at least 1 half marathon a year, I heavily rely on Emma to keep my muscles, ligament, tendons...everything in shape! Due to the current situation (Covid-19) I haven’t had a sports massage since March and i’m desperate! (fingers crossed just a few more weeks).
During my rehab I took an active interest in understanding how the treatment was helping and what else I could do to aid my recovery. At this point I had finished school and already completed a Sports Science National Diploma at Bletchley Collage. I knew from a fairly young age that I wanted to work within the sports industry and the diploma offered me a broad but detailed understanding of everything I needed to know to kick start my career.
Roll forward 11 years....
...having spent my time on a slightly different career path, in Marketing, I made the decision to go back to my roots...
...there I was back at Bletchley College completing a VTCT Level 3 Sports Massage qualification.
Having spent so much time myself receiving and understanding sports massage, teamed with my previous diploma and love for sport, I knew changing career path was the right thing for me and it was the right time. Turning 30 in 2018 was also the nudge I needed to jump into this new journey, with two feet, or I should say two hands! :)
My background has made me very passionate about helping people whether thats in a sporting environment or not. So many people suffer with pain, whether it’s from an injury, a muscular imbalance or simply the affects life now has on our bodies, so the more I can help the more drive I have in creating a successful sports massage business.
I’m early on in my journey and still have a lot of learning to do, but so far the people I have met & treated and the support I have received makes me very excited for whats to come for the next 11 years...maybe my 40th will give me an even bigger nudge!
If you managed to read this far then thank you, I think its the most I have ever typed about myself!
Hopefully see you in my clinic soon :)
Steph x
