Muscle Mechanic Sports Massage

24/02/2026

17/02/2026

FEATURED | To celebrate his upcoming 40th birthday, Hereford's Sam Cochrane will take on the Legendary Marathon des Sables - a 250km, self-sufficient ultra-marathon across the Sahara Desert to raise funds for a 13 year old boy, who is suffering with a rare and progressive neurological condition.

Sam told us "I’m doing it for a 13-year-old boy I call "Little Sam", and to raise awareness and funds for Alex TLC - a charity that supports children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, and their families, across the UK.

Little Sam is living with adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), a rare and progressive neurological condition. Despite the challenges he faces daily, he shows humour, courage, and resilience far beyond his years. Watching that strength up close has been deeply humbling. When training becomes uncomfortable or overwhelming, I remind myself that I get to choose this hardship - he doesn’t.

Alex TLC (the UK’s only Leukodystrophy charity) works quietly in the background, providing practical, emotional, and financial support to families navigating devastating diagnoses. Their work often goes unseen, but the difference they make is enormous. My aim is to shine a light on their work, tell Little Sam’s story with dignity, and raise funds that directly support other families facing similar battles.

The Marathon des Sables is widely regarded as one of the toughest endurance events on earth: six days, extreme heat, heavy pack, and complete self-sufficiency. Preparation involves months of disciplined training, managing injuries, and balancing work, family life, and my military reserve commitments - all while keeping the real "why" front and centre"

You can donate below.
https://www.justgiving.com/page/forlittlesam

12/02/2026

50 days!

In just 50 days I’ll be standing on the start line of the Marathon des Sables.

250km
Self-sufficient
Across the Sahara

This training block hasn’t been perfect.
- An achilles injury set me back
- Two races pulled
- Ego parked!!

But the mission hasn’t changed…

I’m running for Little Sam.
I’m running for Alex TLC.

I get to choose this hardship.
He doesn’t get to choose his.

So the next 50 days aren’t about heroics.
They’re about discipline.
Rehab.
Consistency.
And earning the right to stand on that start line.

The desert is waiting…

11/11/2025

76km
Aldershot to Portsmouth
Finished - but emptied out
Photos arrived today - Remembrance Day

This one was for Combat Stress.
The next one - the Sahara - is for Little Sam.

The mission continues.

Link in Bio

27/10/2025

⚙️ CLIENT UPDATE - LIMITED PACKAGE OPTIONS

A few of you regulars have asked about ways to stay consistent with your recovery and your training through the autumn and winter, so I’ve opened a small number of multi-session packages this month.

These aren’t discounts (ok they are a bit), BUT they’re a way to lock in time, commitment, and progress before the winter season hits.

Available this week:
💥 3-Session Reset - £130 (normally £150)
💥 6-Session Recovery Block - £250 (normally £300)
💥 12-Session Performance Plan - £450 (normally £600)

All packages include a complimentary Normatec Recovery Session on your first visit.
Valid for 8 months.

Perfect:
- Building towards events or fitness goals
- Managing ongoing injuries
- Keeping movement, recovery, and performance consistent

Limited availability - once they’re gone, normal pricing returns.

DM to secure one - I’m keeping numbers low so I can still prioritise regular clients.

03/10/2025

6 months to go.

In half a year I’ll be standing on the start line of the Marathon des Sables - 250km, self-supported, across the Sahara Desert in 50°C heat.
A challenge I’ve been talking about for 20 years, and it’s fast becoming very real.

I’m not doing this for medals or bragging rights. I’m doing it and .

Sam is 13. He’s cheeky, brave, and stronger than I’ll ever be. He also lives with ALD - a brutal condition with no cure. For three years I’ve had the privilege of treating him, and he’s the reason I’ll keep moving when things get tough in the desert.

6 months out. The countdown’s on.
The mission continues.

https://www.justgiving.com/page/forlittlesam

21/09/2025

Another training run in the bag - 26.2 miles along the simply stunning (and surprisingly sunny, but also savage) Giant’s Causeway Coastline.

Not the fastest marathon, but in my defence… it’s not the flattest either!
And full disclosure: it was actually my first.

Every race like this is stepping stone (pun intended) towards the big one: the legendary Marathon des Sables next April - 250km across the Sahara desert.



As always, the miles are mine, but the cause is his. Running , raising awareness of ALD, and supporting Alex TLC.


https://www.justgiving.com/page/forlittlesam

19/09/2025

08/09/2025

Looking at the wrong camera - classic

I look determined though, and if you read on, you’ll know why.

One day on from the Great North Run.
Legs are tired, medal’s on the side, and I’ve had time to reflect.

The numbers don’t matter. Yesterday wasn’t about splits or times - it was about showing up, putting one foot in front of the other, and remembering why I signed up in the first place.

This race was a milestone, not the finish line. The real challenge is still ahead: 250km across the Sahara in the Marathon des Sables next April. Six days. Self-supported. 50°C heat.
A midlife crisis on paper… but in reality, it’s for something much bigger.

For three years I’ve had the privilege of working with Little Sam. He’s 13, cheeky, stronger than I’ll ever be - and he lives with Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), a cruel condition that attacks the brain and nervous system.

So when the runs get tough - whether it’s 21km in Newcastle or 250km in the desert - I remind myself why I’m doing this.
For awareness. For Alex TLC. For Little Sam.

The race is over. The mission isn’t. 🚀

https://www.justgiving.com/page/forlittlesam/

06/09/2025

Tomorrow is the Great North Run.
13.1 miles from Newcastle to South Shields.

For a lot of people it’s a bucket-list race. For me, it’s also a stepping stone - part of my build-up to the Marathon des Sables next April: 150 miles across the Sahara, self-supported, in 50°C heat.

I’m not doing it for times, medals, or bragging rights. I’m doing it .

Sam is 13. He’s cheeky, strong, and tougher than I’ll ever be. For three years I’ve had the privilege of treating Sam - and losing at thumb wars. He also lives with Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), a brutal condition that slowly attacks the brain and nervous system.
There’s no cure. It’s as cruel as it sounds.

So when I line up tomorrow, it’s not just about running a half marathon. It’s about raising awareness for ALD, supporting , and showing up for Little Sam - just like he shows up every single day.

Every mile matters. Tomorrow’s 13.1, and the Sahara’s 150, are all for him.

https://www.justgiving.com/page/forlittlesam

If you can spare a donation, a share, or even just a conversation - it all helps.

20/08/2025

Midweek Motivation

Midweek Motivation isn’t hard to find when I get to see this little lad.
Little Sam is cheeky, brave, and the best thumb-wars opponent I’ve ever had (he usually wins).

For three years now he’s been my favourite client, but he’s also the reason I’m training to run 250km across the Sahara next year.

Little Sam lives with Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) - a brutal condition that attacks the brain and nervous system.
There’s no cure. But there is support, and that’s what provides for families like Sam’s.

So when the training gets tough, I look at this face and remember why I’m doing it.
For more Sam smiles, more cheek, and more thumb-war battles I’m destined to lose.

If you can help me raise awareness and funds for ALD and Alex TLC, please consider donating or sharing. Every mile I run is .

➡️ https://www.justgiving.com/page/forlittlesam

Link in Bio

02/07/2025

I’ve just been reminded that one year ago today, I started Couch to 5K.
I was 12 weeks post-surgery after an MCL repair and meniscectomy.
More scars, slow, hobbled steps, and a knee I still don’t trust - but I started.

Fast forward to today: I’m training to run 250km across the Sahara Desert.
Not because I’m fast, or built for this, or trying to prove anything -
but because I’ve found the something (and someone) worth running for!

In April 2026, two years after that surgery, I’ll be taking on the Marathon des Sables -
six days, 250km, through the Sahara, fully self-supported, and in temperatures reaching 50°C.
To raise money and awareness for Alex TLC and for a truly special 13-year-old boy, Little Sam; who lives with a rare, brutal condition called ALD.

I’ve had five knee surgeries. Lets not count my other limbs.
Started over more times than I really care to count.
But now, I’ve got direction - and that makes all the difference!!

Running for something bigger than myself -

Please Like, Share, and Donate

https://www.justgiving.com/page/forlittlesam