Meet the Team
Joe Brocklehurst
Sports Therapist
Joe has been working in the sports therapy field since 2008, after graduating from the University of Birmingham with a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Therapy, primarily focusing his attention in the areas of soft tissue therapy, manipulations, acupuncture and taping techniques. Never one to rest on his laurels, Joe is constantly striving to improve his service through learning the latest research and incorporating this into his treatment plans. Taking a very individualised approach whilst utilising his knowledge on movement patterns of the human body, Joe will find the most effective way to treat the majority of musculoskeletal conditions.
Specialties
Sports Injuries, Sports Massage Therapy, Kinesiology Taping, Acupuncture, Spinal Manipulations, Endurance Coaching
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Sports Therapy — Birmingham University
- VTCT Level 3 Diploma Sports Massage Therapy — Warwick College
- Kinesiology Taping Techniques Diploma
- Hip & Groin Masterclass Diploma
- Spinal Manipulation Qualification
- Instrumental Soft Tissue Massage Qualification
- Neurokinetic Therapy Level 1
- Leadership in Running Fitness
Gemma Botley
Sports Therapist
Gemma graduated from Edge Hill University in 2013 with a BSc Hons in Sports Therapy. Here, she gained a lot of experience working in the university clinic, a dance clinic, with Liverpool and Sefton Harriers Athletics and with St Helens Rugby Club. Since graduating Gemma has focused her attention on private clinic work, injury assessments within schools and in semi professional football. She has a keen interest in biomechanics.
Gemma has had a huge interest in all sports for the majority of her life, but her time is now taken up mainly by mountain biking and running. Her vast knowledge of sport helps her when assessing injuries. She has a strong passion for helping people achieve their sporting goals through injury prevention and prehabilitation work.
Specialties
Sports injuries, Sports Massage, Kinesio Taping
Qualifications
- BSc Hons Sports Therapy- Edge Hill University
- Member of SST
- Level 4 Sports Massage
- First Aid at Work
Oli Blake
Therapist
Oli has been working within the sports industry since 2010, after graduating from Loughborough University with a First Class BSc in Sport and Exercise Science. During his time at Loughborough, Oli became a qualified Sports Massage Therapist and was soon the personal massage therapist to multiple international and Olympic athletes.
Whilst on an athletics scholarship at the University of Alabama, training alongside some of the best athletes in the world, Oli completed his Master’s degree and subsequently went on to complete qualifications in Personal Training and Exercise Referrals. Oli specialises in progressing clients beyond an injury setback and does this through utilising his knowledge of physiology, anatomy and biomechanics.
Specialties
Sports Science, Exercise Physiology, Sports Massage Therapy, Gym Instructing, Personal Training, Sports Nutrition, Sports Psychology
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Sports Science — Loughborough University
- Master of Science (MSc) in Sports Marketing — University of Alabama
- International Member – American Society of Exercise Physiology
- Associate Member – Clinical Exercise Physiology Association
- Myofascial Cupping Diploma
- Level 3 Sports Massage Therapy — Loughborough College
- Level 3 Personal Trainer
Lucy Bousfield
Physiotherapist
Lucy graduated from Coventry University in 2016 with a BSc (Hons) Degrees in Physiotherapy. After leaving University she has worked in the NHS, completing a wide range of rotations including elderly care, respiratory medicine, trauma and orthopedics and musculoskeletal (MSK) outpatients. This has given her a wide breadth and depth of experience including acute trauma care, pre and post operative rehabilitation, management of acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions.
Lucy continues to work part time within the NHS, specialising in MSK. This role includes working within a consultant-led Sports and exercise medicine service where she treats a wide variety of individuals from dancers to footballers to cyclists and triathletes.
She has a special interest in lower limb injuries, having involvement with writing protocols for ACL rehabilitation and running clinics for ankle and achilles tendon injuries. She has completed additional training in strength and conditioning and is moving forwards to commencing her MSc in Advanced MSK practice.
She is a keen runner, road cyclist and hiker and enjoys skiing in the winter. She has always aimed to instill a positive attitude towards rehabilitation and reconditioning, with the hope of reducing the risk of further injury.
Specialties
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy, Sporting and training injuries
Qualifications
- BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy – Coventry University
- Completion of Integrating strength and conditioning into injury rehabilitation course
- HCPC Registered
- Member of CSP
Steve Hadlum-Emburey
Osteopath
Steve qualified with a Masters degree in Osteopathy and a Diploma in Naturopathy from the British College of Osteopathic Medicine (2010) and is registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC).
Post graduate studies have led Steve into a very holistic and functional approach to injury and health. Steve recognises that there is a lot more to health than generally seen, his interests deepens to understand that functional neurology, environmental factors, circadian rhythm, the types of nutrition, the types of exercise, sleep and stress all play parts of the complex puzzle that is the human body.
Having learnt some specialised functional neurology that is PDTR, Steve offers an opportunity to deliver some of the latest and possibly most advanced compliments to treatment, allowing the clients to benefit and discover a new connection with their body, which helps them out of pain, feeling stronger and moving better.
Qualifications
- Masters in Osteopathy
- Diploma in Naturopathy
- Proprioceptive Deep Tendon Reflex, PDTR
- Neurokinetic Therapy, NKT
- Classical Osteopathy
- Dry Needling / Medical Acupuncture
- Sports Taping and Kinesiology Taping
Paola Russell
Physiotherapist
Paola completed her BSc Physiotherapy degree in Colombia. She began her post-graduate career in Bogota working in private hospitals rehabilitating patients with sports injuries, orthopaedic and musculoskeletal conditions.
Since arriving in the UK in 2006 Paola has significantly developed her career, gaining experience within both the NHS and private sector and has worked at some of the most prestigious hospitals in London. She is a keen proponent of exercise therapy, manual therapy techniques as well as rehabilitation through pilates based exercise, acupuncture and functional biomechanics.
She takes particular interest in treating patients with upper quadrant injuries including shoulder, neck, thoracic and lumbar spine conditions. She has expertise in treating headaches and dizziness caused by Musculoskeletal conditions. Paola also enjoys working with those requiring post operative rehabilitation and she has extensive experience within the field of neuro rehabilitation.
Paola is a keen runner and loves outdoors sports such as circuit training and cycling.
Specialties
Sports Injuries, Musculoskeletal Injuries, Upper Quadrant, Back , Shoulder & Neck Pain, Head and Neuro-Rehabilitation
Qualifications
- BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy – Manuela Beltran University (Bogota Colombia)
- Diploma: Interpretation and application of diagnostics test
- Certificate in Spinal Manual Therapy (CSMT)
- Foundation Acupuncture Course
Panorea Antonopoulos
Sports Therapist
Panorea first studied a level 5 coaching and exercise diploma together with personal training in 2007 and gained her experience training and coaching martial arts. From there, she went onto completing her studies in sports massage and sports therapy in 2010 in Cape Town South Africa where she worked in both clinical and sporting environments providing injury assessment, personalised rehabilitation, sports massage and exercise plans for a variety of musculoskeletal and sports injuries.
She has also gained experience working with the South African rugby and football team providing sports massage and taping.
Specialties
Sports injuries, Sports Massage, Kinesio Taping, Dry Cupping, Dry Needling
Qualifications
- Sports therapy-Cape Town College
- Level 5 sports massage
- Level 5 coaching and exercise
- Level 3 personal trainer
Samuel Hobson
Physiotherapist
Samuel graduated from Keele University with a BSc in Physiotherapy in 2015. Initially starting in the NHS, Samuel soon found his passion for Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy and has been working in this field for 3 years, in both the public and private sector. Having worked at a private Physiotherapy practice in Nottingham for the past 3 years, he is known for his strong communicative skills and rapport with his patients. During this time he developed particular skills with lower body injuries and spinal mobilisations.
Samuel has been a keen sportsman for much of his life and is experienced in treating clients with specific sporting injuiries. He has skied since the age of 3 and has mirrored this passion with spending two winters in the French Alps where he worked as an active Physiotherapist. He has also worked closely with rugby teams and is an avid rugby player.
Specialties
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy, Sports Massage, Chronic Pain Management, Sporting Injuries, Osteoarthritis Management, Lower Limb Biomechanics
Qualifications
- BSc Physiotherapy – Keele University
- Sports Massage Level 3
- Bobath – Concept of Movement Level 3
- HCPC Registered
- Member of CSP
Georgina Smallwood
Physiotherapist
Georgina graduated from Keele University in 2012 with a first class BSc (Hons) Degrees in Physiotherapy. After leaving University she has worked in the NHS, completing a wide range of rotations including elderly care, neurology, amputee’s, burns, paediatrics, respiratory medicine, trauma and orthopaedics and musculoskeletal (MSK) outpatients. This led to her specialising as a Senior in neurology, spinal injuries and acute stroke for over 7 years.
In 2021 Georgina moved to New Zealand where she specialised in elite sports MSK and vestibular rehabilitation this has led her to specialise in post concussion and vestibular injuries. Her role within elite sports led to working with red bull downhill mountain biking, PGA golf tours and the All Blacks rugby team.
Georgina’s most recent role in Australia continued her love for sports injuries, vestibular care and also a role in functional strength and clinical Pilates. She has a real interest in shoulder biomechanics and rehabilitation, alongside foot biomechanics and pelvic control.
She is a keen gym-goer competing within bodybuilding , mountain biker, surfer and hiker.
She loves an individualised and empowering approach to treatment working alongside you to achieve your goals.
Specialties
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy, Sporting and Training injuries, Neurology, Vestibular and Concussion
Qualifications
- BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy –Keele University
- Bobath trained
- HCPC Registered
- Member of CSP
- Vestibular and concussion management course
- Taping and soft tissue massage
- Clinical & reformer Pilates
Jenifer Delgado
Customer Care & Administrator
Jenifer is a bilingual post graduate with passion for business development and marketing. With an MBA from The University of Chester, a Masters degree in
Hospitality Management from Ostelea, Barcelona and a BA in Finance and International Relations from Universidad Externado de Colombia, Jenifer has worked in a variety of Project Management, General Management and Marketing roles throughout the world.
Her skills centre around financial analysis, marketing management, managing human capital and international business strategies.
Specialties
Customer Care, Marketing, Business Development
Qualifications
- MBA The University of Chester
- MSc Hospitality Management
- BA Finance and International Relations, University Externado de Colombia
Rachael Bateman
Sports Massage Therapist
Rachael has always loved working with people to support and encourage their growth and aspirations; after being an English teacher at secondary level for 23 years, she retrained for a second career in sports therapy due to wanting to combine her love of helping people with her love of sport.
Rachael began running 12 years ago in her thirties to combat stress, to get fit and to meet new people following a divorce. She quickly discovered fell running and is a member of local club, Mercia Fell runners. She can often be found running about on the Long Mynd but her heart lies in Eryri (Snowdonia) and Rachael has run many iconic races there including Snowdon International Race, Marathon Eryri and UTS (Ultra Trail Snowdonia). Rachael speaks Welsh as well as English after growing up in North Wales.
Specialties
Sports Massage
Qualifications
- Level 3 Sports Massage Therapy
- Level 5 Movement Therapy Diploma (in progress)
Sally Brocklehurst
Yoga Instructor
Sally is a qualified Yoga Alliance certified teacher and a Yoga Sports specialist. She has been teaching sport specific yoga to athletes of all levels, from former GB athletes to complete beginners for 4+ years.
Sally is passionate about helping athletes of all levels, to stay healthy, and moving well, so that they can continue to do the sport they love for years to come. A lifelong runner herself, she also has a passion for martial arts, earning herself a black belt in karate. Yoga has played a huge part in her life since her teens, and during training for her black belt/races she kept up a regular practice as a way of staying injury free.
Sally also has many years of experience teaching Postnatal Yoga, helping news mum to reconnect to their postnatal bodies, and Childrens Yoga and Development.
Specialties
Sports Yoga, Yoga For Athletes, Yoga For Runners, Postnatal Yoga, ROM and Stability Testing
Qualifications
- 200 hr Yoga Teacher Training Certificate
- Sports Yoga Specialist
- 40hr Yoga Sports Science
- 100 hr Hatha Yoga Studies Foundation Diploma
Rob Hall
Course Developer / Tutor / Assessor / IQA
Rob has been working in Sports Therapy/Rehab since 1989. As an Army Physical Training Instructor, he specialised in rehabilitation for soldiers that had either sustained an injury during operational tours or because of poor fitness levels.
He was very fortunate to compete and coach for both the Army Boxing and Triathlon Team, which provided a great opportunity for him to work with athletes at a high level.
After leaving the Army he found a new passion working within the Health & Fitness industry, motivating individuals in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. His main focus now is educating the importance of functional movement.
With over 20 years industry experience behind him, Rob’s career took a new direction when he started teaching both in Secondary and Further/Higher education. He now mainly tutors for various private training companies, teaching a wide range of Health, Fitness and Sports
Therapy qualifications across the UK.
He strongly believes that we should never stop striving to learn more, no matter how much we think we know!
Specialties
Course development, Tutor/Assessing, Internal Quality Assurance – Sports Injuries, Sports Massage Therapy, Fundamental Capacity Screening.
Qualifications
- Certificate in Education FE & HE
- Level 4 Award in The Internal Quality Assurance Process
- Level 3 Assessors Award
- Level 4 Personal Training
- Level 4 Sports Injuries Therapy
- Exercise Referral Diploma
- Level 3 Diploma in Health, Fitness & Sports Massage Therapy
- Functional Movement Screening (FMS)
Milly Garbett
Sports & Fitness Specialist
Milly started her sporting career at 20 years, inspired by watching friends and family compete. Surrounded by seasoned athletes, she learnt how to swim, bike, and run from scratch. Since her first triathlon, she has been hooked to endurance sports having completed several Ironman 70.3’s and a marathon.
She expanded her sporting career further by pursuing both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Sports Performance Science. This has given her the knowledge to help athletes reach personal success. During her studies, she focused her research on female athletes, deepening her understanding of the unique factors affecting the female body and its influence on performance.
Specialties
Strength training, Triathlon & Run Coaching, Fitness Testing
Qualifications
- MSc Sports Performance Science
- BSc Sports and Exercise Science
- Level 3 Personal Trainer
- Pre/Post Natal fitness specialist
- Level 2 Swim Teacher
Our Story
Between 2008 and 2010, Joe became Midland Champion over 800 metres in successive years and qualified for multiple International Qualifiers. Oli meanwhile ran 1min48s for 800 metres and finished 3rd in the National 800 metre final as an under 23, enabling him to compete in International races such as the Amsterdam Open and Danish Games.
Whilst Oli was at Loughborough (followed by Alabama) training among some of the fastest runners in the world, Joe gradually changed focus to concentrate on longer distance races. In 2012 he ran a 30min36s for 10k then followed this up with a 70min and 2nd place finish at the Shrewsbury Half Marathon in 2013. Oli went on to spend a period of years competing at a high level in Triathlons, in 2015 winning the Vitality World Triathlon in London among others.
Joe and Oli were regularly seeing each other for treatment and guidance on staying injury-free whilst improving their performances (two heads are better than one!) and it was from fairly early on when they both concluded that they would form a partnership to help assist the residents of Shrewsbury and the surrounding area in their sporting performances and everyday physical activities.
Therapy
It is far too easy to group people together (runners, cyclists, office workers etc.) and prematurely conclude that they all have similar issues and will all respond well to the same treatment. This is simply not the case. Optimal Movement take an individualised approach to every person, trying to uncover the reason for a particular muscular-skeletal problem and putting in the framework that will eliminate the problem and also prevent it from reappearing in the future. It is for this reason that Joe and Oli are constantly striving to enhance their knowledge and be able to provide a huge range of treatment techniques (soft tissue massage, acupuncture, strength and conditioning, nutritional advice etc.)
Coaching
Encountering different training philosophies and learning first-hand about the approaches of some of the world’s best athletes led to the conclusion that there was no single successful way to train for an endurance event. Joe and Oli both believe that individualisation is crucial when composing a training plan, and have followed this approach in recent years in regards to their own training. This is something that is clearly demonstrated in the Optimal Movement coaching service for Endurance sports. Although two runners, cyclists or swimmers may be at the same level of performance, they may not necessarily adapt to the same training methods in the same way.
The constant “noise” within the sporting and physical activity communities (magazines, blogs, health enthusiasts etc.) has resulted in a lot of mistakes being made by individuals believing that what works for one person will also work for them. It is Optimal Movement’s aim is to eliminate these mistakes and ensure the local community excel in their sports as well as enjoying them to their full potential.
Learn more about the services provided by our team.
What’s My Threshold?
This is a transcript to the "What's My Threshold?" audio article available to Optimal Movement Members. For more information on becoming a member please click here. You've probably ridden along in pack or ran within a group and heard someone say "I'm sticking below...
Flexibility for Injury Prevention and Performance 1
For many people stretching (flexibility training) is an important part of their pre and post exercise routine. However, in recent times the effectiveness of it has been questioned. When stretching, we need to consider when and how it should be performed in order to...
