Behind the Scenes

Behind the Scenes: Building Health Beyond Water

For as long as I can remember, water has been my second home. At just four years old, I was lining up on the pool deck at the Jamaican National Championships in 1974, ready to dive into the 4x50m freestyle relay. Since then, the pool has been a constant thread in my life — a place of triumphs, setbacks, resilience, and transformation.

But what happens behind the scenes of an athlete’s life — away from the starting blocks and medals — is often where the true story unfolds. My journey has been about more than chasing times; it has been about building health, strength, and longevity, both in and out of the water.

The Meaning Behind Health Beyond Water

The name Health Beyond Water reflects two key truths I’ve learned as both athlete and therapist:

• Hydration is everything. Rehydrating the body is essential for recovery, repair, and peak performance. It’s not just about drinking after a swim or training session; it’s about giving your body what it needs to restore itself and prepare for the next challenge.

• Support goes further than the pool. Although my own background is steeped in swimming, the principles of recovery, rehabilitation, and performance apply to every sport — and to everyday life. Whether you’re running, cycling, lifting weights, or simply trying to move better and feel stronger, the foundations of good health go well beyond the water.

That’s why I chose the name — it’s both a reminder of the physical importance of hydration and a symbol of the wider support I provide through sports massage, training, and recovery guidance for athletes of all kinds.

The Foundation: Learning Through Sport and Education

For 25 years, I taught Business Studies, shaping young minds with discipline, strategy, and resilience — qualities that are equally vital in sport. Education has always been about more than the classroom; it’s about preparing people for challenges, helping them adapt, and finding their drive.

At the same time, my sporting life as a competitive swimmer gave me another kind of education. I learned how the body responds to pressure, adapts to training, and recovers from setbacks. And with every personal injury, I found myself increasingly fascinated by physiotherapy, rehabilitation, and the art of recovery.

A New Chapter: Sports Massage and Rehabilitation

That fascination grew into a calling. I pursued an iTEC Sports Massage qualification, giving me not only the technical expertise but also the ability to connect with people at the heart of their recovery journey. Sports massage is not just about easing tight muscles; it’s about helping the body restore balance, prevent injury, and unlock potential.

The hands-on work I do today bridges decades of personal experience, professional training, and empathy for anyone navigating the highs and lows of their physical performance — whether they are elite athletes, weekend warriors, or people simply seeking a healthier lifestyle.

The Athlete’s Perspective

I know first-hand what it takes to keep pushing. Competing at the 2025 World Masters Championships in Singapore, I not only broke a British Record but also proudly came home with two bronze medals. Achievements like these are never just about the performance on the day; they’re the culmination of years of small, often unseen choices — rest, recovery, smart training, rehydration, and looking after the body when it falters.

Behind those medals are countless hours of rehabilitation from injuries, the lessons learned from every setback, and the knowledge that true health extends far beyond the water.

Building Health Beyond Water

For me, health is not just about performance. It’s about:

• Resilience: adapting when injuries or challenges arise.

• Recovery: giving the body the time and tools it needs to come back stronger.

• Longevity: making choices that sustain health and activity well into the future.

• Balance: knowing when to push and when to pause.

• Rehydration: replenishing the body so muscles, joints, and energy systems perform at their best.

This is what Health Beyond Water represents. It’s more than a name — it’s a philosophy. It’s about recognising that peak performance and everyday wellbeing come from the moments we don’t always see: smart training, structured recovery, and giving the body what it truly needs.

My Mission

After decades of swimming at the highest level, teaching, recovering from my own injuries, and qualifying as a sports massage therapist, I’ve learned that health is not built in a single session or a single race. It’s built day by day, with the right support and the right strategies.

Through sports massage, rehabilitation, and personalised advice, my goal is to help every individual — whether an athlete, a gym-goer, or someone simply wanting to move more freely — to build their own version of health beyond water.

Because medals fade, times are forgotten, but the way we care for our bodies determines how far we can go — in sport, and in life.