Recently, I had the opportunity to pause and reflect on my journey in sports therapy. It’s not something I do often as I’m usually too busy treating patients, mentoring therapists, or developing new approaches. But looking back at the past 25 years made me realise how far we’ve come.
When I founded London Sports Therapy in 1999, I never imagined what lay ahead. What began as a solo practice evolved into something meaningful. A thriving clinic, a mentorship programme changing careers, and a framework helping therapists treat runners with confidence.
Here’s that journey.
Building a Holistic Practice
From day one, I believed effective sports therapy looks at the whole person. Not just the injured part. After training in the Integrated Systems Model, Thoracic Ring Approach™, and ConnectTherapy™, I developed an approach that connects the dots. A compressed rib might drive foot pain. An old ankle injury could cause chronic backache.
This holistic methodology became our foundation. We built a reputation as the clinic people visit after trying everything else. Often, they’ve spent thousands on orthotics and treatments that missed the underlying problem. Our approach creates a space where patients feel heard, where we use positive language, and where we adapt to individual needs.
Ten years ago, I transitioned from ‘Josie Mitchell – injury clinic’ to London Sports Therapy Ltd. This made sure the clinic could thrive independently. It also allowed our clinic to expand – now we also bring our approach directly into an elite Olympic lifting environment at MEMS Weightlifting in Vauxhall.
The STRIDES Method
A turning point came from recognising a gap. Over 7.7 million people in the UK run regularly. Yet many therapists lack confidence to assess and treat runners effectively. Without a robust framework, they miss serving this massive population, and runners continue suffering as a result.
This led me to develop the STRIDES Method. It’s a clinical reasoning framework combining gait analysis with movement and postural assessments. Unlike isolated approaches, STRIDES uncovers the real driving causes and allows us to modify training so runners keep moving safely.
I created a 6-week small-group course for sports therapists and coaches where the goal isn’t just sharing knowledge – it’s building a community of running specialists who refer to each other. And it’s elevating standards across the profession.
If you’re a therapist wanting to become the go-to running specialist in your area, I’d love to hear from you.
Mentorship: Changing Careers
Perhaps my most meaningful work addresses a systemic problem: sports therapists often aren’t taken seriously. They can be relegated to massage roles and have limited opportunities for clinical practice or career progression.
Sadly, I’ve watched talented graduates become disillusioned and abandon sports therapy altogether because they can’t access hands-on experience or mentorship. And this is a loss for individuals, for our profession, and for patients.
I’ve informally mentored therapists for over 17 years. And in March 2025, I formalised the London Sports Therapy Mentorship Programme. It combines digital learning with hands-on clinical training. Using my holistic approach, mentees learn to determine what’s causing pain and devise effective rehabilitation programmes.
I’ve trained over eight therapists and rehabilitators. Two – Fin and Richard – work alongside me as confident clinicians. They’re now teaching and mentoring others. And it’s great to see my methods ripple outward through therapists transforming patients’ lives.
I’m passionate about this because many therapists won’t get opportunities simply because they’re not physiotherapists. I have a proven word-of-mouth reputation and a unique framework to build thriving practices – insurance panels aren’t everything.
Sports therapists can excel in their chosen profession without retraining. If you’re seeking mentorship, get in touch.
Sharing Knowledge, Raising Standards
Beyond mentorship, I consistently look for opportunities to share knowledge. In 2025, I volunteered at the British Transplant Games. I worked alongside sports therapists, physiotherapists, and psychologists. We served athletes who return every year to compete with their ‘transplant family’. And the experience definitely reminded me why I entered this profession.
For three years, London Sports Therapy also supported Children’s Society marathon runners. I’ve volunteered for Crisis at Christmas. I contribute regularly to ASICS. I’ve spoken at Athena on the thorax and pelvic floor. I serve on London Metropolitan University’s Industry Advisory Group.
As an SST alumna, I appeared on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour discussing women’s injuries, and I served on the SST Disciplinary Board for two sensitive cases. These opportunities let me contribute to our profession’s integrity and governance.
Most recently, Fin and I ran a workshop for personal trainers at the Hogarth Club. We highlighted common injuries in deadlifts and back squats. Our goal was preventing client injuries before they occur.
Walking the Talk
My commitment to sports therapy is deeply personal. I was a CrossFitter and runner for five years, but more recently I’ve transitioned to Olympic weightlifting and calisthenics. I was British Masters champion in 2024 and a silver medallist in 2025.
In 2021, I ran the Virtual London Marathon, and I can honestly say that the experience taught me about training management, injury prevention, and listening to your body. When I tore my calf mid-training, I made difficult decisions, such as scaling back weightlifting and introducing mobility exercises. I have to practise what I preach!
The training demands, the niggles, the mental challenges, and the crying in the bathtub after a 20-mile run are the very experiences that inform how I work with athletes. I understand pushing your body and managing injury while staying active but also balancing performance with longevity. It makes me a better, more empathetic therapist.
What’s Next
Reflecting on ten years ago versus now, I see the impact of sustained effort. I built a clinic where people feel heard, with opportunities for sidelined therapists, and a solid framework helping clinicians serve runners. I see mentees stepping into expertise and passing knowledge forward.
The most meaningful achievement isn’t two locations or the STRIDES Method – it’s knowing the clinic runs seamlessly when I travel or take time off for other commitments and responsibilities. The approaches I developed help therapists I’ll never meet treat patients I’ll never see.
So I’m excited about mentoring more therapists and expanding the running specialist community as well as continuing to advocate for sports therapists’ recognition. This profession gave me a remarkable 25-year journey. And I’m grateful of the lasting changes it continues to create.
Get in Touch
Whether you’re after holistic care or treatment for an injury, therapist mentorship, or runner treatment, get in touch.
