Life Stories

In this episode of Andy Thomas Life Stories, Andy is joinedby Professor Lennard Funk, internationally recognised shoulder surgeon. Lenshares his remarkable journey from South Africa to the UK, his unconventionalpath into medicine, and the experiences that shaped his career in orthopaedicsand sports surgery.   Together they discuss the evolution of shoulder care, MDTworking, private vs NHS practice...

To pre-order Andy Thomas Book RealGrowth follow this link:  https://share.hsforms.com/12pR2Pbu-Q2SFlo2N80969g5bpdi 🎙 From Physio to Nike:The Journey of Dave Burliston   In this episode, Andy Thomas chats with Dave Burliston, aphysiotherapist who’s worked with global brands like Nike, Tiffany & Co.,and Barbour — and supported athletes from grassroots to elite level.   Dave shares his fascinatin...

From Student Struggles to Clinical Success | Alastair Oxberry on Building a Modern Podiatry Powerhouse🎧 “From Struggles to Success” – The Inspiring Story of Alastair OxberryAt 18, Alastair Oxberry didn’t even know what podiatry was. Today, he leads one of the UK’s most advanced foot and ankle clinics, combining MSK podiatry, ultrasound diagnostics, and clinical innovation under one roof. In this...

In this episode, Andy sits down with Paul Houghoughi, better known as The Climbing Physio — a former sponsored climber turned elite sports physiotherapist who’s worked with Olympic athletes, Team GB, and some of the world’s top climbers. From his humble beginnings in North Wales to the bright lights of the Olympic stage, Paul shares how curiosity, connection, and courage shaped his career. He open...

In this episode, Andy talks with Dave Baker, Owner andClinical Director at Complete Physio, about his remarkable journey from accountancy to physiotherapy and how that unique background helped build one of the UK’s leading private physio practices.   Dave shares how his passion for helping people, his love ofnumbers, and his drive for innovation led him to champion ultrasound technology and non-me...

Join us for an insightful conversation with Dr Eddie Craghill, a GP and sports doctor, as he shares his journey from the rugby pitches of the North West to working with elite athletes and Premier League officials. In this episode, Dr Craghill discusses his path into medicine, the challenges and rewards of general practice, and his transition into sports medicine. We explore the importance of cultu...

In this episode of Life Stories , Jeff Morton reflects on why the best learning often comes from questions, not answers. Jeff talks about how curiosity and critical thinking shape his approach as a clinician, and why he’s drawn to people who challenge him to think , rather than tell him what to do. 💬 “The people who inspire me most aren’t the ones with the answers, they’re the ones asking the rig...

Running a private clinic isn’t just about helping patients — it’s also about keeping the business alive. In this episode of Life Stories , Craig Lea talks candidly about the realities of clinic ownership, why so many people avoid talking about the numbers, and how educating staff on business basics can change everything. Craig shares a powerful exercise he ran with his team: breaking down every £1...

In this Life Stories episode, we sit down with Jeroen Peters to explore the realities of life inside football. Jeroen reflects on the unique culture of the training ground — the laughter, banter, and camaraderie that every player loves — and why it’s often the environment outside that bubble that makes the game challenging. 💬 “I’ve never met someone who said the training ground isn’t their enviro...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Dominic Moon, lead physiotherapist at Pure Physio Sports in the North. In this episode, Dom shares his journey from the NHS to private practice, the challenges and rewards of setting up his own clinic, and the rapid growth of Pure Physio. Discover how Dom’s background as a golfer influenced his career, the importance of professional development, and the u...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Marc Pugh, the former professional footballer affectionately known as the “foodie footballer.” In this episode, Marc shares his remarkable journey from grassroots football to the heights of the Premier League, offering a candid look at the challenges, setbacks, and triumphs that shaped his career. Discover how Marc’s unwavering mindset, dedication to self...

Join us for an insightful conversation with Sophie Birnie, a dedicated physiotherapist whose journey has taken her from the quiet streets of Southport to the fast-paced world of professional football. In this candid interview, Sophie shares her experiences growing up in Merseyside, her path through education, and the challenges she faced breaking into the world of physiotherapy—both in the NHS and...

Join us for an insightful conversation with Gregg Roberts, who shares his unique journey from senior physiotherapist to Finance and Operations Director at The White House Clinic. In this episode, we delve into the challenges and rewards of the private physiotherapy world. Gregg opens up about making the leap from the NHS, the surprising isolation that can come with private practice, and why creati...

Join us for a fascinating conversation with Chris Bartlett, a visionary in the world of physiotherapy and healthcare technology. In this insightful episode, Chris delves into the transformative power of AI and how it's reshaping healthcare delivery, from recording meetings to revolutionising patient care. He shares his experiences navigating the accelerated digital landscape post-COVID and dis...

In this episode, we're joined by Nathan Mill, the Head of Medical Services at St. Helens Rugby, for a deep dive into communication, leadership, and the journey of a top-tier physiotherapist. Nathan shares his unique insights on what it takes to succeed, both in elite sport and in life. From his "80% listening, 20% talking" communication philosophy to the mentors who have shaped his c...

Join us for an enlightening conversation with Ian Griffiths, a renowned sports podiatrist who takes us on a fascinating journey through his professional evolution. From humble beginnings as a pharmacy technician to working with elite athletes across football, golf, and the Olympic Games, Ian shares candid insights into his career path. Discover how a chance encounter in a night school chemistry cl...

Join us for a cracking chat with Mick Rathbone, former Everton physio and football legend, as he takes us behind the scenes of his incredible journey through football. From his nerve-wracking debut to working with superstars like Wayne Rooney and David Moyes, Mick shares hilarious stories and honest insights into how football has changed over the decades. We dive into: The wild world of sports med...

Join Andy as he sits down with Dr Warren Bradley, founder of Hytro, for an inspiring conversation about innovation, sports science, and entrepreneurship. From his early days as a sports scientist to launching a groundbreaking blood flow restriction technology used by top athletes and even NASA, Warren shares his remarkable journey. In this podcast, you'll discover: How a chance conversation le...

Join us for an incredible journey with Dr. Kush Joshi, a Sports and Exercise Medicine consultant who's redefined medical career paths! In this fascinating podcast, discover: His unique career path from London to the Caribbean Insights into Sports and Exercise Medicine Behind-the-scenes experiences at Wimbledon Working with world-class athletes Balancing professional ambitions and personal life...

Join us for an insightful conversation with Dr Simon Lack, a leading physiotherapist and Head of Research at Pure Sports Medicine. In this engaging podcast, Simon shares his remarkable journey from a passionate sports enthusiast to a renowned professional in physiotherapy and research. Discover: Simon's early career inspirations The fascinating world of sports medicine research Balancing clini...

Join us for an insightful chat with Dr Rebecca Robinson, a sport and exercise medicine consultant who shares her fascinating journey through healthcare. From working with Olympic boxers to exploring the nuances of exercise medicine, Rebecca offers a refreshing look at her career. In this episode, we dive into: Her path through sports medicine Challenges in modern healthcare Working with elite athl...

Join us for an inspiring chat with Hiba Ansari, a specialist physiotherapist who's carved out an incredible career in sports medicine. From her roots in Mumbai to working with top football clubs like Nottingham Forest and Tottenham, Hiba shares her journey of determination, adaptability, and passion. Discover how she navigated challenges as an international female physiotherapist, her transiti...

Join us for an inspiring chat with Matt Taylor, founder of Sano Physio, as he shares his journey from struggling to land a job as a young physiotherapist to building a thriving healthcare business. Matt opens up about his early days in Leeds, the challenges of starting a private practice, and how resilience and teamwork helped him grow Sano Physio with private equity backing. Highlights include: M...

Join us as Michael Schumacher, founder of HMDG, shares his incredible story of leaving the corporate world and building a thriving marketing agency for healthcare professionals. In this candid chat, we dive into: How a chance encounter led to launching a successful business The real challenges of entrepreneurship Why traditional marketing tactics are failing healthcare clinics Insights into buildi...

Join us for an insightful chat with Trevor Prior, a renowned consultant podiatric surgeon with decades of experience in sports medicine and biomechanics. Trevor shares his fascinating journey from accidentally becoming a podiatrist to working with elite sports teams and developing cutting-edge shoe technology. In this podcast, we dive into:Trevor's unexpected path into podiatryThe evolution of...