The Health Leader Podcast

From Workshop to Clinic: Practical Strategies to Implement What You Learn On the Health Leader Podcast, hosts Elicia, James, and Christine reflect after the Massage & Myotherapy Conference and discuss how to turn workshop learning into real clinical results. Christine shares her high-volume training experience (about 33 workshops in three years plus advanced TMJ study in the UK) and her implementa...

Ep 140: The Hidden Impact of Scars: Why Pain Keeps Coming Back What if the reason your client's pain keeps returning has nothing to do with the area you're treating? In this episode, Elicia and Christine unpack one of the most overlooked pieces of chronic pain and recovery: scars. Not just the visible scar… But the adhesions, compensation patterns, breathing changes, nervous system responses and f...

What happens when your client's pain goes beyond the physical? In this episode, we sit down with Matt Runnalls, a mental health advocate whose story is as powerful as it is important for every massage therapist to hear. This conversation goes beyond techniques and into what's really happening beneath the surface. The nervous system. The patterns. The "knots" in someone's timeline that continue to...

What do you do when a client freezes, over-explains, rushes the intake… or tells you way more than you expected? In this episode, Christine Knox interviews Pam Fitch, on the foundations of trauma-informed massage: legitimate consent, deep listening, boundaries without shutdown, and building trust that keeps clients coming back. Pam is a dedicated massage therapist with over 40 years in practice, a...

Join me on  The Health Leader Podcast as I speak with Sarah Nehme, global head of programming at BFT, about her incredible journey in elite sports, athlete rehabilitation, and running multiple gyms while leading global training programs. Sarah shares her strategies for mastering time management, balancing work and life, building strong networks with other practitioners, and staying disciplined whi...

What if the most overlooked system in the body is the key to reducing inflammation, improving energy, supporting immunity and changing women's health outcomes forever? In this powerful and honest conversation, we're joined by Chelsea Jean, sports therapist, naturopath, educator and the woman famous for saying "I rub boobs" (and meaning it in the most professional way possible). Chelsea shares how...

🎙️ 2025 Wrap Up – The Health Leader Co What a year. In this special wrap-up episode, Elicia, Christine, and James reflect on an extraordinary 2025. From global conferences and industry-leading training to podcast highlights, unexpected opportunities, and a LOT of Zoom hours, this episode is a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to lead, grow, and evolve in the health and bodywork indust...

In this inspiring interview, James sits down with Brad Hiskins - one of Australia's most respected names in the massage industry and co-founder of MWax, for an in-depth look at what it really takes to achieve long-term success as a therapist and business owner. Drawing on over 35 years of experience, Brad unpacks his five core rules for building a sustainable massage career. Hear rom how Brad buil...

In this episode, we chat with Ibrahim Samaan, founder and CEO of Purifas - an Australian-owned medical hygiene manufacturer on a mission to raise the bar for cleanliness, efficiency, and client comfort in therapy spaces. Ibrahim shares how his journey from physiotherapist to innovator led to developing sustainable, time-saving products used in clinics across the world. We explore how Purifas reduc...

In this episode, we sit down with Bruce Stark, a former U.S. policy maker who made the bold leap from criminal justice research to full-time bodywork practitioner and trainer. Bruce shares how a personal experience with Ortho-Bionomy changed his life, how he became an "accidental therapist," and why after 30+ years - he's still deeply in love with this gentle, transformative modality. We talk abou...

In this episode, Alicia chats with Ann Davey, CEO of Massage & Myotherapy Australia, live from the 20th National Conference in Perth. They unpack the highlights of this sold-out event - from standout presenters like Emma Holly, Robert Libbey, and Marty Fry, to big conversations around AI, business compliance, and building lasting community connections. Ann shares what goes into planning an event o...

Discover how transforming your physical space can transform your mindset in this episode of the Health Leader Podcast. James sits down with decluttering coach Lauren Winzar, who shares her unique approach to decluttering - not just as a way to tidy up, but as a powerful tool for self-awareness, emotional wellbeing, and even business success. Lauren explains how the patterns we use to manage our ph...

This week, Elicia sits down with Scott Dartnell - Massage Therapy Hall of Fame inductee, clinic pioneer, and co-creator of the World Massage Conference - for an energising conversation about shaping the massage industry over 33 years. Scott shares his journey from founding Canada's first accredited private multidisciplinary clinic to launching major international conferences and building Massage T...

Jarrod Fritz's journey into the world of sports massage and bodywork is anything but ordinary. In this episode, Jarrod shares how a series of "happy accidents" led him from considering a career in medicine to becoming a sought-after sports therapist, educator, strongman competitor, and professional wrestling referee. With over two decades of experience, he's worked with elite athletes at the Olymp...

In this energetic episode of the Health Leader Podcast , Christine Knox chats with the incredible Robin Devine – an internationally trained lymphatic therapist, passionate educator, and the mastermind behind LymphyCon , a superhero-themed conference for all things lymph! Robin shares: Why she calls herself a "lymphomaniac" 😄 How LymphyCon started in her hometown of Calgary and grew into a global...

In this episode, we chat with Norelle Pratt, founder of HR for Health Leaders, about how to grow your allied health team with confidence. Norelle shares her experience from both running a clinic and working in HR for over 15 years. We talk about the real differences between hiring employees, using contractors, or renting out rooms - and what the law actually says about each option. Norelle explain...

In this episode, James, Elicia, and Christine dive into the fascinating and often challenging world of ethics in massage therapy, exploring the grey areas that professionals encounter in their daily practice. From navigating difficult client conversations to setting clear professional boundaries and safeguarding confidentiality, they share real-life stories and scenarios that are equal parts insig...

In this episode, we delve into the critical world of cybersecurity for small businesses with Kimberly from Cyber Wardens. Kimberly shares valuable insights on the common cyber threats that small businesses face, such as business email compromise, fake invoices, and online banking fraud. She emphasises how these threats can have devastating effects, including financial loss and reputation damage. K...

Join Elicia, James, and Christine as they explore the world of pricing for bodywork practitioners. Discover common mistakes therapists make when setting their rates and learn how to confidently charge what you're worth. From understanding inflation to pricing strategies that reflect your expertise, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you elevate your business and attract clients w...

Helen Dobra, a passionate Bowen therapist and visionary leader, shares her incredible journey from treating back pain to producing an award-winning documentary on Bowen therapy. In this episode, Helen discusses the transformative power of Bowen therapy, her mission to expand its reach globally, and the upcoming Bowen Global Summit 2025. Learn how Helen is revolutionising natural healing through ed...

Discover Mina Garas' incredible journey from humble beginnings as a door-to-door massage therapist to running a thriving clinic serving elite athletes. Learn how Mina scaled his business, overcame challenges, and built a dream team while staying true to his passion. Gain valuable insights on networking, continuous learning, and creating a values-driven practice that stands out in the competitive h...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Jo-anne Yeoman-Hare, a trailblazer in massage therapy and recipient of the prestigious lifetime member award. Joanne shares her remarkable journey as a woman who carved out a successful career in massage therapy during the late 70s and early 80s, a time when it wasn't common for women to have careers, especially in this field. Listen as Jo-anne recounts t...

Dive into the world of specialised pregnancy massage with Catherine McInerney, founder and director of Pregnancy Massage Australia. With over 25 years of experience, Catherine shares her remarkable journey from Parisian beauty therapist to becoming a leading expert in perinatal care. In this enlightening episode, Catherine reveals how personal challenges, including a high-risk pregnancy and NICU e...

Kelly and Nicole, founders of Abundance Unlimited, own a thriving wellness business in Central Victoria. With over 40 years of combined experience in massage therapy and nursing, these innovative practitioners share their journey from running successful clinics to developing their own line of holistic products. Discover how Kelly and Nicole bridged the gap between healing and mindfulness, creating...

Dive into the inspiring journey of ClinicSense, from a simple email reminder system to a game-changing practice management solution for massage therapists and multidisciplinary clinics. In this episode, co-founder Daniel Ruscigno reveals the secrets behind their innovative features, including ultra-customisable treatment notes, automated marketing campaigns, and lightning-fast customer support. Le...