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Happy New Year!

Yes, what better way to start your day while recovering from New Years Eve shenanigans than have me drop into your inbox.

New Year is often when we start afresh and set goals for ourselves – considering our physical and mental health is usual something that we reflect on at the start of the year and make plans for positive improvements.

I’ve had my own journey over the last few years – after a number of traumatic events in 2023 my focus in 2024 was on recovery and it was May 2024 that I finally started to experience a big improvement in my mental health which then enabled me to start focusing on my physical health.

Clarifying what I needed to do for my own well being and define some goals has really helped; I started to lose weight, got back to Olympic Weightlifting – something I really used to love, and did a 60KM walk for the domestic abuse charity Refuge. Next year I am planning on taking on some new challenges including hiking around the UK and pole dancing (yes, really – it keeps you amazingly fit!).

Goal setting is often a foundation of any personal trainer or therapists plan for clients and it can certainly help to map out what to aim for and how to assess progress, but sometimes we need to be a bit fluid and give ourselves some flexibility otherwise we can feel like we have failed if we don’t reach a particular milestone. So if you are making plans and setting some challenges for 2025 be mindful of how unpredictable life can be. Don’t beat yourself up guys if things don’t go quite to plan – you can always pay me to do that for you!

Looking forward I have some exciting new business ideas for 2025 so keep your eyes peeled for updates! I’m currently still available in both London (E16) and Hythe & Folkestone, Kent, for mobile rehabilitation and mobility exercise sessions and massages and have an offer for a free 15 minute face massage (not a facial) for anyone who books a massage until the end of January*.

Want to keep updated on my availability? Give me a follow on instagram

I look forward to seeing you all in 2025!

(Happy hangover)

*T&Cs apply.

Last few available slots for 2024!

Just over a week to go until the big day and I have just a few slots left this year! You’ve worked hard this year and deserve some *you* time, and what better way wind down, get ready for Christmas and see in the New Year than having a massage in the comfort of your own home!

Last available slots in Hythe and Folkestone:

Wednesday 18th PM

Saturday 21st PM

Sunday 22nd PM

Christmas Eve AM

Contact me via the usual channels!

December availability

I think it’s safe to mention the ‘C’ word now..

Christmas is only a month away and from now until the end of the year I have very limited availability left! If you’re one of my clients who book regular slots and you haven’t done so already I strongly advise booking now to secure your pre Christmas treatments and exercise sessions.

Last few dates available:

Friday 29th November AM/PM Kent.

Sunday 1st/ Monday 2nd December AM/PM Kent.

Monday 9th December AM/PM London.

Sunday 15th/ Monday 16th December AM/PM Kent.

Sunday 22nd AM/PM Kent.

Christmas Eve Tuesday 24th AM Kent.

Sunday 29th/ Monday 30th AM/PM London.

If you’d like to book please contact me direct as usual!

September availability

Hi Guys,

Just a heads up that September is becoming very booked up and I have limited availability left so advise booking in advance for any mobile massage or home based exercise sessions.

I have also taken on an additional role with PureGym in Folkestone as a personal trainer so if you prefer to train in a gym rather than home based I’m here for you!

To book either call me on 07932 652653 or email info@mobilewithmichelle.co.uk

See you soon!

New services on offer!

Hello everyone,

There will be a few changes to the services I offer over the next few months! As well as offering massage I am also starting to do more of my movement and mobility exercise sessions either 1-1 or via Zoom. I originally qualified as an aerobics instructor a million years ago and over the years have gained quite a few fitness qualifications – Exercise Referral, Personal Trainer, Gym Instructor, Older Adults, Chair Based Exercise Instructor as well as my Fitness and Health BSc degree.

Since qualifying as a Sports Massage Therapist seven years ago my focus has been on massage but recently I have taken on some clients for exercise and realise how much I miss it! I specialise in the over 50s and seniors, improving mobility, movement and strength and have had some great results!

I’m still offering massages, but if this is something that interests you please drop me a message and we can get a free consultation booked in. The website will be changing slightly so may look a bit rubbish while being updated!

Just a heads up on my availability for the rest of this week -I have some afternoon availability in Hythe on the 18th, 19th and 20th and some slots available at Gallions Reach on Sunday the 21st. If you would like to visit me at Gallions Reach please let me know by Friday evening at the latest.

Enjoy the hot weather!

Michelle

Father’s Day offer!

Father’s Day is just over a week away and I have a great offer for all those Dad’s out there! If you book a 90 minute massage between the 16th – 23rd of June you’ll only pay for 60 minutes, saving £30!* So why not treat Dad, or yourself to either a sports massage or relaxing top to toe massage. Quote ‘Father’s Day offer’ when booking.

*Available for mobile massages in Gallions Reach, London, E16 and Hythe and Folkestone, Kent. All massages must be booked and taken between the dates above. Full payment is required at the time of booking.

How often should I book a massage?

Wouldn’t it be great if we could book massages as often as we wanted! Unfortunately time and financial constraints can often determine how frequently we see our massage therapist. Although these reasons are perfectly valid, maybe before we decide not to schedule a booking we should also contemplate how often we prioritise our physical and mental health, and just how effective massages are on an irregular basis.

So you’ve just had your relaxing massage and left feeling less stressed and wonderfully light. Or you’ve injured yourself or have arthritis and opted for a sports massage and experienced a reduction in discomfort, pain and an improved mobility. That’s great, but realistically, unless you book in for regular sessions these benefits will quickly disappear.

Often after their first massage a client will experience the benefits I mentioned above. It’s amazing for me when this happens and also for the client. They think their money has been well spent and maybe they don’t really need to rebook, and I suddenly become godlike in my clients eyes, with my magic hands and wealth of knowledge But these improvements are unlikely to last long term. Why?

Well, sadly, as magnificent as I am, I’m not a miracle worker. Outside of my session you have all manner of things going on that impacts on you mentally or physically. You lead busy, stressful lives. You go hard at gym or participate in regular sports, or maybe you don’t exercise at all. You have emotional situations that you have to deal with daily that impacts on you physically and mentally. Maybe your diet isn’t great. You have a painful chronic health condition that affects your mobility. You’re not sleeping well due to pain or worry. All these things are realities of everyday life which have a huge impact on our overall health.

So because of all these other internal and external factors you should consider your massage an adjunctive alongside other therapies or activities to help, rather than an overall solution, and for your massages to be effective they need to be regular. One massage every six months will not get rid of years of built up stress, tension, or pain. If you hired a personal trainer would you expect to see an immediate improvement in your physique, muscle gains, weight loss etc after one session? Of course not. It’s the same for massages; it can often take time, dedication and sometimes a bit of detective work all rolled in to regular sessions before things may start to improve.

So what is considered regular? Between once or twice a month for maintenance massages depending on your lifestyle, but for those who have more acute issues like an injury or chronic conditions such as arteritis a weekly massage is optimal and will help to alleviate ongoing pain and discomfort.

Sounds like a lot? Well put in perspective how being in discomfort or feeling chronically stressed may impact on work or family life. Time off due to pain, being unable to get good quality sleep, tension headaches and poor mental health* can all have a huge impact on your quality of life, so it really is worth investing in your health in one way or another. A massage can not only help you physically, it gives you time out and *me* time. And we all need that.

So are you ready to start investing in your health on a regular basis? I offer a 20% reduction on a package of 8 weekly bookings** or 10% off a package of 4 fortnightly bookings**. If this is something that interests you, drop me a message.

One last thing if you’re still reading! I am back in London for a few days from the 1st -5th of June and have a few available slots left. Drop me a message if you’d like to book!

Michelle

*A future blog will cover how massage can improve mental well-being.

** T&Cs apply.

Bank Holiday availability

Yet another Bank Holiday is upon us, and it’s the perfect time to get yourself a massage booked in! I will be in Kent this BH and have a few slots available Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday:

Saturday: 12-4pm

Sunday: 11am-1pm

BH Monday: 12-4pm

Choose either a sports, relaxing or chair massage to help ease some of those niggles or soothe stress and tension.

Can’t fit me in over the weekend? I will be in Kent all next week, and back in London/Essex on Saturday 1st of June.

Hope to see you soon!

Michelle

Massage by Michelle