Unnecessary medications, surgeries, injections for simple postural and biomechanical issues! Why not try MOVEMENT instead?

    As we get older, we tend to suffer more aches and pains and the conventional approach is to put all of this down to a ‘natural’ ageing process. Arthritic joints, knee pain, back pain, shoulder pain, neck pain, hip pain etc. We are told that it’s ‘wear and tear’ and to be expected… Continue reading Unnecessary medications, surgeries, injections for simple postural and biomechanical issues! Why not try MOVEMENT instead?

Running has little to do with strength. So why all this talk of needing ‘stronger’ core or glutes? 5 steps to fast and efficient running.

You work with many runners of all kinds (like myself) – you train them hard focusing on strong core, glutes, hip extension, interval training etc. Sometimes they get some short term benefits but are always getting injured so they go to the physio, GP etc. to ‘be fixed’. Many health and fitness professionals don’t get… Continue reading Running has little to do with strength. So why all this talk of needing ‘stronger’ core or glutes? 5 steps to fast and efficient running.

Kneed a different approach? Tim’s story.

          “It’s so irritating! I love running, but every time I try to run my dodgy knee starts to play up again. I guess I’ll just have to accept that I’ll never run pain free again.” Tim was at his wit’s end. His long suffering wife, Jane, was also in despair.… Continue reading Kneed a different approach? Tim’s story.

The New Breed of Runner and Why Traditional Running Coaching is NOT what they need.

At Roads to Freedom we know that for the vast majority of runners winning races and becoming more competitive is not the main goal. For many, running is about stress relief, getting away from all their worldly cares – busy schedules, family duties etc. They appreciate the sense of calm and relaxation they feel as… Continue reading The New Breed of Runner and Why Traditional Running Coaching is NOT what they need.

‘But I thought it must be harder than this!’ Julie’s road back to prime health and fitness.

     Julie was not a runner. Many of her friends had taken up jogging in recent years. Some had lost weight, others it seemed to make little difference. Quite a few had been injured. Others reported feeling better, having more energy, sleeping better, feeling less stress. Whatever, Julie was NOT a runner. She remembered… Continue reading ‘But I thought it must be harder than this!’ Julie’s road back to prime health and fitness.

From suicide watch to successful runner: Steve’s true story.

  Steve had what used to be called a ‘nervous breakdown’ in his early twenties. Twice he tried to end his life by taking overdoses of sleeping tablets and needed to have his stomach pumped out. Steve then was smoking 40 odd cigarettes per day, drinking round the clock and his idea of a square… Continue reading From suicide watch to successful runner: Steve’s true story.

How much do you really know about achieving optimal health and fitness?

    After years of working in the health and fitness industry it is very clear to me that people tend to have very pre-conceived ideas of what they need to do to get fitter, slimmer, faster, stronger or whatever their goal is.    Runners and triathletes always tell me they need a ‘stronger core’… Continue reading How much do you really know about achieving optimal health and fitness?

Why are we not asking why?

      In this world of information and misinformation we are overloaded with quick fix advice. Yet for all the myriad ‘solutions’ to health and fitness issues, hardly anybody seems to be asking the question WHY? 1. You’ve got high blood pressure. WHY? 2. I feel hungry all the time and can’t lose weight.… Continue reading Why are we not asking why?

Mobility is NOT static stretching! Why not try “Elastic Walking”?

   I frequently talk to runners and triathletes especially about the benefits of greater mobility. The response is usually “yes, I know I should do more stretching”. By this, I know they mean static stretching and this is probably what the majority of the population think is the way to become more mobile or ‘flexible’.… Continue reading Mobility is NOT static stretching! Why not try “Elastic Walking”?

How to prevent colds from striking to disrupt your training plans.

      All of my life I suffered from frequent colds, especially in Winter. Any sudden drop in temperature (like right now) or any stress would be immediately followed by a heavy cold that would often drag on for weeks, sometimes months. These can ruin your training progress and indeed make your life very… Continue reading How to prevent colds from striking to disrupt your training plans.