In this episode, we reflect on the ‘STA & Hands On Hub Conference’ that took place nearly two weeks ago on 20th & 21st September in Exmouth, in collaboration with the ST School. Host Matt Phillips is joined by Gary Benson, Founder of The Sports Therapy Association, Anna Maria Mazzieri, Director of The ST School, and Andy Hosgood, coach, mentor, and Unlocker of Human Potential.

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The tagline of the Sports Therapy Association Podcast, heard at the beginning of every episode, is "Putting The Evidence Back Into Soft Tissue Therapy". One way of becoming more evidence informed is to keep up with the latest research, but how easy is it to understand a research paper, to be able to judge its quality, reliability, and significance in what we practice in clinic?

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We reach the last episode before the ‘STA South West & Hands On Hub Conference’ taking place in Exmouth on September 20th and 21st, in collaboration with the ST School. Host Matt Phillips is joined by conference speaker James Earls, Writer, Lecturer & Bodyworker, and founder of Born to Move, who discusses the gains we could all make by re-addressing the way in which we traditionally view anatomy, as well as details of his presentation at the conference: "The Knee: Why Do We Have It All Back To Front?" 

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We continue our countdown to the STA South West Conference happening in Exmouth this September 20th and 21st, in collaboration with the ST School and Hands ON Hub. Host Matt Phillips is joined by Director of The ST School Anna Maria Mazzieri, who discusses what evidence-informed practice means in Massage Therapy.  

The episode explores topics including how trauma and chronic pain interact, the somatic effects of touch, and practical, evidence‑based approaches to working with scars. Anna Maria talk about the online CPD Webinar offered by The ST School: "Evidence Based Practice in Massage Therapy: What Social Media Doesn’t Tell You!" (see link in notes), including some of the surprises & benefits that attendees typically experience. Also discussed is the value of reflective CPD, and how therapists can better communicate, debate and apply research in clinic and online forums.

Anna Maria Mazzieri is giving the following presentations at the conference in September: 

Full details & conference tickets are available at https://thestschool.co.uk/hands-on-hub-sta-conference-2025/. STA members have a discount code which can be found in the latest STA Newsletter & Facebook Members page.

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In Ep.253, we continue our countdown to the STA South West Conference that is happening in Exmouth this September 20th and 21st, in collaboration with the ST School and Hands ON Hub. Host Matt Phillips is joined by conference speakers Dr Claire Minshull, Rehab & Conditioning Specialist & Founder of Get Back To Sport, and Serena Simmons, Chartered Psychologist & Founder of The Psychology School.

Together they discuss the importance & value of clinicians combining exercise, education and psychological skills in practice, with strategies to improve patient adherence and practical takeaways from real case studies. For details on Serena Simmons ‘Behaviour Change Psychology for Therapists’ course and Dr Claire Minshull's 'Strength & Conditioning for Therapists' course, see website links below. 

Full details & conference tickets are available at Hands On Hub & STA Conference 2025 - The ST School. STA members have a discount code which can be found in the latest STA Newsletter & Facebook Members page.

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In Ep.252, we start our countdown to the STA South West Conference that is happening in Exmouth this September 20th and 21st, in collaboration with the ST School and Hands ON Hub. It’s going to be an amazing weekend of presentations, workshops and networking, so over the next 4 weeks we have invited some of the speakers to be guests on this podcast, to introduce themselves to you and discuss what they will be delivering at the conference.

We start in this episode with Michelle Lyons, Women's Health Physiotherapist & Founder of Celebrate Muliebrity, and & Siobhan O’Donovan, aka the Booby Physio & founder of PostureFitting. Together they discuss practical strategies for clinicians working with female athletes, including the menstrual cycle as a powerful diagnostic tool, the importance of correctly fitted sports bras, pelvic health considerations, and keeping girls and women active across the lifespan. Check out this episode for evidence-informed guidance, expect practical tips and ways clinicians can better support female clients.

Up & Coming Podcast Episodes:

Full details & conference tickets are available at Hands On Hub & STA Conference 2025 - The ST School. There’s a Summer Discount available until the end of August AND a further discount code for STA members, which can be found in the STA Newsletter & Facebook Members page.

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In Ep.251 of the Sports Therapy Association Podcast, Megan Jackson, founder of Bodies By Merj, reflects on Ep.224 “Social Media: Do Soft Tissue Therapists Really Need It?” that was recorded back in January this year with guests Katie Bell and Daniel Lawrence.

Megan shares her personal journey into massage, and discusses how her marketing on Instagram in particular provides around 80% of her clients. Megan gives tips on how to create quality content, generate leads and also most importantly how to prevent burnout in the process. The episode also examines why touch and context matter so much in massage therapy, and how modern research is now slowly providing a framework & mechanism for the benefits that massage can bring.   

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Countdown to the ‘STA South West Conference’

Join us for a month of video podcast episodes with some of the conference speakers:

Full details & conference tickets are available at thestschool.co.uk, There’s a Summer Discount available until the end of August AND a further discount code for STA members, which can be found in the STA Newsletter & Facebook Members page.

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Welcome to Episode 250 of the Sports Therapy Association Podcast. In this special STA catch-up episode, host Matt Phillips is joined by STA founder Gary Benson to discuss the latest developments in the soft tissue therapy industry. This episode offers invaluable insights for both STA members and all soft tissue therapists seeking guidance and support.

The conversation delves into the importance of creating a supportive environment for therapists, highlighting the STA's efforts in providing resources such as weekly podcasts, coffee evening chats, and accountability sessions. Gary Benson shares his experiences and the association's initiatives in fostering collaboration within the industry, addressing the challenges related to outdated training narratives, and the complexities surrounding industry regulation.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone in the soft tissue therapy field looking to understand the current landscape, the ongoing efforts towards industry improvement, and the opportunities for professional growth and support through the STA.

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Welcome to Episode 249 of the Sports Therapy Association podcast. In Part 1 of “Facebook Groups For Massage Therapists: Helpful or Hateful?” (Ep.247), host Matt Phillips was joined by a panel of therapists who gave us honest & frank examples of how when seeking help in a Facebook Support Group for Therapists, they were met with harsh & aggressive replies from more experienced therapists, to the extent that they felt the need to post anonymously, in fear of a cascade of judgement & harm to their business.

In this episode, Part 2, Matt invites a panel of experienced therapists to present the case that there is a real need for a clean-up in our industry, and though it may ruffle some feathers, Facebook Groups can be a breeding ground of misinformation that ultimately is doing harm to not just our industry but also the clients & patients paying for our services.

Listen now to this compelling discussion on the prevalent challenges within massage therapy and soft tissue therapy communities, particularly the misconceptions surrounding evidence-based practices. The panel explores the tensions caused by misinformation and propose solutions for creating more supportive and informed social media groups. Discover strategies to foster empathy, maintain professionalism, and promote continuous learning among therapists, for a healthier and more unified industry. Stay informed and inspired by listening to the full debate on how we can collectively move towards a more understanding & supportive community 

Panel In This Episode

Cecily Hislop

Hannah Tabram

Stevie Barr

Gary Benson

A heartfelt thank you to the panels of both Part 1 and Part 2 of this series. We sincerely hope these two episodes generate interest & reflection. If you have any feedback, please feel free to share in the YouTube comments section, or email [email protected]. 

In Ep.248 of the Sports Therapy Association Podcast, we explore the intriguing world of Gait Analysis and its application in sports therapy. Host Matt Phillips is joined by Sophie Gover, founder of 'The Run Doctor UK', who delves into her inspiring journey from Sports Massage Therapy to evidence informed Gait Analysis.

Sophie reflects on how Ep.146 of the podcast “Gait Analysis For Runners: A Modern Approach”, recorded back in April 2023, affected her business set up, marketing and goal setting.  

Listen as Sophie & Matt discuss the balance between biomechanics and holistic approaches, offering insights into overcoming challenges like imposter syndrome and integrating new methodologies.

This episode also revisits past lessons from gait analysis experts, offering a fresh perspective on personal and professional growth in the field. Whether you’re a seasoned therapist or new to the industry, this episode is packed with valuable advice and inspiration.

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The Hands On Hub & STA Conference

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