Meet Michelle: a Pilates, fitness and wellness coach at Rockroot Wellness.
What is your current role in Health & Wellbeing and what does it involve?
My current interest is in mobility and myofascial release methods. I feel this has a place on the wellness landscape as it can empower to prevent common issues especially midlife and beyond. Now midlife myself, I’m very interested in positive ageing and digging deeper into a meaningful lifestyle which I weave into my sessions.
What’s been your greatest achievement at work?
Feeling my way into the truth of real health. The human body is incredible and resilient with surprisingly simple basic needs. This can be empowering and life-changing.
What is the one piece of wisdom you’ve gained from working in this industry that you wish everyone knew?
The body can compromise for so long in deficit, but eventually problems may arise and I liken this to a tree. You may hop from leaf to leaf – specialist to specialist – to find wellness again, when nurturing the roots should be the priority. Mineral deficiencies, stimulating muscle, supporting your lymphatic system, prioritising sleep, gut health, sunlight and nature are some of these roots.
Can you recommend a simple wellness practice that anyone can incorporate into their daily routine?
Regularly release and balance the hip flexor muscles to counteract all the chair sitting we do in everyday life; tightness and weakness here is a common cause of back ache, bad posture and injury.
What’s your favourite part of Cornwall and why?
Kynance Cove -It looks otherworldly with its unusual serpentine rock. I like rocks and roots 🙂
What’s a little known fact about you?
I have a creative background in alternative music and been part of albums in years gone by. I still occasionally tinker, and believe everyone should use any art form to explore their inner world. This is why I reference the Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron to improve the creative process.
Can you suggest any books, podcasts or resources that have significantly influenced your approach to wellness?
A book called Lost Connections by Johann Hari. So many people are suffering from depression and Hari did the groundwork to explore why depression is a signal in a culture full of junk values. When you see this laid out so clearly, it invites you to create a new lifestyle with meaningful values.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
True courage belongs to the one who dares to show up authentically, risk failure, and keep trying, while the critic stays safe on the sidelines.
