Rebekah Sims | BSc, MSTO, GST

I am a 32-year-old mother of one who loves hoop dance, yoga, and all things fitness. I used to own a coffee house but after my daughter was born I decided to move into a more flexible career, one that I could build around my family life. 

I chose massage as it was something I had always wanted to do and it blended well with my passion for alternative medicine, which I cultivated as a young adult whilst studying Herbology at The Royal Botanical Gardens Edinburgh in 2008-2010. 

First I completed a year-long course in Level 3 Massage Therapy, where I learned Swedish Massage, Hot-stone Massage, Indian-Head Massage, and Aroma Massage. I discovered that I loved the anatomy and physiology side of the discipline and wanted to further my skills. I then completed a Level 3 Sports Massage course where I began to understand the power of massage on physical rehabilitation. It was during this course that a guest lecturer convinced me to undertake the Foundation Degree in Sports Therapy and Injury Rehabilitation provided by the college. It was an excellent piece of advice, the following year I began and knew immediately it was the right thing for me. I had had clients who were dealing with pain numerous times by this stage and wished I could have helped them more. I dived right into this course, I gave it my all and graduated with a Distinction.  It was such an incredible learning curve and the beginning of a journey that I am still on. During this time I worked from home under the business name No12 Sports Therapy and Massage, however, I chose to stop working from home this year to use the room as a bedroom and to have time for a sports therapy apprenticeship with Plymouth Argyle F.C. 

I worked with the Argyle first team throughout pre-season and then through the season until Christmas, honing my sports massage skills further and gaining insight into industry rehab protocols. I would have stayed with them for the year but I received the wonderful offer to establish myself at the Well-being Centre and to work in association with Brasher Biomechanics. Here I can practice the full arsenal of skills I have developed, and relish the opportunity. 

I am now halfway through a one-year Bachelor of Science top-up Degree Course in Sports Rehabilitation with Sports Therapy. I absolutely love it and find there is always more to know, a new string to my bow each week. 

Qualifications
City & Guilds: Level 3 Diploma in Beauty Therapy - Complimentary Massage Route: Distinction
YMCA: Level 3 Diploma in Sports Massage: Distinction
City College Plymouth: Foundation Degree in Sports Therapy and Injury Rehabilitation: Distinction