Rachael has followed a varied and deeply interconnected career path, with each stage shaping the way she now works with people and the body.

Her first career was as a marine ecologist, working primarily with the British Antarctic Survey. Over more than 15 years, she progressed from laboratory assistant to completing a PhD, becoming involved in international research projects and working as the principal scientist aboard the research vessel RRS James Clark Ross. Her work also took her overseas, including teaching in South America. In 2018, she helped establish a plankton research team on St Helena — and memorably found herself swimming with a whale shark on her 50th birthday.

Twelve years ago, Rachael moved from Cambridgeshire to Cumbria and embraced a slower, more hands-on way of life. During this time, she expanded her smallholding to include beekeeping, pigs and dairy sheep, developing her dairy skills and teaching cheese making through local workshops. She also worked as a shepherdess on a neighbouring farm, supporting ewes during lambing — unknowingly refining the palpation skills that would later become central to her massage work.

Her transition into massage therapy was sparked through endurance sport. While training for what was billed as the world’s hardest half Ironman — set around Wast Water, Hardknott Pass and Scafell Pike — she experienced sports massage as part of her preparation. That moment became a turning point, leading her to train as a massage therapist.

Six years on, Rachael is deeply passionate about her work, with a particular interest in fascia and how it influences movement, pain and emotional wellbeing. Committed to ongoing learning, she continually expands her range of techniques to help people manage pain, improve mobility, and cope with everyday stress and anxiety.

Alongside massage, she has trained as a yoga teacher, specialising in Yin Yoga, which beautifully complements her bodywork practice. In recent years, she has also undertaken further training in aromatherapy, herbal medicine, and specialist massage for the face and jaw — recognising the powerful way this work can affect the entire body, both physically and emotionally.

Rachael is passionate about working collaboratively with clients, helping people better understand their bodies and find greater freedom, ease and balance. She is always happy to discuss any concerns before treatment, ensuring each session feels supportive and appropriate. Where needed, she also offers online support, which can be surprisingly effective.