Life Stories Andy Thomas

Radoslav (Brad) Georgiev is a sports therapist and online education developer originally from Bulgaria. He moved to the UK for university, attending Salford University where he switched from studying Business Management to Sports and Leisure Management, driven by his interest in sports and personal fitness.

Brad's professional journey began at a sports injury clinic in Manchester, starting out as a 'body' before quickly moving into more hands-on roles due to his proactive approach to learning and growth. He furthered his expertise by becoming a tutor and course developer, which allowed him to have a significant impact on both his students and the field.

Recognising the potential of online platforms to extend his reach, Brad created a digital platform dedicated to sports therapy education and client rehabilitation programs. His work aims to support both healthcare professionals seeking further education and individuals looking for guidance on injury prevention and recovery.

Brad is a proponent of maintaining physical health for professional efficacy and integrates this philosophy into his educational offerings. His straightforward and accessible approach to sports therapy has made him a respected voice in the health and wellness community.

Nicola Graham is a strategic advisor in human performance, who has transitioned from being the managing director of Tops Health, a physiotherapy business based in Oxfordshire. With an extensive background in medical healthcare and private healthcare markets spanning over 16 years, her expertise includes traditional physiotherapy, strength and conditioning, and wellness services like Pilates, yoga, sports massage, psychology, nutrition, and physiology.

Having completed an MBA, Nicola has re-evaluated her career path to focus on leveraging her comprehensive skillset across various sectors, emphasising human performance. She is passionate about enhancing personal branding and has worked with personal branding strategy advisors to redefine her professional image and expand her career opportunities.

Nicola is also an entrepreneur, having undergone a management buyout to become the owner of her business, which has been established since 1984. She continues to explore new ventures and invests in companies that align with her interests in fitness and health technology. Her dynamic career path showcases her commitment to continuous learning and adaptability in various business and health disciplines.

Adam Meakins a Specialist Physiotherapist, Sports Scientist, and Strength & Conditioning Coach working in the NHS and private practice in the UK.Adam has worked in many roles throughout his career, including professional sport, and has been fortunate enough to work with, and learn from some of the worlds leading experts.Adam has helped a wide and diverse range of people return to full function after an injury or episode of pain, and understands the importance of good honest robust rehab for all.As a keen sportsman himself Adam fully understands the passion, dedication and desire all athletes of all abilities have for a speedy return back to performance.

Matt is a Chartered Physiotherapist with experience in both the private and NHS settings.

Matt launched Azzurro Physiotherapy in 2017 which has fast become a busy clinic with one of the best reputations in the area. He specialises in helping people improve their quality of life by reducing pain whilst building confidence and fitness.

Alongside his brother, Matt has created AFlex which is a product designed to help with rehabilitation and performance enhancement of the ankle.

Emily is a leadership coach, speaker, author, business mentor and founder of Active Step Healthcare Ltd.

Since starting her private podiatry practice in 2011 Emily has been a finalist in the Great British Entrepreneur Awards and has used her extensive experience and successful approach to support other practice owners around the world with business coaching, mentoring and leadership development.

Her coaching tends to focus on building practice resilience, developing multifaceted leadership capability and organisational culture.

She is known for her innate ability to help her clients gain clarity and certainty, thus building confidence in their own ability to achieve their personal and practice goals.

Alan qualified in Physiotherapy from Glasgow Caledonian University in 1995 and worked one year in the NHS before taking up a full-time post at Rangers Football Club where his primary remit was the Reserve and Youth team.

Being ambitious, Alan yearned for a Head of Department job which came in 1998 at Port Vale FC who at that time were playing in the English Championship. The year 2000 saw a new millennium and a new challenge for Alan when he was honoured to become part of the medical set-up at Premiership football team Charlton Athletic FC. His role at the Club was working with the First team squad and overseeing a larger Medical Department. It was at this period that Alan completed a Masters degree in Sport and Exercise Medicine and took up a part-time role as Head Physiotherapist for the Wales national football squad from 2003 – 2005.

The pull of his Scottish roots proved too much and in 2004, Alan returned to Scotland leaving full-time football behind when he took up a musculo-skeletal role at BMI Ross Hall Hospital. A role which provided him the opportunity to develop good working relationships with many of the leading surgeons in the West of Scotland. These relationships are still very strong and Alan uses them to assist his patients at PAR Physiotherapy which he now co-runs since 2010.

Alan maintains a strong interest working in sport. He has worked with various Scottish professional football clubs and the Glasgow Rocks professional basketball team. He was part of the medical staff for the British Olympic Association at the 2019 European Games in Minsk. He now divides his time at the clinic with also being part of the medical teams for Scottish Rugby, Scottish FA, British Gymnastics, British Athletics, British Skeleton and British Hockey.

Alan has also worked at various multi-sport games including the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, the 2015 Baku European Games, the 2017 London World Athletic Championships and the 2017 Turkmenistan Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games.