darren_prohealth_physio

15/08/2026

Some days just fill the tank. 🚴‍♂️🌊😂

Early train up to Berwick this morning with my mate Dan, bikes in tow, then pointed them north and set off for Edinburgh.

90km later, after some absolutely cracking countryside, plenty of miles and plenty of chat, we rolled into the city.

Next stop: Portobello Beach for possibly the most Scottish version of a post-ride shower — straight into the sea. 😂🌊

Then it was into Edinburgh to explore, soak up the atmosphere and catch some comedy at the Fringe.

A pretty solid day out.

The older I get, the more I realise how important it is to deliberately make time for the things that fill your soul.

10/08/2026

Know your values.
Know your morals.
Know your compass.

Because people, circumstances and agendas will always try to pull you off course.

When things become complicated, bring it back to something simple: ethics.

Am I behaving ethically? Are they?

Look beyond words and watch actions.

True authenticity doesn’t require manipulation, hidden agendas or backhanded intentions.

True behaviour is looking at how someone shows up everyday, and there interactions are consistent…..

When you’re clear on who you are, what you stand for and the lines you won’t cross, it becomes much harder for anyone else to steer you away from the person you’re meant to be.

Protect your compass.

Character is what remains when everything else is stripped away.

07/08/2026

⚽ The joys — and challenges — of team sport at 40!

I turned 40 back in June, and apparently my way of celebrating is to dust off the football boots and see if the old body can still get around a Gaelic football pitch for 70 minutes. 😂

With championship football coming up in September, I’ve decided to give it a go for the next few weeks.

And there’s something brilliant about being back involved in team sport.

The training. The competition. The changing-room craic. Having a common goal. Pushing yourself that little bit harder because there are other people alongside you.

But returning to sport at 40 is also… interesting!

Recovery definitely takes a little longer than it used to. Nutrition matters. Hydration matters. Sleep matters. Strength and mobility matter. And managing all of that alongside work, family life and the usual stresses of everyday life becomes part of the challenge.

The question is whether this 40-year-old body can still handle 70 minutes when championship time arrives. 😅

But it’s a challenge I’m willing to try.

It also got me thinking about ageing and sport more generally.

We’re seeing incredible examples of professional athletes competing at a high level much later into their careers. I’m certainly not putting myself in the same category as a machine like LeBron James 😂 — but perhaps the wider lesson is relevant to all of us.

Are we getting better at staying athletic as we get older?

And does sport — particularly team sport — give us something that simply “keeping fit” doesn’t?

For me, the next few weeks will be a little experiment in exactly that.

For those in your 40s, 50s and beyond — what are you doing to stay fit, active and competitive? And are you still playing the sports you love?

I’d be interested to hear how others are approaching it.

05/08/2026

Delayed post from the Heart & Soul Racing Festival at the weekend.

Provided some post workout 🏋️‍♀️ treatment for runners, hybrid athletes and general public on the day.

29/07/2026

Lovely few days in Paris over the weekend at the

A beautiful 40th birthday present from this absolute superstar Symonne Ayim special few days in one of the most beautiful cities in the world with a lady who personifies the ‘beautifully human’ tattoo on her shoulder. Mi amor x

14/07/2026

Last week I had the privilege of being invited to speak at the WISTEM Conference (Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) as part of the incredible Northumbrian Water Innovation Festival 2026.

Representing both Pro Health Physio NE and the Newcastle Eagles , I was honoured to be part of a panel discussion titled “The Question of Support”.

I found myself sitting between two incredibly inspiring individuals: rugby player Emma Wassell and Sam Blake DL from Newcastle Eagles, a former Olympic swimmer. The conversation was engaging, thought-provoking, and challenged many of us to think differently about support, leadership, and inclusion.

The discussion explored allyship in the workplace, diversity of thought, and the importance of embracing differences across gender, race, culture, and lived experiences.

Drawing on my experiences working in women’s sport, from supporting the Great Britain Women’s Basketball Team to more recently working with the Newcastle Eagles Women’s Basketball Team, I reflected on the unique considerations involved in supporting female athletes.

Women’s sport is experiencing a long-overdue surge in visibility, investment, and opportunity. While challenges remain, the momentum is exciting to witness. As someone with nieces growing up around sport, and hopefully future generations in my own family to follow, it is encouraging to see pathways being created that simply didn’t exist to the same extent years ago.

One of the key messages I shared was the importance of understanding your values—whether in sport, business, or life. Know what you stand for. Protect those values. Don’t compromise them for promotion, status, convenience, or external pressure. Your values become your compass during difficult moments, uncomfortable conversations, and periods of uncertainty.

Growth rarely happens inside comfort zones.

We also discussed vulnerability, something that is often misunderstood as weakness but is, in reality, one of the most powerful tools we have. Vulnerability creates connection, trust, empathy, and understanding. In healthcare, sport, and leadership, these qualities matter.

27/06/2026

A huge thank you to Dr Margie Olds for delivering an outstanding shoulder education day at Pro Health Physio today.
Margie is a world-renowned shoulder specialist whose depth of knowledge across shoulder rehabilitation, sports performance, psychology, and clinical decision-making is truly exceptional.
Some of the key takeaways included understanding different types of shoulder instability, tailoring rehabilitation to the stage of recovery, using appropriate return-to-play and end-stage testing, and appreciating how rehabilitation should be influenced by the specific demands of both the sport and the athlete’s position.
The biggest reminder? Effective rehabilitation isn’t just about the injury—it’s about understanding the person, the sport, and the demands they’ll face when they return.
An incredible day of learning from an exceptional clinician, educator, and all-round great person.

Fantastic venue as always at Pioneer Performance - Personal Training

25/06/2026

24/06/2026

Great teams aren’t built solely in the workplace—they’re built through shared experiences.
Whether it’s learning together, training together, exercising together, or simply enjoying time outside of work, these moments strengthen relationships, trust, and team culture.

At Pro Health Physio, we’re passionate about fostering an environment of continuous development, clinical excellence, high standards, and strong governance. But just as importantly, we value the friendships and connections that help make our team stronger every day.

A connected team delivers better outcomes—for each other and for the people we care for.

21/06/2026

Feeling very grateful 🙏 on the back end of a wonderful 40th birthday 🎁 week.

Filled full of friends, love and laughs.

Especially proud of Symonne Ayim for putting on a fantastic party, organisation of 12 close friends to go out for food, followed by a cracking day at ’s

It’s weeks like this that make any challenges in life worth facing.

Looking forward to creating many more memories like the last week. Thanks for all the birthday wishes and all the kind words. 🥰