ABOUT ME

ABOUT LARISSA

I’m an Anatomist with a BSc Hons in Anatomical Sciences and an MSc in Forensic Anthropology. I've recently undertaken a part-time PGCert in Clinical Nutrition. I hold qualifications in the fitness industry, and own Kaizen Scotland, a Sports Massage Therapy, Personal Training and Online Coaching business. I also teach and assess L2 Gym Instructor and L3 Personal Trainer qualifications freelance.

I’m passionate about all aspects of higher education learning and teaching, and I’m an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. I have teaching experience as an Academic Skills Tutor, Anatomy Demonstrator and latterly full-time lecturer in Anatomical Sciences, teaching histology, gross anatomy and research methods to undergraduate and postgraduate anatomy and medical students. I also have laboratory work and research experience in pathology and clinical trials.

As the Exams and Standards Manager of the Faculty for Sport and Exercise Medicine UK I currently oversee the Diploma exams in MSK Medicine, Team Care and Exercise Medicine with the support of an enthusiastic and dynamic team, while also managing the Faculty’s Membership exams. I oversee question writing, standard setting, exam delivery and all appraisal and revalidation processes for Sport and Exercise Medicine consultants associated with the Faculty. I’m also managing various other projects associated with the growth of the Faculty and the Sport and Exercise Medicine speciality in the UK and overseas.

I feel extremely passionate about all aspects of my work in the health and fitness industry, and it is a privilege to contribute to the development of education and standards in the field of Sport and Exercise Medicine. A healthier nation will inevitably be achieved with health and exercise promotion, preventative rather than reactive medical treatments involving physical activity, and with an understanding of movement as medicine.

I work tirelessly to communicate this message at an individual level, through my work with clients and aspiring Personal Trainers, to a government and national/international level through my work with the Faculty.

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COACHING PHILOSOPHY

I will always be honest with you, meet you with curiosity and an open mind and show you respect. My clients can trust me to always act with their best interest in mind, and it is my aim to make you feel seen, heard, supported and understood from the second you get in touch with me.

My overarching aim is to help you build long-lasting habits that suit your life, because your daily habits lay the foundation of your success - not just in fitness, but in your whole life. I help you to make the connection from your current starting point to the goal you set for yourself, and we will get there together by breaking your journey down into easily achievable milestones.

CORE VALUES

I have integrity. If I am not the right coach for you, I will refer you. If you ask me a question that I don't know the answer to, I will educate myself. I will never pretend that I know it all, or have the answers to everything. I put my clients before my ego, always.

I am reliable, honest and respectful. I expect my clients to be the same.

I am driven by passion and curiosity for my career and continuously strive to better myself through feedback, reflection and continued professional development for the benefit of my clients.

WHAT I OFFER

Sports Therapy

I offer deep tissue massage treatments and sports therapy including massage, functional cupping and kinesiology taping services.

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Coaching

I offer business coaching for newly qualified PTs, nutrition consultations, 1:1 in-person personal training in a private gym setting, and online coaching.

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FITNESS, HEALTH AND PERFORMANCE

My Personal Experience

FAT LOSS & MUSCLE BUILDING

I always lived an active life, but had a poor relationship with food as a teenager and was prone to binge and over eating habits. Before I could start on a journey to improve my physique almost a decade ago, I first did the hard work that nobody sees:

Establishing a healthy relationship with food
Defining my binge eating triggers
Improving my mental health
Acquiring knowledge (I did a lot of this work by myself, no coach..!)

I understand how it feels to be deeply unhappy, trapped in your body and stuck in your ways. I meet my clients where they are, support them on their journey and I coach with compassion as they progress towards a mentally and physically healthier version of themselves.

ENDURANCE SPORT

I enjoy triathlon and have taken part in half and full marathons. I am currently training for long-distance endurance cycling, and will cycle through the UK from Land's End to John O'Groats in nine days in September 2024 to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

What I find fascinating about endurance sport is the mental strength and grit that is gained from training for and taking part in these events.

I encourage any client to take part in cardiovascular activity, and find a sport or training style they enjoy - be that a triathlon discipline, group exercise training at the gym or other types of functional training. I give clients autonomy and choice when it comes to selecting their exercise preference, and I have the experience to advise on and programme for a wealth of exercise types and styles.

STRENGTH TRAINING

I have personally been strength training for over a decade, and in order to achieve visible results in a natural way, I apply the same three key principles that I communicate to all clients:

Structure
Consistency
Patience

Without these it will be difficult to see progress. I reassure my clients along the way of their fitness journey and hold them accountable to and remind them of these three key principles.

I competed in powerlifting, trained in a CrossFit box long before I became a coach, and learned Olympic Lifting as a teenager. Even while training for endurance type sports, strength training is key to prevent injuries and support sports performance, and hence remains part of my routine.