In this special episode of Behind the Clinic Doors: The Foot Health Podcast, the roles are reversed as I step into the guest seat and am interviewed by Dave James, Speaker Coach and TEDx Speaker. This episode gave me the opportunity to speak openly and honestly about my journey into the foot health profession, the challenges I faced along the way, and how burnout became a turning point that led me to create something new.

We talk about the many factors that led me into the profession, including my experience working within the NHS and the burnout I faced despite my passion for caring for others. I share how I reached a point where I knew the next step had to be right, not just professionally but personally too.

This conversation explores how I found ways to build variety into my working life, the decisions I made about my qualifications, and the moments where outside voices questioned what I was doing. I reflect on seeing my very first paying client and the emotions that came with that milestone, as well as how quickly my experience and business began to grow.

As demand increased, I recognised the need to create my own dedicated space, which led to building my garden clinic. That step was a huge success, but it soon became clear that more space was needed. We discuss the importance of separating business and personal life, expanding into a town location, and eventually growing into my very own clinic.

We also talk about the early days of patient care, the responsibility of ensuring patients felt safe and supported, and learning how to manage professional boundaries when clients pushed limits. I share how I built my business by becoming visible within my local community and why supporting young people and providing education early is so important to me.

As a single parent, moving from working multiple jobs into running my own business was a huge leap, but it has also been one of the most rewarding decisions I have made. It has allowed me to create flexibility, spend more time with my family, and build a career that aligns with my values.

This is a deeply honest conversation about burnout, resilience, growth, and believing in yourself when the path ahead feels uncertain. If you are navigating burnout, considering a career change, building a business, or balancing family life alongside professional growth, this episode offers a real and relatable story of perseverance.

To learn more about Dave James and his work as a Speaker Coach and TEDx Speaker, visit:
https://www.davethecoach.co.uk/

#BehindTheClinicDoors #BurnoutRecovery #HealthcareJourney #SpeakerCoach #TEDxSpeaker #WomenInHealthcare #SingleParentJourney #SmallBusinessGrowth #ClinicLife #EntrepreneurJourney #HealthcarePodcast #Resilience #CareerChange #FootHealthProfessionals

In Episode 14 of Behind the Clinic Doors: The Foot Health Podcast, I am joined by Heather and David, the creators of Zero Sole, to explore the story behind their innovative pressure relief insole and the clinical thinking that shaped its development.

Zero Sole is a podiatrist designed insole created to help relieve pressure related foot pain using a unique removable hex cell system. Rather than cushioning the whole foot, the design allows specific areas to be offloaded by removing individual hexagonal sections exactly where pain occurs. This episode takes a deep dive into how the idea was developed from clinical practice, the research behind it, and how targeted pressure redistribution can support people living with corns, calluses, forefoot pain, plantar fasciitis, and other pressure driven conditions.

Heather and David share real clinical case studies, discuss how the product evolved from everyday clinic challenges, and explain how innovation in foot care often comes directly from listening to patients and solving real problems seen in practice. We also talk about how insoles fit into modern foot health management and where they sit alongside wider treatment planning.

This is an educational conversation designed for foot health professionals, clinicians, students, and anyone interested in evidence informed approaches to foot pain and pressure management.

Learn more about Zero Sole here:
https://zero-sole.com/

If you enjoy conversations that bridge clinical practice, innovation, and patient care, make sure to subscribe and follow the podcast for future episodes.

#FootHealth #FootHealthProfessionals #Podiatry #Insoles #FootPain #ClinicalEducation #PressureRelief #LowerLimbHealth #BehindTheClinicDoors #HealthcarePodcast #PodiatryEducation #FootCare #EvidenceBasedPractice #HeelPain #Metatarsalgia #PlantarFasciitis

In this episode of Behind the Clinic Doors, I’m joined by Samantha, CEO of Spotlight YOPD, and Emma, Deputy CEO, for an important conversation about Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease (YOPD).We discuss what YOPD is, how diagnosis can look different for younger individuals, and the symptoms that people may experience. This episode focuses on raising awareness and understanding, helping practitioners, clinicians, and the wider community build knowledge and confidence when supporting those living with Young Onset Parkinson’s.This conversation is about education and awareness only and is not intended to diagnose or replace professional medical advice. Samantha and Emma share valuable insights into the lived experiences of those within the YOPD community and the importance of early support, understanding, and collaboration across healthcare.

To learn more about Spotlight YOPD and the work they do, visit:https://spotlightyopd.org/

#YoungOnsetParkinsons #ParkinsonsAwareness #YOPD #BehindTheClinicDoors #HealthPodcast #HealthcareEducation #PatientAwareness #ChronicIllness #ClinicalPractice #FootHealthProfessionals #HealthcareProfessionals #SpotlightYOPD #ParkinsonsSupport