TEAM YOP
At YOP we will guide you along your path to your healthy and happy future whatever that may look like for you.
At YOP we are rehab, exercise and performance specialists, we deliver personal successes through an exercise-based model of physiotherapy, rehabilitation and performance.
Together with your hard work and commitment and our guidance you will get stronger, become more robust and resilient. Your confidence will flourish and you will overcome your pain to achieve your optimal performance and all whilst being challenged and having fun.
KATE
Chartered Physiotherapist, Endurance Sports and Strength & Conditioning Coach, Exercise and Rehabilitation Specialist and Sports Massage therapist.
I live in Hexham with my family including our daft spaniels. I have a background in Human Resources and Project Management and I worked for several multinational companies before (in pursuit of a better work/life balance for my family), I retrained as a Chartered Physiotherapist, Triathlon and Strength and Conditioning coach. After qualifying I held a number of roles within the NHS before moving into a predominantly sports-based musculoskeletal physiotherapy practice where I gained further experience.
I have run my own small business from home for many years but it has always been my goal to develop this into a more all-encompassing model combining physiotherapy and sports performance. This reflects my belief that individuals who commit to ongoing activity will develop high quality movement patterns, improve functional strength and become robust, enhancing their resistance to fatigue and injury.
In the past I have suffered a number of sports injuries ranging from mild ankle sprains to ruptured knee ligaments and torn cartilage from a hockey accident plus a prolapsed lumbar disc. I have always taken a pro-active approach to my rehab and continued with my strength work and this helped me bounce back each time. Injuries are not the end to your sporting life, it’s the way you manage them that counts.
This philosophy is reflected in our business model which adopts a pro-active and long term approach; encompassing health, wellbeing, fitness and performance. We want to support you in achieving your goals. In the last 10 years I have gained a range of complimentary qualifications as well as 1:1 and group coaching/teaching experience. This gives me a unique ability to deliver highly individualised physiotherapy care and performance coaching to support people to achieve their goals.
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:
BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy.
HCPC registered.
Level 3 Sports Massage, Personal Training.
Level 2 BTF Diploma + open water certified, UKA Level 2 running and British Cycling Level 2; swim teaching, gym instructing and indoor cycling.
Level 1 Kettlebells.
Level 4 SCE Strength and conditioning coaching qualifications for adults and children.
First Aid trained.
DBS cleared.
Volunteer triathlon coach at local tri club, NE Triathlon Academy and formally Run Leader at Jog on the Tyne.
I have completed a range of sporting events such as Ironman Copenhagen 140.6, the Rat Race Coast 2 Coast two day challenge (running, cycling and kayaking a total of 105 miles), a 24hr endurance ride, a 39 mile ultra-marathon in the Lake District and a number of other triathlons.
My focus for the coming year is to help you build Your Optimal Performance!
Daisy
Chartered Physiotherapist
I’m a physiotherapist who grew up in Cumbria and have always loved being active and outdoors. Before training as a physiotherapist, I studied Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Stirling, which gave me a strong foundation in how the body moves, adapts, and performs.
I’m passionate about running, cycling, and helping people live healthy, active lives. I love working with clients at every stage of their journey, from complete beginners to experienced athletes. I’ve volunteered with triathlon clubs and cycling teams and worked with elite athletes, supporting strength and conditioning, massage therapy, and physiotherapy. At the same time, I’m just as passionate about helping older adults build strength, balance, confidence, and long-term fitness for everyday life.
I use my background in sport and exercise science to make rehabilitation specific, practical, and relevant to you and your goals. My aim is that everyone leaves their appointment feeling motivated, confident, and clear about what comes next , whether that’s returning to sport, building strength, or simply moving better and feeling stronger day to day.
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:
MSc Physiotherapist.
BSc Sport and Exercise Science.
Level 3 Sport Massage Therapy.
First Aid trained.
DBS cleared.
I have grown up doing lots of sports, ballet, tennis, horse riding, running and cycling!
Quite the mix! Since leaving school at 18 my focus has been mainly on cycling, I have spent 5 years in elite development cycling teams and 2 of those riding for Alba, a UCI Continental Team.
I love to race, and at heart I’m incredibly competitive. Yet my favourite ride is the Fred Whitton in the Lake District, which I’ve completed three times and been fastest female twice. It’s a day that always lights a fire in my belly, because it’s about showing up as my best self. That passion is what I love about my work as a physiotherapist, helping my clients feel strong, confident, and ready to be their best when it matters most.
TILLY
Coach, Exercise Specialist, Massage Therapist.
After spending time travelling, living in Australia for two six-month stints and backpacking across Europe with my partner, I discovered a passion for health, fitness, and wellbeing. This journey inspired me to pursue a career in personal training, nutrition, and sports massage therapy.
I am a fully qualified Level 3 Personal Trainer, currently working towards my Level 4 Personal Training certification and have just qualified as a Sports Massage Therapist. Alongside this, I am completing my pre and post natal exercise qualification and final nutrition assessment, with the goal of one day becoming a Physiotherapist. My aim is to provide clients with a well-rounded approach to health and fitness, combining expert training, tailored nutrition advice, and sports massage therapy to support recovery and performance.
My passion lies in helping people at every stage of their journey:- whether you’re just starting out, working through rehab, or chasing a new goal. With a combination of personal training, nutrition guidance, and sports massage therapy, I aim to support not just performance, but overall wellbeing.
“My passion lies in helping people at every stage of their journey:- whether you’re just starting out, working through rehab, or chasing a new goal.”
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:.
Level 3 Personal Training and Sports Massage.
Currently working towards Level 4 Personal Training, Pre and Post Natal Exercise Trainer and Sports Nutrition qualification.
First Aid trained.
DBS cleared.
I have been weight training since I was 16 and, over the past two years, I’ve expanded my training to include running and cycling. This sparked my interest in the variety of training methods required for different goals, from preparing for a Hyrox event, to building the endurance needed for an Ironman, which I hope to complete one day.
This personal journey has deepened my understanding of performance, progression, and discipline, which I now bring into my work with clients.
KAREN
Coach, Exercise Specialist, Massage Therapist.
I live in rural Northumberland with my family and other animals.
I am passionate about sport in general and helping others achieve their goals. It is important to me that people feel good about themselves and enjoy a healthy lifestyle. I have joined the YOP team to accomplish this and promote sporting performance for all.
Running has always been my main sport and I have achieved some noticeable titles/times in my day, in cross-country, road and fell. (NE Cross Country Champ as a Senior, NE Fell running champion as a Senior and Vet, winner of the Blaydon Race 1991). I continue to race competitively despite getting on a bit.
In triathlon, I have achieved age-group winner at Ironman Distance (Outlaw) and NE champ as a Senior. I have also been NE Cyclocross Champion.
“Now its about you…..
I hope I can support you in reaching your goals and aims in sport.”
MY RELEVANT QUALIFICATIONS
(quite a mix!)
British Athletics Run Leader.
British Triathlon Level 2 Coach + open water certified.
Level 3 Diploma in Sports Massage.
Certificate in Health and Beauty Massage.
Certificate in Exercise to Music.
Spinning Instructor.
First aid Trained.
DBS checked.
Now, my relevant experience…
I have worked in Nursing for 28 years and continue to do so part-time.
I am a volunteer coach at Tynedale Harriers concentrating on middle distance and cross-country athletes.
I have coached for One Life Triathlon Club.
I gain a lot of satisfaction from assisting and seeing people enjoying sport whatever their level.
GAIL
Consultant Physiotherapist, Rehabilitation Specialist.
I qualified in Physiotherapy from Northumbria University in 2004 and started my career doing my junior rotations in Hartlepool and North Tees trust, this gave me a broad range of experience before I decided to specialise in musculoskeletal physiotherapy.
I have significant senior level experience in MSK working in both the NHS and private MSK practices in the North East and completed a Masters level accredited MSK course in 2007.
I am qualified in, acupuncture, Kinesio taping, myofascial release and first aid as well as being an APPI Pilates instructor, which enables me to provide additional adjuncts to the core physiotherapy offering.
I am a keen skater and I have been the Physio for the Whitley Warriors ice hockey club since 2006.
“I love the philosophy behind the YOP model, as I believe people should be empowered to look after their own health so they can enjoy life to the full, return to work and sport and achieve the outcome they want.”
I believe Your Optimal Performance is different to most physiotherapy practises as it takes a long term approach empowering individuals to improve their ability and performance injured or not.
In my spare time I ice skate, do tai chi, walk and generally keep fit.
Love to read and travel.
MY EXPERIENCES AND QUALIFICATIONS
BSc Sport and Exercise Science Degree
Level 2 Gym Instructor
Currently undertaking a Sports Massage Therapy Course
First Aid at Work Trained
Much more to come…
Keren
Registered Dietitian and Personal Trainer
I am from Scotland and recently moved to Hexham for work.
After qualifying as a Registered Dietitian, I held a number of roles in the NHS and currently specialise in Mental Health, in particular the gut brain axis, eating disorders and disordered eating. I am trained in motivational interviewing and behaviour change, and work closely with individual clients to help them make changes to their diet and lifestyle to optimise their physical and mental health.
I enjoy being active in the great outdoors and began running in 2018. This is where my interest in sports nutrition began. I went on to gain further qualifications as a Personal Trainer and a Level 3 Award in Supporting Pre and Postnatal Clients. Furthermore, I am working towards a Postgraduate Certification in Sport and Exercise Nutrition at Leeds Beckett University.
With over seven years experience working as a Registered Dietitian, I am passionate about bridging the gap between physical and mental health, and improving clients relationship with diet and exercise so they can perform at their best. I am therefore excited to work for the team and be a part of all the great work that they do.
Fin
Director and Head Coach of AeroFin Performance and Former GB Athlete
I have launched my own cycling coaching and performance testing business, AeroFin Performance. I currently coach riders of all ages and disciplines both locally and afar. A big part of my coaching is using science and technology to help athletes improve in the forms of aero testing and lactate testing, as well as new and old research to back up my approach.
Previously I have raced on the world stage of cyclocross and have represented Great Britain in World Cup’s as well as competing in the other major cyclocross series. Recently, as I now work full time, I have switched focus to mainly doing time trials and a little bit of everything else (road, crits, cyclocross and triathlon).
I really believe in building a well rounded athlete regardless of the sport or discipline. Working alongside Kate and the others at YOP allow my athletes to have an all round experience to improve and prolong their performance.
MY EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATION
British Cycling Level 2 Coach
British Cycling Level 2 Cyclocross Specific Coach
ABCC Level 3 Cycling Coach
First Aid Trained