Wednesday 9th October 2019
By Michelle Hammond
Q1 - What shaped your decision to become a Therapist?
It began when I was training as a dancer, my love for working with the body and my interest for the way in which it moves and how this is so different from person to person started to grow. I began to realise the importance of touch and how I could use this to benefit other people as well as my fellow dancers.
Q2 - What is the best thing about being a Therapist?
Getting to meet such diverse people each day and being able to give them something making them feel good even if it is for a short while. Also the team I work with, they are great!
Q3 - What do you believe are the most critical character traits of a successful Therapist?
Being kind, caring and compassionate. To be able to be empathetic, positive and professional. I also think having a good touch being able synchronise with and read people especially their body language.
Q4 - Who has influenced you most throughout your career?
Probably the teams I have had the pleasure to not only work with but become good friends with along the way also the professionals that have trained me.
Q5 - What is your favourite treatment to give and why?
This one changes depending on how I am feeling. I really enjoy giving treatments to people who are going through something either physical like an injury or personal, being able to help them to relax for an hour or so. So I guess either deep tissue/ Sports massage, Crystal Therapy Massage or Reflexology (all quite different I know)!
Q6 - Do you have any pre or post treatment rituals for protection and self care?
Drink plenty of water, I always try to ground myself and before intense treatments like Crystal I do some deep breathing. I also like to go bare foot so I feel more grounded and flick the energy away after the massage like towards the candles or out a window. If I feel like I have taken some of my guests energy or am feeling a bit drained after a treatment I just try to get some fresh air looking at sea or something.
Q7 - What is your top beauty tip?
Drink water & smile!
Q8 - How do you invest in your own wellbeing. What do you do to look after yourself?
Staying hydrated (water helps with a lot)! Making sure I eat well, breakfast is very important to my wellbeing! Getting outside and doing the activities I enjoy doing like climbing, ice skating & walking with my dog, especially going to the beach or the woods. Having a good work/life balance is important and spending quality time with the people and dog I love.
Q9 - If you could change one thing about the spa and wellness industry what would it be and why?
Maybe just making it completely accessible to everyone & anyone so no one gets turned away and all therapists are confident enough to perform lovely treatments for guests. Also making it as economical as possible raising awareness within the industry about the importance of our planet and what we can do to look after it. I think it's important to have wellness for not only ourselves but for the world we live in too.
Q10 - What is the best quote / best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Well my mum always says treat others how you would like to be treated and you don't know what is going on in their life; and although this is a simple piece of advice I think during a normal working spa week when your busy running around doing treatment after treatment it's easy to forget that perhaps this could be the one chance your guest has to relax and feel good all year. Or maybe they come a bit more regularly but are perhaps a bit rude, understanding that something may be going on in their life's and trying not to forget this enables you to give your full when giving them a treatment. It's such a great thing we can do for people to make them feel good and being mindful of this even when your not feeling 100% and are tired yourself I think is so important as its how we would like to be treated and given the best experience on a spa day even more so when we are going through a difficult time.
FLASH FACTS - FOR FUN SECTION
1. What’s your favourite book
The Alchemist
2. What’s your favourite film of all time
have a handful of classic favourites, Quentin Tarantino's True Romance, The Green mile, Gladiator, The Blues Brothers & Snatch the list does go on the more I think about it!
3. If you could have dinner with anyone, past or present, who would it be and why?
My friend Kaarina who is no longer with us to see her once more.
4. You get taken to your favourite place to be, where are you taken?
In England it would be one of my favourite beaches (Trebarwith or Hemmick) or St Nectans Glen :) There are many countries I would love to be taken back too though.
5. Your perfect dinner is?
Anything with my friends family or partner. Maybe a romantic dinner on a beach with my partner of a nice fish or lobster and mussels and a great desert of course!
6. Your go to drink is?
Sparkling water
7. Your favourite sweet treat is?
Chocolate or batternberg cake
8. What’s your favourite essential oil / scent?
Lavender or peppermint
9. You go for a treatment - what do you have and why?
Prenatal body and scalp massage as I am 6 months pregnant and love a scalp massage.
10. What’s your favourite flower?
Frangipani & hibiscus
11. You want to sleep deeply, what do you do?
Some meditation and use lavender before bed
12. You want to energise fast, what do you do?
It used to be a strong coffee, but nowadays water, breakfast & fresh air.
13. The theme tune to your life is?
Benny Hill haha
14. What makes you laugh to your belly?
Myself, joking, my friends, my partner and my family we are lucky to have such funny times! Also some comedians, I like mock the week.
15. What’s your favourite season?
Spring
16. What’s your favourite colour?
Turquoise.
17. Your favourite time of day is?
First thing in the morning or last thing at night when I am at my most chilled.
18. If you could have been anyone or anything else, what / who would you be?
Just be able to fly I reckon that would be amazing.
19. What’s your current TV guilty secret?
Jane the virgin (my partner hates it)
20. Magic dust - you can learn one new skill instantly, what is it?
Being bilingual I would love to be able to speak another language.
Harriet Baldock is a Senior Spa Therapist at Fistral Beach Spa, Cornwall
My name is Harriet, I am 29 years old and currently working at Fistral beach Hotel & Spa as a Senior Therapist, I previously worked at Gaia spa (which is where I began my journey within the spa industry). I am also 6 & a half months pregnant with my first baby. My passions are travelling & exploring, indulging in different cultures food and places and spending time with my friends, family and dog. I love climbing, walking & ice skating & I really enjoy being outside in the country or at the beach. I am passionate about the environment and caring for the world we live in as well as for the people within it.
We're Crowdfunding to fund a suite of research initiatives focused on evidencing 'the power of touch' for those living with an beyond cancer, suffering through mental health and living with dementia. We'd love your help to make it happen!
