Therapist Spotlight: Alessandro

Being born in London to an Italian family has really shaped me in a balanced way. My Italian side taught me to grow up with strong family values, they mean everything! They instilled a deep appreciation for connection and tradition, especially in the kitchen! At the same time, growing up in London was great; I was exposed to a different type of diversity and independence from a young age. This really helped me value the importance of adaptability and being open-minded. I try to take the best from both cultures, so I can adjust to different environments and cultures with ambition and confidence. 

 

From my Italian side, I value the emphasis on family, loyalty, and the importance of sharing time together. There is a real sense of closeness and passion that I value deeply. From my British roots, the independence, resilience, and flexibility that come from growing up in a crazy city like London. I think I’ve managed to naturally blend both, staying grounded in strong family roots whilst also valuing my individuality and personal growth.  

 

My passion for the human body started when I became deeply involved in sport. I competed at a high level in swimming, track and field, and football. Unfortunately, in my youth, I wasn’t aware of how to treat the body with respect and picked up multiple injuries. I realised that the body tells a story, and I became drawn to understanding that story and learning how I could improve it. The idea that hands-on therapy and exercise could reduce one's pain, restore movement, and genuinely improve someone's quality of life really resonated with me.

 

For me, the defining moment was when I sustained a lower back injury playing football and had to see a professional. Going through the process opened my eyes to how much of an impact skilled, hands-on treatment can have, not just physically but mentally as well. I remember most the feeling of empowerment and security I felt, understanding what was happening inside my body and the measurable progress week by week. In the end, I didn’t just want to recover; I wanted to be able to provide that security and relief to others.

 

The most rewarding part is definitely seeing someone regain the confidence in their body they lost. To me, it’s not just about reducing pain, it's about helping a client move freely, return to activities they love, or feel more in control. Knowing that the therapy, knowledge, and guidance have played a role in improving someone's quality of life is incredibly fulfilling 

 

Pain is not a measure of effectiveness in massage therapy. Excessive pressure can actually cause guarding, which will cause the muscles to tighten further. Effective therapy works with the nervous system, not against it. Sustainable change comes from appropriate pressure, precision, and clinical reasoning, not brute force.

 

Outside the clinic, a perfect day for me would start with a good gym session or a swim with some time in the sauna to unwind. I like to stay productive, so of course, keeping up with my work notes or any extracurricular work I have (currently learning more about commodities and consumer sentiment). I’d ideally spend time with family or friends over some great food, and if I had some quiet time in the evening, I’d either read or sit at my piano, which really helps me switch off mentally. My ideal day blends productivity, meaningful time spent with people I care about, and ‘me’ time!

 

If I weren’t a therapist, I’d see myself working in a field related to macroeconomics. Over the last 4 or 5 years, I’ve really developed an interest in understanding how economies function on a large scale, from government policies to global markets. It’s a field that really challenges you to think critically, solve problems, and make informed predictions, which is something that I find really engaging.

 

Currently, I have short-term and long-term goals. My current short-term goal is to improve my vocabulary and pronunciation. People will always tend to understand and follow people who are well spoken with confidence and ease. My biggest long-term goal is my health. To maintain a consistent exercise routine and prioritise my mental health through mindful habits.

 

People are often surprised that I speak Italian and am learning Spanish, possibly because I have a very thick London accent and have grown up here. But to me, being able to appreciate and learn other cultures is important; the world is huge!

 

My approach to wellbeing to wellbeing has been most influenced by one of my course leads at university. I previously believed that treating the source of the pain is the answer; he taught me to take a holistic approach. Often, where the pain resonates is not where it stems from. That being said, manual therapy at the source of pain is still important, but to make some lasting change, the source is just as important.

 

After a long week, resetting my body and my mind is important. I usually partake in some activity, whether that is swimming, padel, or the gym. I will always spend time in the sauna and make sure I relax with some great food and some company. It helps me recharge physically and mentally so I can show up in high spirits for my clients. 

 

This point in my life, I am most proud of my degree, not just because of the qualification itself, but also because it shaped the way I think and approach problems. It taught me discipline, critical thinking, and how to analyse situations, which was essential for me to learn. It also gave me skills that I now bring to every client session to help improve my clients' quality of life.

 

In 10-20 years, I believe I will have built a life where I am thriving both personally and professionally. I see myself running a successful clinic, helping clients improve their wellbeing, but also having multiple streams of income. Outside of work, I want a balanced life filled with travel, quality time with family and friends, whilst I am still keeping up with my passions like fitness and music. Ultimately, I want a life where I feel fulfilled, healthy, and constantly learning. 

 

My friends and I have developed an adage, ‘head down’, to us, it just means the only way is forward. This is the advice I would tell my younger self: Things don’t always happen as quickly as you want, but every experience teaches you something valuable, so the point is to stay consistent and keep moving forward even if the path isn’t clear.

 

Spending time at the gym or swimming instantly lifts my mood. Moving my body and clearing my mind always gives me energy and boosts my mindset. 

 

- Plan it all or go with the flow? I like to Plan but important to be aware that plans change, so stay flexible

- Mountains or beach? The beach is where I feel at home

- Early workout or late-night session? Early morning, I always feel stronger

- Strength training or mobility work? A mix of both is important 

- Coffee or espresso? Espresso always

- Pasta or pizza? Pizza always, family is from Napoli, have to make them proud

- Podcasts or books? Books 

- Spontaneous trip or carefully planned holiday? A spontaneous trip always leads to a great time

- Technique or intuition? Mix of both, need to use technique but follow where the body is telling you to go 

- Sunrise or sunset? Sunset to me is more beautiful

- Cook at home or eat out? Cook at home, need to get my macros in!

- See the future or change the past? Neither live in the moment.

- Deep tissue or relaxing massage? Deep tissue, fix the problems!