In Conversation with…Grace Covington
Grace AKA The Female Health Physio is a leading specialist pelvic & hip Physiotherapist with a passion for female health and performance, early onset menopause and sport and exercise in relation to pregnancy (pre and post natal). Grace trained at Kings College London, and has extensive experience in performance sport, having worked with with both 7s and 15s rugby teams at national and international level, and most recently as Physiotherapist for the England Women’s team. In addition to this, Grace is highly trained in musculoskeletal assessment and treatment, with postgraduate training in obstetric and gynaecology. It is quite the résumé right?!
As a Mum to two little ones, Grace understands the demands that Motherhood places on the body as well as the importance of finding your own version of health. Here Grace talks candidly about navigating ‘Mum Guilt’, the importance of speaking with friends and her passion for Marine Biology!
Please introduce yourself and tell us a bit more about how you became a Physiotherapist?
I am a Physiotherapist working with both men and women to help them recover from injury or improve performance, with an interest female health. This basically means that I have added specialist skills in managing any pregnancy, gynaecology or hormone related issues, alongside regular rehabilitation.
Many moons ago I worked as a surf coach and happened to be asked to help out with a friend’s charity teaching military amputees to surf. This was where I first garnered interest in Physiotherapy as a career. I studied at KCL university and started out work as an NHS physiotherapist, but quickly got involved in rugby which I loved. It wasn’t until I started working in professional women’s sport that I saw how much more work was needed to support female athletes in relation to their hormonal and gynaecological health, and so I started postgraduate training in that field which led me to the wonderful work I get to do now.
As someone who specialises in women’s health, if you had one piece of advice to give all females what would it be?
Speak to your friends!
I see so many women and people with uteruses who have physical issues which are manageable with the right medical support. But it is the emotional and psychological burden the have carried alone, sometimes for years, of thinking they are abnormal or the only one with a specific issue that always saddens me. Whether it’s menopausal symptoms, bladder or bowel issues, loss of periods or concerns about the appearance of your vulva, someone you know will be experiencing something similar. And failing that, speak to a pelvic health physio who can give you some reassurance and support.
You work with elite performance sport athletes, what would you say it takes to become elite in sport?
A focused mindset, no matter what else is going on you have to be able to focus on what is needed for your sport that day. And a good support network, “no man is an island”, and when times get rocky, you need trustworthy people around you who can be vulnerable with to get you through.
What has your biggest challenge been since becoming a Mother? Either professionally or personally.
Becoming many versions of myself but knowing I can’t give each one of them 100% all the time. A fantastic mother, a wonderful partner, a sporting woman and excellent in my work are my aims, but I’m learning to get comfortable with ‘mum guilt’ and thankfully I love a good scheduling challenge.
What does a brief day in your life look like right now?
I am currently in my final months of maternity leave so every day is quite varied.
In theory, I’m up early to get myself ready, snuggle with my kids on the sofa with bottles of milk and snail and the whale. Then get the kids ready, take my son to nursery, head to the gym, put my daughter in the creche, spend an hour working on some projects for the coming year, train for an hour. I have a 2-year-old boy so there is always some form of running around outdoors scheduled. Some evenings I have meetings in London so leave the house when my husband gets home, otherwise it’s the evening routine together followed by catching up on emails and then catching up with each other.
What is your non-negotiable you do for yourself?
Shower and wash my hair, very basic but I can’t function without a shower.
Tell us about your biggest professional highlight to date?
That’s a tough one, there have been a few stand out experiences but I think the first autumn internationals I worked with The England Women’s Rugby Team back in 2016. It was my first time working with the players in that set-up…... and we won.
Best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
“Take holidays” – my mum was an incredibly hard-working single mother and business woman and she showed me the value in shared experiences as a family. When you work and juggle family life, that quality time together is precious.
What’s your theme tune? (The song that lifts your spirts, makes you work harder in the gym, puts a smile on your face).
The Crazy Cousinz remix of Meleka, Go.
If you hadn’t of chosen physiotherapy, what other career path would you like to venture down?
A marine biologist working on a remote tropical island. The ocean is my happy place. I think I could happily live in a wooden house on stilts, owning only a bag full of bikinis and researching marine ecology to help save the planet.
Finally, what does health mean to you?
Health is your most precious asset. It may fluctuate over time, but it is a culmination of the tiny positive physically and psychological habits you do for yourself daily.
How can people find/reach you?
I am gradually returning from maternity leave over the coming weeks, so keep an eye on my Instagram page for more details of clinic dates both in person and virtually; @grace.femalehealthphysio and the best email address to get me on for enquiries is grace@thefemalehealthphysio.co.uk