Olympic Shoot 1 42

Newmarket Locals - Stu Ross from The Body Refinery

Reading Time: 5 Minutes

Newmarket has a plethora of health and fitness studios, from yoga to crossfit and everything in between. We sat down with Stu Ross from The Body Refinery to get his insight into what it means to take care of ourselves in the busy age we are living in and how he first got his start in the wellness and  sports medicine industry.

N.Tell us a little bit about how you got into the Wellness/ Sports Medicine industry?

I was initially enrolled to study law at university. But a bad knee injury while oversees on a gap year in England, and a month of physio, started me down the track of Physiotherapy at University. This and a passion for everything sport since I could walk, sent me on a career trajectory which brings me to where I am today.

Olympic Shoot 1 12

N.Was it a natural progression for you to open up The Body Refinery? (Previously The Wellness Room)

I have always wanted to own my own business and be my own boss. I’ve always been a bit of a disruptor (in a good way). I like to do things a little differently. I don’t like to follow the herd, I like to ask questions and never assume that something is the way it is. I guess that was my creative side coming through. But also it’s due to a passion for helping people be the best they can be, both physically and mentally. The Body Refinery was born out of all the above. It’s about ‘injury recovery and health resilience’. That means people shouldn’t just come to see us to fix an injury but to ask the question... ‘ how do I become more resilient to deal with injuries and pain in the future?!'.

Screen Shot 2018 12 11 At 1.01.32 Pm

N.How do you maintain a well-rounded and healthy balanced lifestyle?

Everything in moderation! Haha although that hasn’t always been the case. I finished my first Ironman triathlon a couple of years ago and that took up most of my time!! I learnt a lot about how to look after my body and mind throughout that journey. My advice, eat clean, hydrate and sleep well. Stretch it if it’s tight, strengthen it if it’s weak!

N.Do you have a few hot tips to maintain a balanced fitness regime over the summer months?

Do what makes you happy in regards to exercise. If you are a parent to little ones, exercise might look quite different to someone without kids and in their 20’s. So, try to do something every day which combats the dreaded ‘desk’! Whether that’s a 30 min walk, a CrossFit workout, or a yoga class. Just getting the heart rate up for at least 30 - 60 mins is good.

Olympic Shoot 1 62

N.In the health/wellbeing realm, especially on social media we see a lot of discussion surrounding mindfulness and being present in a world that is full of distractions. Do you have any advice on understanding and maintaining a healthy state of mind?

Great question!
My advice is reduce or even remove the clutter.
What I mean by that is get rid of the apps on your phone which you don’t use, turn off instagram notifications, limit Netflix to 1-2 episodes of your fav show ( instead of a whole season binge).
A couple of things I’ve done recently:
1. Split my email inbox into priority email, then social, updates, purchases etc... being separate
2. Put a limiter on certain apps like Facebook and instagram on my phone so I can only access them at certain times of the day.

Other than that I have used meditation at particularly stressful times of my life to centre myself and calm my mind. ‘Headspace’ is a great app for this!

N.Do you think exercise feeds into this idea? And how?

Yes! Exercise is a great way of separating a day of work stress from home life. A simple commute to work on the bike, or a fitness class before heading home can really help wash away negative thoughts. For me, I’ve always said running is my meditation!

Essentially, exercise does a lot of good things for both body and mind! The proof has been around for thousands of years. It’s just that we sit at a desk or in front of a tv way more than we did 70 years ago (because those things weren’t invented), so we are now seeing the effects of what that is doing to us as a species. We are designed to ‘move’! And with movement comes a healthier body and mind!

Olympic Shoot 1 38

N.What do you love most about having a business in Newmarket?

I love the community feel we all have in Newmarket! Lots of great fitness options, food options, mixed in with great retail and corporate business! I see people from every walk of life. It keeps me interested and informed! I learn something from my patients every day.

N.What does 2019 look like for you?

2019 is a year for both consolidation and growth! The last 18 months has been pretty hectic with a new name, new partnerships and new business systems. So, next year will start with a relaxed fun vibe for me the staff. Then not too far into the new year we are looking to open a second clinic! Watch this space!
For me personally, it’s about staying healthy!!

 

The Body Refinery 

14 Davis Crescent | 09 520 1832

 

 

Tags:

magnifiercrossmenuchevron-down