#3: Building your new foundation from the feet up with Harry Rowland

Harry Rowland is a former rugby player with playing stints at London Irish, Moseley, Ealing and Rosslyn Park and is now a mobility and movement coach.

His journey in rugby includes an impressive list of injuries including 3 spinal fractures, neck operations, metal work in his arm, a reconstructed and arthritic knee, numerous broken noses as well as a fair few concussions. These injuries helped lay the foundations for him to explore movement at a much deeper level training in Functional Range Conditioning, Kinstretch and Pilates to name a few modalities and he has created a life around teaching others the benefits of movement.

A mantra of his that I really liked which I read whilst researching for this podcast was - 'Don’t sit and vegetate to allow your bodies history define your potential'.

In this conversation we talk about some of Harry's highs and lows within the game of rugby and his interest in different styles of training such as Pilates which served him throughout his career and beyond. Having recovered from a number of injuries including a serious knee injury we discussed what it was like to go through the rehab process whilst his team was on a successful run of form and how he found the process not just physically challenging but mentally too. He talks about how his curiosity with movement which started during his playing career has allowed him to flow into retirement through building a movement coaching business. Since retiring he has seeked out experts from around the world to learn more about the body and recommends you rebuilding your body by starting at your foundations - with your feet! He goes on to discuss the benefits of minimalist shoes and how this can have a positive knock on effect to the rest of the body. 

He also shares lots of great insights which would benefit not just retired rugby players but current ones too and invites you to treasure all the moments and opportunities playing rugby can bring. A huge gratitude to Harry for sharing his story. To find out more about Harry you can check out his website here: 

https://www.hspacemovement.com/

Or you can follow him on instagram here: 

https://www.instagram.com/hspacemovement/

Finally, The Post Rugby Podcast would like to invite you to our Free Facebook Group - The Post Rugby Community to connect with other rugby players (current or retired) and like minded people to continue your journey to a happier and healthier life post rugby.