One Step at a Time
My Journey Into Foot Health Practice
28 May 2025
Blog 1: One Step at a Time – My Journey Into Foot Health Practice
So why write a blog? Do all the cool kids do vlogs now? Maybe one day I’ll get there, but for now, I’m choosing words on a page. If you’re thinking about a career change or dreaming of something new, join me. This is my story of becoming a foot health practitioner what steps I’ve taken, what’s gone well, what hasn’t, and what tools I’m leaning on along the way. Hopefully, by the end, I’ll be able to say, “I did it” and maybe you’ll be inspired to start your own path too.
A Career Rooted in Care
For over 20 years, I’ve worked in customer service and healthcare settings. I’ve come to realise that real job satisfaction for me, anyway comes from supporting others. It lights something up in me. There’s even growing research suggesting that the simple act of helping others activates areas of the brain linked to wellbeing and reward.
Supporting a frail family member recently reminded me of the joy and honour of helping someone when they’re most vulnerable. It brought back memories of my earlier days doing personal care work and something in me stirred.
The Turning Point
My current job was recently put at risk due to outsourcing. Suddenly I had to ask myself: What now? What do I really want to do with the next chapter of my life? At 42, I found myself making a pros and cons list. I wanted flexibility, a chance to work clinically but also holistically, and to make a real difference.
Then, on my 43rd birthday, something unexpected happened. I went for a pedicure and it hit me. Not the beauty side of it, but the care, the hands-on nature of it, and the potential to combine health and wellbeing. That was my lightbulb moment.
I started researching how to train as a foot health practitioner and found a course that fits around work. My dream? To offer foot care that’s both clinical and holistic, especially for people with diabetes, balance or mobility issues, and those who might just need someone to really see them.
Balance & Bloom
I’ve always loved growing vegetables and flowers. There’s something therapeutic about it and I believe that just like we tend to our gardens, we can care for ourselves and others, body and soul. I want to bring that nurturing energy into my practice.
The Challenges
1. Dyslexia
This has always been my quiet battle. Hidden. Masked by over-effort. While I’ve thrived in practical roles and have strong emotional intelligence, traditional learning environments haven’t always worked for me. But I’m not letting that hold me back anymore. It’s 2025 and it’s time to own all of who I am.
2. Finances
I’m self-funding this qualification, and that’s no small thing. But I’m doing it sensibly, holding onto my full-time job for now, using annual leave for practical sessions, and budgeting carefully. It’s not easy, but it’s possible.
3. Self-Confidence
That inner critic? Yeah, it’s loud sometimes. But I’m learning to say, “I am good enough.” Inspired by The Chimp Paradox by Professor Steve Peters, I’m changing how I think about success. It’s not perfection it’s progress.
Practical First Steps
• Step 1: Write out a plan. Research courses, compare prices, and consider the time commitment.
• Step 2: Explore the job market. Do you want to be self-employed or work for the NHS or a clinic?
• Step 3: Talk to people. husband and my sister and have been my biggest cheerleaders -find your supporters.
• Step 4: Use tech to your advantage. AI tools and social media can help you shape your brand and get started.
One Step at a Time
That phrase has stayed with me. Feet carry us through life—literally and metaphorically. The idea of helping people with their feet, listening to their stories, and supporting their health feels like exactly where I’m meant to be.
So here I am one step at a time. And if you’re reading this and wondering if you could make a change too… you can!