"Mike, Many thanks for your help last season in maintaining my body to enable me to have the best race season to date. My win in the sub 2.30 race at London and 5th in my age group in the Europeans at Lausanne were the high lights of my season. Massage sessions meant I always reached the race line in the best shape possible, and any niggles were prevented from becoming injuries. Thanks again and hope you will be able to help me in the coming season."

- 220Triathlon Age-group Athlete of the Year
- Dual European gold medallist (2004, 2005)
- Top ten finisher at World Championships (2003-2005)

*Photos courtesy of Nigel Farrow

- 21st London Marathon 2005 & 7th Commonwealth Games 2006

Thanks Mike.

Daniel Bullock,

- M.I.O.S.
- Swim For Tri - the swim improvement specialists
- London Region Coach of the Year 2005/6
- 220 Coach of the Year 2005/6

They say that the body is a work of art, and therefore only artists should involve themselves in trying to understand it, well welcome to the 'Michael' Angelo of sports massage.

Having suffered for many years with a chronic back/neck problem, I have tried many avenues and have had all too many diagnosis - all to no avail.

By chance I contacted Michael, and within minutes a correct diagnosis was arrived at, and his comprehensive knowledge and experience in this field of work was clear to see and feel!

I would have no hesitation in recommending Michael to any sports professional, or indeed for that matter anyone with any form of muscle ailment, who has never witnessed an artist at work!
This guy is the stuff with what legends are made of.

Lionel.Vassell - Woodford Green, Essex.

Just over three years ago I made a dramatic change to my regular training routine, I only did cardiovascular exercise, swimming, biking and jogging. The results were amazing I slowly started losing weight even though I ate the same.

I fact I really enjoyed jogging and it’s benefits, I increased my jogging times to ‘Fat Burn’ sometime jogging between 45-120mins 2-3 times a week. After awhile my legs were getting tighter and stretching alone was not adding my recovery, I was advised to see Mike Collins (Big Mike).

I still remember my first massage, Mike only did my legs everywhere hurt, and I tried to climb of the massage table/bed/couch on more than one occasion. I even tried to hold Big Mike’s hands so that he couldn’t inflict any more pain on me.

By the time Big Mike had finished wrestling with me (I mean giving me a massage) I was sweating and physically exhausted. Then next day I felt as though I had been hit by a 40foot container lorry, and the headache which Big Mike warned may come about did, I felt wretched and decided the pain during and after plus the headaches were just not worth it.

However 2-3 days after I felt great, my jogging recovery was better and I was stretching well again. Thankfully I continued seeing Big Mike we still had our wrestling bouts, I would swear he was carrying a sharp pointy thing to gouge me, or that he was in league with my wife to share the insurance money when my heart finally gave in.

After a while I realised we were wrestling less if at all, Big Mike always asked how my training was going, what I was doing. At one particular massage session Big Mike explained to me in details how the body gets rid of Lactic Acid, and the process that one should go through to cool down effectively.

I put Big Mike’s advise into practice after a particularly long morning jog. Normally after a morning jog even after having a good stretch my legs would tighten up in the afternoon. This time I had no after affects from the run at all, it was like a miracle, I now use Big Mike’s cool down method after all jogging sessions and those taxing biking sessions.

With Big Mike’s motivation and encouragement I went on and completed my first Half Iron Triathlon in a time of 7hours 30mins, the following year I finished in 6hours 30mins a massive 60mins improvement.

Over the years Big Mike has been a listening ear, giving pearls of wisdom that have helped keep me going on the numerous times when my morale was low. My massage sessions are as much counseling, as repairing the damage I have done to myself through training.

More than most I am so grateful that I was introduced to the ‘Magic Hands’ of Big Mike Collins.

Ralph Robinson
Sports Development Officer (Novice Triathlete)

In Winter 2005, an MRI scan revealed I had a severe hamstring tear and over the next year I set about consulting various top sports specialists. It soon became clear that with comments like “I’ve never seen an injury as bad as this” and “this injury is so old it’s irreparable”, I was at my wits end as to whether I might ever be able to walk/sit/run without any pain, as no-one seemed to be able to cure me.

A friend suggested that I go and see Mike Collins who was literally my last chance of ever running again, pain free. After two sessions with Mike I could immediately feel a difference, with less pain and more mobility. I seriously couldn’t believe that I felt so much better. After a couple more sessions, I had improved so much that I managed a short run without any pain – I hadn’t been able to do this for 12 months. I increased my run by 5 minutes every week until I was back up and running completely pain free.

All I can say is that anyone who knew me during this time was aware of the agony and frustration I had experienced in not being able to find anyone to cure me. It’s no exaggeration to say that Mike truly has “Magic Hands” and being treated by him was the best thing that ever happened to me.

Throughout my training for the English Channel swim crossing I was covering up to 30 miles swimming a week. I relied on Mike to ensure my body remained in peak condition.

I was constantly amazed at how Mike knew where the bad bits were - I didn't even know myself sometimes! He is a great healer and with his help I managed to complete the Channel Crossing in August 2007 in 13 hours 22 minutes.

Thanks Mike - you really do have Magic Hands!

Para Miguel "El Mago" con toda mi carino y gratitud.

Translation: To Michael "The Magican" my love and gratitude.

Dariak Limentova

www.dariaklimentova.co.uk

Thank you for your help I would not make it with out you.