We were lucky enough last October to be introduced to a wonderful Ukrainian massage therapist called Olga.  Olga came to Leeds in the Spring of 2022 as a result of her country’s invasion by Russia.  She had been a massage therapist in Ukraine and so it seemed like a good idea if she came and worked with us here at Phoenix.

Here is Olga’s story in her own words

“I am from the city of Dnipro in Ukraine. I grew up in a good village in the countryside.  I have a wonderful family with 4 brothers and 2 sisters.  I am the oldest in the family.  As a child I liked to play as a Doctor. I always liked to help and support people and it began with my relatives.  When I finished school I decided that I would become a midwife.

I trained and got a professional qualification in obstetrics and midwifery.  I then worked in the maternity hospital of the city of Kamianskoye. I was in love with my profession and I have nine year’s experience in the field of birth and labour.

How I got into massage

I trained in massage because my father needed massage for his health. I really enjoyed the massage training and so this activity became my hobby. All of my free time outside of work was engaged in massage.

To start with I gave massages to relatives and friends. Then I was invited to work in a medical center as a masseur. It was really wide-ranging experience. I worked with lots of different people and did massage for a wide range of health conditions.  I worked with adults, the elderly, children, and pregnant women.

My massage work helped with post-operative rehabilitation and also helped those with heart disease (anti-inflammatory programs). I also did sports and deep tissue massage and lymphatic drainage treatments.

But then…..

Then there was a disaster in our family. My father had cancer and became very unwell. I spent last days of his life with him. All of my experience in the health centre and hospital helped me to care for him. In my medical training I had learned medical knowledge and skills. In my massage training I had learned  about patience and unconditional love. All of this knowledge and experience helped me at this time.

After the death of my father, I chose massage as my main career. I opened my massage room in the city of Dnipro. I have been giving massage since 2007.

I believe that each person is like an interesting and valuable book which can be studied, indefinitely. I find people so interesting.

I worked with some clients for a long time. This enabled me to watch changes in their body. Many clients became like family to me.

I lived and worked in a big city. In the city many people had very active lives but with a lot of stress. Also, many people suffered from the difficulties of sitting for long periods behind a computer. Many people were looking for  solutions to relieve stress. My massage and SPA procedures helped people to feel significant improvement and restoration of strength. But prevention is better than treatment!

and so to Leeds

I arrived in Leeds as a result of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian military.  It was very dangerous to stay in Ukraine. My sister was pregnant at the time. I decided to support her and leave with her.  We learned that the UK had opened it’s heart and it’s homes for people from Ukraine so we came to the city of Leeds to a beautiful family on the sponsor program “Homes for Ukraine”. We were supported by the family and we lived very glad and grateful to all who were not indifferent to us.

I accompanied my sister and supported her during her pregnancy.

Looking for a job I was lucky to get acquainted with the team in Phoenix. I feel at home at Phoenix. I believe that the main thing is the environment with which I grow. It is very important for me to feel true openness and sincerity. I found this in the Phoenix team of people who love their business.  They are selfless and full of love.

For me this is an important experience which I get in Phoenix. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to do my favorite business and help people who really need it. I was lucky to do massage as I did.

I am grateful for your acquaintance!”

By Olga Malyk

We are also very grateful. Olga is a brilliant massage therapist, and her medical knowledge helps her to work with a range of clients, some of whom have complex medical needs.

Here’s what some of Olga’s clients have said:

“I thought it was brilliant and I would come again and recommend x” Sheryl – Deep tissue massage

“I think it may have been the best massage I’ve ever had” Ines – Back care massage

“Really friendly and comfortable atmosphere. Olga is terrific. I have not felt so straight for years. She finds all the niggles and works on them. Hands like furnaces. Terrific!!”  Margaret – Deep tissue massage

“Olha gives wonderful massages and I always leave feeling great” Stacey – Deep

“My massage was very, very good. The massage therapist was outstanding with her technique. Helen – Deep tissue massage

If you want to book in with Olga, book online here or call us on 0113 2340818 to speak to a human!

Phoenix Health & Wellbeing is a charitable social enterprise.  By coming to us for a treatment you are helping people who have chronic health issues and low incomes. We use the proceeds of your treatment to subsidise those who would not otherwise be able to access our therapies. Roughly £4 to every £10 spent with us will go to help others.

Find out more about Phoenix Health and Wellbeing here

Opening times:

Monday to Thursday from 10:00 to 20:00

Friday and Saturday from 10:00 to 16:00

Sunday closed.