Published: 28 November 2023
Physiotherapy alumna, Kat Suchet has created a physiotherapy-led functional fitness business for pregnant and postpartum mothers called Hatch Athletic. As Kat explains, the business initially came about owing to a dearth of training options when she herself was pregnant.
I hit a brick wall
“Hatch happened because there simply wasn’t enough out there when I became pregnant with my first baby. I was taking my CrossFit quite seriously at the time, training five to six times a week, many double days, coaching CrossFit alongside and found in pregnancy that I hit a brick wall. I’d been used to being so physically capable, and I felt quite alone without enough formal guidance for exercise in pregnancy and, as it turned out, postpartum too.
- Kat Suchet, Physiotherapy alumna -
“There were generic guidelines around general fitness, but there really wasn’t much out there for athletic women who love to train hard and lift heavy, so I decided to create Hatch Athletic.
"We support athletes to stay as active as possible through their pregnancies and postpartum with a large community, education/courses, advice and training programmes.”
Physiotherapy degree was pivotal
Explaining the journey from St George’s to creating Hatch Athletic, Kat continues:
“When I graduated from St George’s in 2011, I did my Junior rotations at St George’s Hospital. I then worked in paediatrics for some time, and worked in a combination of neurology and musculoskeletal work for London NHS trusts, The Portland in London and also the Children’s Trust in Tadworth in Surrey.
- Kat Suchet, Physiotherapy alumna -
“My partner and I relocated to Australia in 2018 - my physiotherapy degree was pivotal in being able to emigrate and work there visa-wise. When I became pregnant soon after we arrived, I developed a special interest in women’s and pelvic health. I began working and collaborating with women’s health physiotherapists in the field of education and research with athletic women in particular.
The hard work is paying off
“I was very fortunate to work at a very forward thinking clinic in Sydney where they were conducting their own pioneering research. A lot of our education and development was taught by some of the most well respected women’s health physiotherapists in the industry. To say the learning curve was steep would be an understatement! We moved back to the UK earlier this year in 2023 and I have now set up my own clinic in Wiltshire. I continue to run Hatch Athletic - which is now thriving - from the UK"
“Starting a new business is not without its challenges. The start was very slow and I guess it can feel a bit demoralising at first. We’ve grown organically, with little to no advertising, so it’s taken time for it to take off. You’ve got to keep chipping away at it every day. I believed in the product and knew that there was a need for it which helped a lot. Now it has taken off and all the hard work is paying off.”
- Kat Suchet, Physiotherapy alumna -
The best decision I've ever made
Reflecting on the role of St George’s in her professional career Kat says:
To study physiotherapy and to do it in London with St George’s was the best decision I’ve ever made. It was an incredibly practical course, the tutors were fabulous and my life - including where we have lived and my ability to create my own business - has been completely down to that decision I made 13 years ago.
- Kat Suchet, Physiotherapy alumna -
"The Dissection Room room, the practical components and being able to work in the place I’d trained, all made it a perfect place to study and qualify as a physiotherapist. I’m so proud of my St George’s degree."
Learn more about Hatch Athletic.