Katrina Bell fulfilled her childhood aspiration to become a nurse 27 years ago and has since used her skills in several environments, from aged care to emergency wards and primary-school sick bays to home and district nursing.
Her partner, Travis Laby, worked for 20 years in an industry far removed from the health sector.
But both had been fascinated by and drawn to physical therapies throughout their lives after experiencing their healing benefits firsthand.
Having fallen into sync as romantic partners, their shared desire to help others therapeutically — and naturally — has also seen the pair align in a business sense.
After both retraining for new careers, they opened LaBell Wellness in Shepparton in August, interweaving a smidge of each other’s names to create their clever business brand.
Ms Bell had once considered studying myotherapy before she chose nursing after watching with intrigue as her grandfather used his unique style as a remedial therapist to help his loyal clients from a consulting room in his back shed.
Mr Laby had been fascinated by how a therapist could fix his bung shoulder.
The moment was an epiphany and he felt called to the field of remedial therapy.
“I realised I couldn’t stay working at the (Heinz) factory when I knew I could do something similar,” Mr Laby said.
“I made the bold move to the Gold Coast, studied remedial massage and started my journey.”
When Mr Laby returned to Victoria, the therapist who’d fixed his shoulder offered him a position at his clinic.
“His father was well known for how he could heal people; he even treated Muhammad Ali when he was in Australia,” Mr Laby said.
“Being in that clinic showed me what was possible, but I also wanted to learn more. I wanted to understand why people became so broken.”
Ms Bell said she saw a bit of her grandfather in Mr Laby.
“I started learning total body modification. I ended up in the (United) States in 2018 learning how subtle energies, correct diet and a decent therapist could totally change someone’s existence,” Mr Laby said.
“I’ve created my own style.”
He said the extent of what his therapy could achieve became apparent when he treated an ironman competitor.
“At 38, she was breaking her personal bests,” Mr Laby said.
“Her body and the way she moved completely changed. It created a real desire in me to help athletes as I became part of their goal.”
Ms Bell, a mother of three, had struggled for years with migraines and a bad ‘nurse’s back’ before discovering Bowen therapy.
Impressed by the results on her own body and the impact it had incidentally had on her wellbeing, she decided to study the therapy herself in 2022.
“I'm sure my grandfather would be proud to know someone in the family has his love of healing people with their hands,” Ms Bell said.
Bowen therapy is a form of bodywork for all ages, that uses gentle moves over muscles, tendons and ligaments to help the body relax, reset and repair.
“My youngest client was two weeks old and my eldest is 97,” Ms Bell said.
Ms Bell said her clients usually felt a deep sense of overall relaxation and reported having improved sleep.
“Bowen is safe during pregnancy and I love doing baby Bowen; there are so many health benefits for babies and mums,” she said.
Ms Bell said the 45-minute therapy sessions could be done while the client was wearing light clothing and, if they were unable to lay down, it could be performed while seated.
Earlier this year, Ms Bell completed studies in halotherapy (salt therapy) and is currently studying intravenous vitamin therapy to offer both services at LaBell Wellness.
“Shepparton's only salt room closed in February and I was saddened as my daughter and I loved going there and it gave her amazing relief from hay fever and sinusitis,” she said.
“Trav and I drove to Newcastle to purchase our halogenerator and so began our journey to creating our clinic around the salt room.
“We look forward to bringing many more wonderful therapies to our clinic in time, including an infrared sauna, ice plunge and more.”
Mr Laby said LaBell was a perfect way to bring medical and alternative therapies together.
“A nurse of almost 30 years and an alternative healer, what a team,” he said.
“Our goal is not only to treat the individual but help families to be stronger and healthier, thereby creating a better community for us all.”
LaBell Wellness is open during business hours on weekdays, but after-hours sessions are available on Tuesday and Thursday nights or Saturday mornings by appointment.
For more information, visit the LaBell Wellness Facebook page.