Meet Sam Richardson
The Founder of BACK TO YOU™.
Hi, I'm Sam.
It's lovely to have you here. I'm the founder of BACK TO YOU, and I'd like to share a little about who I am, the experiences that have shaped me and what inspired me to create BACK TO YOU.
Bringing people, ideas and experiences to life.
With over 25 years of experience across personal development, wellbeing and luxury hospitality, I've spent much of my career working with people – understanding what shapes us, what influences how we see ourselves and how we experience the world around us.
BACK TO YOU™ was created from a belief that living well is about more than simply getting through the day, meeting expectations or doing what we've always done. It's about understanding ourselves, recognising our potential and having the freedom to make choices that feel right for us.
My work brings together professional experience, continued learning and a genuine curiosity about people and what makes us tick. But, above all, I love seeing people recognise what they're capable of – helping them reconnect with who they really are, see themselves differently and realise they are often far more capable and powerful than they give themselves credit for.
Whether I'm working with an individual, a team or an organisation, I want to help create that moment when someone sees new possibilities in themselves or in what they can achieve. Sometimes all it takes is someone to hold up a different mirror.
Understanding people beyond the surface.
I've always been fascinated by the connection between our thoughts, emotions, beliefs and behaviour, and how these influence our confidence, relationships, decisions and overall experience of life. I don't believe people can be understood through a single approach or that the same solution works for everyone.
I'm interested in what lies beneath the surface: the experiences, assumptions and beliefs that influence how we see ourselves, the choices we make and what we believe is possible. This perspective shapes the way I work – taking time to understand the individual, recognise their strengths and inner resources, and bring together different approaches to support their personal development.
Experience across people, practice and hospitality.
My professional journey has taken me from executive recruitment and corporate environments into some of the world's leading luxury hotels, spas and wellbeing brands.
Along the way, I've had the opportunity to work in the UK, London, Cyprus, Bermuda and Canada, taking on different roles in recruitment, business development, spa operations, practitioner training and brand development.
I've worked with international teams, helped develop treatment standards and experiences, and trained practitioners in luxury hospitality settings. I was also part of the development team at House of Kalmar, working as a Brand Trainer and Master Therapist.
These experiences have given me a real appreciation of the details that make an experience memorable – the quality of the interaction, the way people are welcomed and understood, and the care that goes into creating something meaningful.
They have also given me a valuable perspective on the different needs of individuals, guests, teams and organisations.
A Personal Perspective.
My understanding of what it means to live well has also been shaped by my own experiences.
For much of my life, I was the person everyone relied on. Supporting others came naturally, but somewhere along the way I lost sight of myself, putting other people's needs first and my own dreams on hold.
Being diagnosed with Stage 4 endometriosis changed my life in ways I never expected. It brought chronic pain, a hysterectomy and the heartbreaking realisation that I would not have children of my own.
I hadn't chosen to stop and put myself first. The pain made that decision for me.
My recovery gave me the space to grieve, reflect and begin to understand how much my experiences and beliefs had influenced the way I lived. Little by little, I started to reconnect with myself and consider what I really wanted from life.
That period changed my perspective. It made me question why we so often wait until something happens to give ourselves permission to stop, reassess and do things differently.
It was a turning point in my own life and an important part of the thinking behind BACK TO YOU.
Training, Qualifications & Continued Learning.
Over the years, I've continued to develop my knowledge through professional training in cognitive and behavioural coaching, clinical hypnotherapy, NLP, ACT, REBT, EFT, mindfulness, meditation, inner child work, regression, EMDR for hypnotherapists and Reiki.
I'm a full member of the Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT), a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist with the National Guild of Hypnotists (USA), and hold professional insurance within the UK.
I believe continued learning is essential. It allows me to draw on different perspectives and approaches, rather than relying on one particular method or assuming that what works for one person will work for another.
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Supporting deeper awareness of thoughts, emotions, behaviours and the patterns that influence how we experience life.
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Using practical tools to explore thoughts, beliefs and behaviours, helping create greater clarity, awareness and more intentional choices.
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Exploring the connection between our thoughts, language and behaviours to support perspective, communication and personal development.
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Helping people explore what truly matters to them and make choices that feel more aligned with their values.
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Understanding how our beliefs influence our emotions and responses, helping develop healthier perspectives and greater self-awareness.
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Exploring past experiences, emotions and beliefs that may continue to influence how we see ourselves and the world today.
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A mind-body approach that combines emotional awareness with gentle tapping techniques to support relaxation and emotional wellbeing.
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Additional training exploring approaches that support the processing of difficult memories and emotional experiences.
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Complementary practices that support relaxation, balance and a sense of overall wellbeing.
A little more about me.
I'm happiest outdoors – walking through the woods, spending time by the coast or sitting in the garden with a coffee.
I'm also the person who will stop to say hello to a dog before noticing its owner!
Born in Wales and raised in Yorkshire, I've lived in different parts of the world and travelled widely.
I'm endlessly curious about people, different cultures and what makes us think, feel and behave the way we do.
And despite the deeper topics I often work with, I have a great sense of humour and believe laughter and not taking ourselves too seriously are important parts of life.
BACK TO YOU™.
Founded in 2017, BACK TO YOU brings together bespoke personal development and wellbeing experiences for individuals, communities, spas, hotels, retreats, workplaces and organisations.
The work is varied, but the thinking behind it remains the same: helping people reconnect with themselves, recognise their strengths, discover their potential and experience life differently.
Rethinking What It Means to Live Well.