Kate Markland: 20 Years Physiotherapy. 24+ Months Separation. One Principle.
When people feel like they matter, transformation becomes inevitable.
She proved it with 5,000 patients. Then state intervention separated her from her son Gabriel. One hour weekly. She proved it again.
Now that principle serves three communities: schools, families, and mission-led founders.
As Featured In
PROOF 1:Â THE HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION (2000-2020)
Kate qualified as physiotherapist in 2001. Built four clinics across Gloucestershire. Treated 5,000+ patients. Won Business Person of the Year.
The pattern across 5,000 patients:
When someone feels heard, healing accelerates. Not placebo. Measurable biological difference.
Kate spent 20 years observing this. She didn't know this principle would later preserve her connection with Gabriel, achieve 100% engagement in schools, and help founders build sustainable businesses.
But she was learning the foundation.
Business Person of the Year (Cirencester Chamber of Commerce). Four award-winning clinics. Successful exit (2020).
PROOF 2:Â THE SEPARATION (2023-Present)
State intervention. Legal proceedings. Court orders.
Kate and Gabriel separated. 24 months as of January 2026. Live less than a mile apart. Cannot be in same room. One hour weekly via FaceTime.
Every Friday, 7pm, for 2years:
Kate asked: "What story do you want to hear?"
Gabriel spoke. Kate typed his exact words. No corrections. No improvements.
Result: The Adventures of Gabriel became #1 international bestseller. Co-authored by 10-year-old during separation.
The discovery:Â If mattering preserved connection under extreme constraint, it works anywhere.
PROOF 3:Â EDUCATION (2025-Present)
Tom Hirst tested it. Dixon Manningham Primary, Bradford. 60 children.
Results: 100% positive engagement. Zero behavioural incidents. Even reluctant writers asked "Can we do it again tomorrow?" (Featured: BBC News)
Expansion: 465 children across 9 schools. Same results maintained.
Research: Classic Grounded Theory study. 318 children interviewed. Seven Transformations identified. Presented to British Psychological Society (2025). Evidence submitted to UK Parliamentary Committee (2025).
What Kate proved: "Mattering" isn't theory. It's replicable methodology with measurable outcomes.
PROOF 4: BUSINESS (2023-Present)
While navigating separation, Kate built:
- International bestselling book series
- Research-validated methodology
- StoryQuest business (9 schools, expanding internationally)
- Policy-level engagement (Parliamentary testimony)
Most founders couldn't do one during personal crisis. Kate did multiple.
Why? Crisis clarified what mattered. What mattered became the focus.
Not despite crisis. Through it.
WHO KATE SERVES TODAY
Same wisdom. Three applications.
It was amazing, you feel proud and free!”
– Student, StoryQuest™ Workshop
From the very start of the session every pupil was engaged and couldn't wait to get started, pupils felt empowered and that they could use their own voice.
Taking away boundaries of grammatical perfection freed up creativity.”Â
– Mrs Light : Quality of Education Leader, StoryQuest™ Workshop
Now my brain feels better after I let my imagination out.”
– Student, StoryQuest™ Workshop
This programme has had a genuinely transformative effect on our pupils’ engagement with reading and writing.
By placing creativity and storytelling at the heart of the process, it has re-ignited a sense of excitement and ownership in literacy that we don’t always see through more traditional approaches.”Â
– Mr Khan, Teacher StoryQuest™ Workshop
It was fun because I got to write what I wanted. I’m hoping I’ll make someone happy if they read my book!”
– Student, StoryQuest™ Workshop
I believed in myself so I could create things I didn’t even know I could do.”Â
– Student, StoryQuest™ Workshop
We sometimes forget about writing for pleasure and what that can do for our kids.
A lot of boys and girls have a fear of the blank page, you can do all the teaching, but they sort of shut down when asked to write a story.
[So] it was a really lovely experience to see them really joyful, talking about their stories they loved it.”Â
– Mr Hirst, Head of English, StoryQuest™ Workshop
Normally the teacher tells us what to do. But this time we were free.”Â
– Student, StoryQuest™ Workshop
Pupils really worked well with their scribe partners, allowing a first draft of their story to be spoken, not written. Pupils also loved giving feedback and adjusting their planning.
I could see throughout the day confidence growing, particularly for previously reluctant writers. Pupils cannot wait to see their published stories and share them across our school community and beyond.”Â
– Mrs Light : Quality of Education Leader, StoryQuest™ Workshop
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I like writing my own story with no rules… I’m looking forward to finishing my story and to make more with only my rules! Not anybody else’s.”Â
– Student, StoryQuest™ Workshop
We’ve particularly noticed how the freedom to imagine, explore, and express ideas without strict constraints has empowered pupils to take risks in their writing and develop confidence in their own voices.
Staff have also responded positively, commenting on the joy and energy pupils bring back to the classroom after participating.”Â
– Mr Khan, Teacher StoryQuest™ Workshop
It made me feel proud and responsible to be able to make my own story without support or a plan.”Â
– Student, StoryQuest™ Workshop
THE HONESTY
Kate doesn't pretend separation is anything but devastating.
24 months without seeing Gabriel. One hour weekly.
People ask: "How do you stay positive?"
Kate's answer: "I'm devastated. But I'm also present AND I'm choosing to show up."
People hire Kate because she tells the truth about what it takes. Then helps you do it anyway.
The Core Truth:
When people feel like they matter, transformation becomes inevitable.
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Background:
- Chartered Physiotherapist (20 years)
- Business Person of the Year
- #1 International Bestselling Co-Author
- Creator, StoryQuest (100% engagement, 465 children)
- Researcher (Classic Grounded Theory, British Psychological Society)
Featured: BBC News, Yorkshire Post, Times Radio, British Psychological Society, UK Parliament, PhysioTimes India, Pakistan Education Review, TEACH Canada
Connect:
- Schools: my-storyquest.com
- Families: theadventuresofgabriel.com
- Founders: katemarkland.com/founders