About me

Recovery is a partnership — who you trust with your journey makes all the difference

Hi! I’m Angelica, also known as Coach AJ

My background

I’m a UK-registered Physiotherapist and Personal Trainer, and the founder of Beyond Baseline. I divide my time between working in the NHS in Cardiac Rehabilitation and supporting people privately across Greater Manchester and online.

My journey into physiotherapy wasn’t linear — it began with a First-Class degree in Sports and Exercise Science from Oxford Brookes University, where I developed a fascination with how movement transforms health and quality of life. Along the way, I trained as a CIMSPA-registered Personal Trainer, gaining hands-on experience with people of all ages and abilities.

That path led me to Nuffield Health, where I spent several years as a Rehabilitation Specialist. I worked with people living with long-term conditions — from chronic joint pain and Long Covid to Diabetes and heart disease — helping them rebuild strength, confidence, and independence through tailored exercise and health coaching. It was there that I realised I wanted to go further — to understand the why behind movement and recovery.

Completing my MSc in Physiotherapy at Manchester Metropolitan University brought everything together — my love of exercise science, coaching, and compassionate care. But it was the people I worked with, like Lisa, who truly shaped how I practice.

Angelica Drobny in a graduation gown and cap, standing outside the John Henry Brookes Building, Oxford Brookes Universit,y smiling at the camera.
Angelica Drobny with braided hair writing on a clipboard during a workout session.
Angelica Drobny with braided hair, wearing a baseball cap and athletic shirt, smiling outdoors near a small waterfall surrounded by greenery.

When I first met Lisa, one of my previous patients, she could barely make it up a flight of stairs. She’d spent years putting everyone else first, living with constant pain, and had lost confidence in her body. Week by week, she began to change — moving better, walking taller, and rediscovering her independence.

“This time last year I was told I was bone on bone in my right hip and left knee. I couldn’t walk, drive, stand to make a meal… But now I’m walking up stairs, swimming, going on holiday — I feel like I’m getting the old me back.” – Lisa

That moment stayed with me. It reminded me that physiotherapy isn’t just about recovery — it’s about helping people rebuild their lives, confidence, and sense of self.

That’s what Beyond Baseline is all about: creating lasting change, not just short-term fixes.

My approach is holistic, evidence-based, and meets you where you are. Rehabilitation shouldn’t stop at “getting back to normal” — it should build confidence, reduce risk of future setbacks, and help you feel stronger and more in control of your health.

Whether we’re working through hands-on treatment, tailored exercise, coaching conversations or behaviour change strategies, my goal is always the same: to support you in moving better, feeling stronger, and thriving beyond your baseline.

My Approach in 3 Values

Listen First
Your goals, story, and challenges matter. I see you as a person first — not just a patient or client. You’ll never catch me clock-watching during our sessions. Your experience deserves time, attention, and care.

Keep It Real
No fads. No fluff. Just practical, down-to-earth support that fits your life. I use evidence-based practice — not because it sounds good, but because it means you get care that’s proven to be effective and clinically sound.

Think Long-Term
This isn’t just about “getting better” — it’s about staying better. I want you to feel confident, informed, and independent. If you finished working with me and felt lost, I’d feel like I hadn’t done my job. My mission is to equip you with tools and knowledge to keep moving forward — even without me.

Side profile of Angelica Drobny with dark hair tied in a bun, wearing a green jacket, outdoors with blurred trees in the background.

Who I Help

I work with people who want more than a quick fix — those ready to rebuild, grow, and take charge of their health.

That might be:

  • Adults recovering from illness or injury who don’t just want to “get back” to normal, but to feel stronger than before.

  • People managing long-term conditions — like fibromyalgia, arthritis, diabetes, or Long Covid — who need realistic, sustainable support rooted in evidence and compassion.

  • Older adults looking to stay active, independent, and confident in daily life.

  • Women navigating perimenopause or menopause, who want to use movement to support their changing bodies, reduce symptoms, and protect long-term health.

  • Anyone ready to prevent future issues, reduce health risks, and build strength that lasts.

Whether you're returning to work, hobbies, or simply walking up the stairs with ease — you're not just recovering, you're moving beyond your baseline.

Two women are posing for a photo indoors, sitting on the floor with purple yoga mats behind them. One woman is wearing a red and white shirt, glasses, and a black headwrap, and is smiling. The other woman is wearing a black athletic jacket with green accents and a company logo, smiling at the camera.

My Why

I started Beyond Baseline because I saw a gap between traditional rehab and real-life health. Too often, people are discharged from physio once they’ve returned to their “baseline” — but what about building resilience, reducing the risk of setbacks, and actually thriving?

I wanted to create a service that bridges that gap, blending rehab with prevention and long-term lifestyle change.

Angelica Drobny as a young child and her grandfather sitting together, both smiling. The man is wearing glasses and a dark T-shirt, and the child is dressed in a colorful, polka-dot jacket and hat.
Angelica Drobny lifting a barbell overhead during a weightlifting competition, with banners and equipment in the background.

A Little More About Me

When I’m not working, you’ll usually find me…

  • At the CrossFit gym

  • Out in nature

  • Laughing with friends or family over the latest internet video

  • Cooking up a protein-packed storm

  • Spending time with animals

  • Dancing listening to music

  • Planning the next adventure abroad

Angelica Drobny and her mother smiling outdoors on a cloudy day, with grassy fields in the background. One woman has red hair and is wearing a black jacket with orange straps, and the other has blonde hair in a green hooded jacket.
Angelica Drobny standing in an outdoor riding arena, holding a lead rope attached to a dark horse with a saddle and bridle, with trees and overcast sky in the background.
Angelica Drobny with sunglasses and a gray backpack standing on a dirt trail in a green mountainous landscape with cloudy sky.

Do we sound like a good match?

Explore my services here.

Still unsure?

Feel free to fill out the enquiry form so we can find out.