loading . . . INTERVIEW: Queer Brighton-based BreatheÂź founder and proud KatyKat Matt Sparkes on HBOT, wellness, red light therapy and his dream Brighton Pride headliner <p>Ladies and gentleman, theys and thems, welcome to the <strong>Brighton & Hove</strong> residents' community corner series celebrating our cityâs bold drag artists, boundary breaking performers and a new category unlocked for 2026: Brighton & Hove based queer/LGBTQ+ owned businesses.
In 2025 I decided that I wanted to create a series that goes beyond the glam with our legendary, local queer performers (and now queer owned businesses too) so we can all get to know them more because like <strong>Lady Gaga</strong> said on <em>ARTPOP</em>, "Do you wanna see the girl who lives behind the aura?" so erm, why not?!</p><p>This week, weâre joined by the lovely Matt Sparkes, founder of <a href="https://www.breathe-hbot.com/" rel="noreferrer">Breathe Hyperbarics</a>, based at the <strong>Lady Bee Enterprise Centre</strong> in <strong>Southwick </strong>and<strong> </strong>the<strong> UK</strong>âs first hyperbaric healing club, making advanced recovery a way of life. </p><p>If this is your first time stumbling across my centrestage series and you want to catch up on previous interviews, don't panic hun-catch up <a href="https://www.scenemag.co.uk/tag/centrestage/" rel="noreferrer">HERE</a>.</p><p>If youâre looking to put your hard earned money where your queer mouth is then youâre in the right place. I think supporting queer/LGBTQ+ owned businesses is a statement of solidarity. These businesses often operate at the intersection of creativity, resilience and community, bringing fresh perspectives while navigating unique challenges. Their success strengthens our community economically and helps pave the way for future queer entrepreneurs. Beyond LGBTQ+ History Month or Pride month, these businesses deserve our ongoing support all year round. Their vision and innovation enrich our lives and challenge the status quo and Breathe is an exceptional queer owned business that deserves your attention</p><p>Next week I'll be yakking with drag artist and performer, award winning activist, and creative director <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lady.red.velvet" rel="noreferrer"><strong>Lady Red Velvet</strong></a> but it's all eyes on <strong>Matthew Sparkes</strong> right now so let's dive in head first!đ€żđ</p><hr /><p>DALEYPOP: Oh heyyy Matt, can you take our readers through a day in the life as the founder of the UK's first hyperbaric healing club?</p><p>MATT SPARKES: Hey Daley! My day always starts peacefully. As soon as I wake up, I put my <strong>Therabody</strong> eye goggles on for a temple massage, then try to see the sunrise before looking at any screens. Weâre lucky to live somewhere with gorgeous walks right on the doorstep. Then Iâll come home, meditate or stretch, head to the gym, eat as much as possible and go to work. Thatâs where the peace stops. I donât think itâs possible to run a wellness brand and fully embody wellness all day. From the moment I walk into Breathe, Iâm spinning twenty plates, answering emails, solving problems and suddenly itâs 7pm. Then I head home and cook. I love cooking. I talk a lot on social media about my low-UPF diet and cooking with ingredients my great-grandparents would recognise. I try to sleep early, but running a business means your brain never really switches off.</p><p>DALEYPOP: I can only imagine, for our readers who might not have heard of Breathe or what HBOT actually is, can you introduce Breathe and tell us what you offer?</p><p>MATT SPARKES: Weâre a wellness brand called Breathe, and our mission is to help regulate the nervous system using therapies like Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Red Light Therapy, brainwave stimulation, breathwork, IV therapy and blood testing. </p><blockquote class="kg-blockquote-alt">Humanity feels anxious, tired and overstimulated right now. </blockquote><p>HBOT has been around for centuries and is grounded in gas laws and science, much of it developed through deep-sea diving research. Weâre an oxygen-dependent species, and modern life often leaves parts of the body under-oxygenated, which is linked to inflammation, fatigue and poor recovery. In HBOT, you enter a pressurised chamber where oxygen dissolves more efficiently into the blood plasma, allowing oxygen to reach areas where circulation is poor and support recovery processes.</p>
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569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></svg></div><div style="padding-top:8px"> <div style="color:#3897f0;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-weight:550;line-height:18px">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding:12.5% 0"></div> <div style="display:flex;flex-direction:row;margin-bottom:14px;align-items:center"><div> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;height:12.5px;width:12.5px;transform:translateX(0px) translateY(7px)"></div> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;height:12.5px;transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px);width:12.5px;flex-grow:0;margin-right:14px;margin-left:2px"></div> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;height:12.5px;width:12.5px;transform:translateX(9px) translateY(-18px)"></div></div><div style="margin-left:8px"> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;flex-grow:0;height:20px;width:20px"></div> <div style="width:0;height:0;border-top:2px solid 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<p>DALEYPOP: Oh wow, is HBOT safe and are there potential side effects?</p><p>MATT SPARKES: HBOT is very safe when delivered correctly by trained professionals. The industry in the UK isnât fully regulated yet, so anyone can technically buy a chamber and operate one, which is why standards matter. While most people can use HBOT safely, there are conditions where it isnât suitable, which is why consultations are so important. Our team are trained through the <a href="https://www.ibum.org/" rel="noreferrer"><strong>International Board of Undersea Medicine</strong></a> and we operate with strict protocols. The most common issues relate to pressure changes affecting ears or lungs, usually if someone already struggles with pressure when flying or diving. These are things we screen for beforehand. Overall, HBOT is low risk when done properly and tailored to the individual.</p><p>DALEYPOP: You founded Breathe with your partner Joe, right?! Whatâs it like working with your other half?</p><p>MATT SPARKES: Joe is my partner in life and business. Some days I donât know how we do it, other days it feels like our biggest strength. Weâve been together nearly four years. Running a business together brings pressure and tension at times but we still end most days smiling together. </p>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background:#FFF;border:0;border-radius:3px;box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15);margin:1px;max-width:540px;min-width:326px;padding:0;width:99.375%;width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px);width:calc(100% - 2px)"><div style="padding:16px"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DT51b8migb_/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background:#FFFFFF;line-height:0;padding:0 0;text-align:center;text-decoration:none;width:100%" target="_blank"> <div style="display:flex;flex-direction:row;align-items:center"> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;flex-grow:0;height:40px;margin-right:14px;width:40px"></div> <div style="display:flex;flex-direction:column;flex-grow:1;justify-content:center"> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;margin-bottom:6px;width:100px"></div> <div 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C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></svg></div><div style="padding-top:8px"> <div style="color:#3897f0;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-weight:550;line-height:18px">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding:12.5% 0"></div> <div style="display:flex;flex-direction:row;margin-bottom:14px;align-items:center"><div> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;height:12.5px;width:12.5px;transform:translateX(0px) translateY(7px)"></div> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;height:12.5px;transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px);width:12.5px;flex-grow:0;margin-right:14px;margin-left:2px"></div> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;height:12.5px;width:12.5px;transform:translateX(9px) translateY(-18px)"></div></div><div style="margin-left:8px"> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;flex-grow:0;height:20px;width:20px"></div> <div style="width:0;height:0;border-top:2px solid transparent;border-left:6px solid #f4f4f4;border-bottom:2px solid transparent;transform:translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left:auto"> <div style="width:0px;border-top:8px solid #F4F4F4;border-right:8px solid transparent;transform:translateY(16px)"></div> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;flex-grow:0;height:12px;width:16px;transform:translateY(-4px)"></div> <div style="width:0;height:0;border-top:8px solid #F4F4F4;border-left:8px solid transparent;transform:translateY(-4px) translateX(8px)"></div></div></div> <div style="display:flex;flex-direction:column;flex-grow:1;justify-content:center;margin-bottom:24px"> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;margin-bottom:6px;width:224px"></div> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;width:144px"></div></div></a><p 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<p>Breathe grew much faster than we expected so itâs all felt like a bit of a whirlwind. We previously ran an online business together which gave us the freedom to travel and felt a lot easier, whereas Breathe is very physical and hands on but itâs incredibly rewarding. The stories we hear and the people we meet make it emotional at times. Weâve built a really beautiful community.</p><p>DALEYPOP: What inspired you to launch Breathe?</p><p>MATT SPARKES: Breathe came from my own health journey, living with Crohnâs disease since my teens. Hyperbaric Oxygen dramatically changed my life, but everywhere I found in the UK charged ÂŁ80-ÂŁ150 per hour which isnât realistic when therapy needs to be consistent. That pricing meant HBOT was mostly used by elite athletes or wealthy clients. We came in with memberships that brought sessions down to around ÂŁ25 an hour, which was a huge gamble at the time. People told us it wouldnât work, but weâre now over 15,000 members later with expansions underway and franchising launching.</p><blockquote class="kg-blockquote-alt">I essentially built the place I needed when I was sick. Iâm autistic, and the sensory environment plays a huge role in healing for me and many others. Hospitals have incredible staff, but healing is hard in harsh lighting, plastic chairs and clinical spaces. Breathe is the opposite. Plants, natural light, calm spaces, somewhere you feel seen and cared for.</blockquote><p>DALEYPOP: Sounds gorgeous, can you tell us more about Red Light Therapy?</p><p>MATT SPARKES: I could talk about Red Light Therapy all day! It pairs beautifully with HBOT and is especially useful in the UK where we lack sunlight. Our cells need energy, and mitochondria, the energy producers in our cells, drive almost everything in the body. Red light therapy supports those systems. At Breathe we have a photobiomodulation bed called Spectrum with over 42,000 LEDs and multiple wavelengths to support muscle recovery, skin health and nervous system regulation. Itâs like getting a safe, restorative sun boost in 15 minutes.</p>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background:#FFF;border:0;border-radius:3px;box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15);margin:1px;max-width:540px;min-width:326px;padding:0;width:99.375%;width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px);width:calc(100% - 2px)"><div style="padding:16px"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DS2pyz9ip-s/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background:#FFFFFF;line-height:0;padding:0 0;text-align:center;text-decoration:none;width:100%" target="_blank"> <div style="display:flex;flex-direction:row;align-items:center"> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;flex-grow:0;height:40px;margin-right:14px;width:40px"></div> <div style="display:flex;flex-direction:column;flex-grow:1;justify-content:center"> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;margin-bottom:6px;width:100px"></div> <div 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569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></svg></div><div style="padding-top:8px"> <div style="color:#3897f0;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-weight:550;line-height:18px">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding:12.5% 0"></div> <div style="display:flex;flex-direction:row;margin-bottom:14px;align-items:center"><div> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;height:12.5px;width:12.5px;transform:translateX(0px) translateY(7px)"></div> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;height:12.5px;transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px);width:12.5px;flex-grow:0;margin-right:14px;margin-left:2px"></div> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;height:12.5px;width:12.5px;transform:translateX(9px) translateY(-18px)"></div></div><div style="margin-left:8px"> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;flex-grow:0;height:20px;width:20px"></div> <div style="width:0;height:0;border-top:2px solid transparent;border-left:6px solid #f4f4f4;border-bottom:2px solid transparent;transform:translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left:auto"> <div style="width:0px;border-top:8px solid #F4F4F4;border-right:8px solid transparent;transform:translateY(16px)"></div> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;flex-grow:0;height:12px;width:16px;transform:translateY(-4px)"></div> <div style="width:0;height:0;border-top:8px solid #F4F4F4;border-left:8px solid transparent;transform:translateY(-4px) translateX(8px)"></div></div></div> <div style="display:flex;flex-direction:column;flex-grow:1;justify-content:center;margin-bottom:24px"> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;margin-bottom:6px;width:224px"></div> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;width:144px"></div></div></a><p style="color:#c9c8cd;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:17px;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:8px;overflow:hidden;padding:8px 0 7px;text-align:center;text-overflow:ellipsis;white-space:nowrap"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DS2pyz9ip-s/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color:#c9c8cd;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;line-height:17px;text-decoration:none" target="_blank">A post shared by BreatheÂź (@breathehyperbarics)</a></p></div></blockquote>
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<p>DALEYPOP: Changing the subject for a second but I have to say Iâm so sorry about Jimmy, he was so clearly loved! Do you think you'll ever get another dog?</p><p>MATT SPARKES: Thank you. Jimmy was huge in every sense. Not just physically, but in personality. He felt like an old soul. He was with us everywhere, at meetings, dinners, bedtime. He was our child. Losing him nearly destroyed us and I still get upset about it every day. Grief doesnât disappear. I canât imagine getting another dog yet because he wasnât just a dog, he was our whole world. One day though weâd love to run a dog orphanage somewhere with lots of street dogs. There will definitely be dogs in our future, just not yet.</p>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background:#FFF;border:0;border-radius:3px;box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15);margin:1px;max-width:540px;min-width:326px;padding:0;width:99.375%;width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px);width:calc(100% - 2px)"><div style="padding:16px"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DPEyRUkjEzN/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background:#FFFFFF;line-height:0;padding:0 0;text-align:center;text-decoration:none;width:100%" target="_blank"> <div style="display:flex;flex-direction:row;align-items:center"> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;flex-grow:0;height:40px;margin-right:14px;width:40px"></div> <div style="display:flex;flex-direction:column;flex-grow:1;justify-content:center"> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;margin-bottom:6px;width:100px"></div> <div 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C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></svg></div><div style="padding-top:8px"> <div style="color:#3897f0;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-weight:550;line-height:18px">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding:12.5% 0"></div> <div style="display:flex;flex-direction:row;margin-bottom:14px;align-items:center"><div> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;height:12.5px;width:12.5px;transform:translateX(0px) translateY(7px)"></div> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;height:12.5px;transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px);width:12.5px;flex-grow:0;margin-right:14px;margin-left:2px"></div> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;height:12.5px;width:12.5px;transform:translateX(9px) translateY(-18px)"></div></div><div style="margin-left:8px"> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;flex-grow:0;height:20px;width:20px"></div> <div style="width:0;height:0;border-top:2px solid transparent;border-left:6px solid #f4f4f4;border-bottom:2px solid transparent;transform:translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left:auto"> <div style="width:0px;border-top:8px solid #F4F4F4;border-right:8px solid transparent;transform:translateY(16px)"></div> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;flex-grow:0;height:12px;width:16px;transform:translateY(-4px)"></div> <div style="width:0;height:0;border-top:8px solid #F4F4F4;border-left:8px solid transparent;transform:translateY(-4px) translateX(8px)"></div></div></div> <div style="display:flex;flex-direction:column;flex-grow:1;justify-content:center;margin-bottom:24px"> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;margin-bottom:6px;width:224px"></div> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;width:144px"></div></div></a><p style="color:#c9c8cd;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:17px;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:8px;overflow:hidden;padding:8px 0 7px;text-align:center;text-overflow:ellipsis;white-space:nowrap"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DPEyRUkjEzN/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color:#c9c8cd;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;line-height:17px;text-decoration:none" target="_blank">A post shared by Matthew Sparkes (@thematthewmethod)</a></p></div></blockquote>
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<p>DALEYPOP: I know youâre a fellow KatyKat, what are your thoughts on <em>bandaids</em> and are you going to any of her (<strong>Katy Perry</strong>'s) summer shows this year?!</p><p>MATT SPARKES: Huge fan. I followed Katy back on <strong>MySpace</strong> just before <em>I Kissed A Girl</em> came out, so itâs been wild watching her career unfold. I love <em>bandaids</em>. It nods back to the sound that made me fall in love with her music. Iâm hoping to catch her at a <strong>European</strong> festival this year although time isnât on my side. I did catch the <strong>Lifetimes Tour </strong>though and despite what social media says, it was a blast.</p><figure class="kg-card kg-image-card"><img src="https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/02/image-11.png" class="kg-image" alt="" loading="lazy" width="1440" height="959" srcset="https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/size/w600/2026/02/image-11.png 600w, https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/size/w1000/2026/02/image-11.png 1000w, https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/02/image-11.png 1440w" /></figure><p>DALEYPOP: I hope you catch her this year! Riiiigiht back to Breathe, I know you're passionate about supplements and what we put in our bodies, do you have any recommendations for someone aka me preparing and training for the <a href="https://brightonhalfmarathon.com/" rel="noreferrer"><strong>Brighton Half Marathon</strong></a>?</p><p>MATT SPARKES: Data matters. The supplement market is overwhelming right now, and people often take things they donât need while ignoring deficiencies they actually have. Testing first makes sense. Many people in the UK are low in vitamin D, and iron or calcium can also be common issues, but ideally, get blood work done or speak to a specialist for personalised advice. Food, hydration and sleep still matter most. For marathon prep, focus on long lasting energy, recovery and electrolyte balance.</p><p>DALEYPOP: Brighton (& Hove) has such a strong food scene, are there any local restaurants you would always recommend? </p><p>MATT SPARKES: This question hurts because I stopped eating out at the start of the year but Brighton has incredible restaurants. Iâm a simple guy, I love grilled meats, garlic, salt, olive oil and roasted vegetables. So places like <a href="https://www.instagram.com/embers_restaurant_" rel="noreferrer"><strong>Embers</strong></a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kindlingrestaurant" rel="noreferrer"><strong>Kindling</strong></a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/burntorangeuk" rel="noreferrer"><strong>Burnt Orange</strong></a> are favourites. I still eat out as a treat but constantly asking what oil food is cooked in does get you funny looks after a while.</p><p>DALEYPOP: I love asking this one, whoâs your crush of the day?</p><p>MATT SPARKES: Only one celebrity crush since 2006: <strong>Zac Efron</strong>. Always.</p><figure class="kg-card kg-image-card"><img src="https://media.tenor.com/Xn1bn22PV7gAAAAC/salut-les-filles-hey-women.gif" class="kg-image" alt="" loading="lazy" width="498" height="309" /></figure><p>DALEYPOP: Oh you've got taste, Matt! What was the last thing you <strong>Googled</strong>?</p><p>MATT SPARKES: I was planning a driving and hiking trip through the <strong>Big Sur</strong> in <strong>Northern California</strong> for next year. Morbidly, the last thing I checked was how many people have been killed by black bears along those trails. I like to travel prepared.</p><p>DALEYPOP: As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I'm keen to know what Pride means to you?</p><p>MATT SPARKES: Iâll be honest, pride is something I struggled with growing up because I never quite saw myself reflected in the scene. I moved to Brighton in 2022 and went to my first pride in 2024 and it ended up being one of the best days of my life.</p><blockquote class="kg-blockquote-alt">Pride to me means confidence in who you are and celebrating individuality, even when life hasnât always been easy.</blockquote><p>I also think a lot of us, myself included, sometimes look confident on the outside while still figuring things out internally and being honest about that feels important. Pride, for me, is about creating space where we can be both joyful and real at the same time.</p><p>DALEYPOP: Who would you loveee to see headline <a href="https://www.brighton-pride.org/" rel="noreferrer"><strong>Brighton Pride</strong></a>?</p><p>MATT SPARKES: For a headliner Iâd secretly love to see <strong>Hannah Montana</strong> take over <strong>Preston Park</strong>.</p><figure class="kg-card kg-image-card kg-card-hascaption"><img src="https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/02/1000020932.png" class="kg-image" alt="" loading="lazy" width="1536" height="1024" srcset="https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/size/w600/2026/02/1000020932.png 600w, https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/size/w1000/2026/02/1000020932.png 1000w, https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/02/1000020932.png 1536w" /><figcaption><span style="white-space:pre-wrap">đž </span><a href="https://chatgpt.com/" rel="noreferrer"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap">Chat GBT</span></a></figcaption></figure><p>DALEYPOP: Before I let you go, do you have anything else youâd like to share with our readers?!</p><p>MATT SPARKES: If you fancy popping into Breathe and feel like we might be able to help you, mention <strong>Scene Magazine</strong> and weâll throw in a little extra treat! (Nothing dodgy, promise).</p>
<blockquote class="tiktok-embed" style="max-width:605px;min-width:325px"> <section> <a target="_blank" title="@breathehyperbarics" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@breathehyperbarics?refer=embed">@breathehyperbarics</a> What does a diagnostic consultation look like at Breathe?đż This is where your Hyperbaric journey starts. Weâll run a series of checks to understand your baseline health date, so we can build the safest, most effective protocol for you. And yes - thereâs an upgrade coming very soon (the one a lot of you have been asking for)đ©ž Get yourself booked in now at: https://breathe-hbot.com <a title="fyp" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/fyp?refer=embed">#fyp</a> <a title="viral" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/viral?refer=embed">#viral</a> <a title="health" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/health?refer=embed">#health</a> <a title="wellness" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/wellness?refer=embed">#wellness</a> <a title="hbot" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/hbot?refer=embed">#hbot</a> <a target="_blank" title="⏠Deep Meditation Music (528 Hz Meditation Waves) - Oleksandr Chukhlib" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/Deep-Meditation-Music-528-Hz-Meditation-Waves-7157373190447040513?refer=embed">⏠Deep Meditation Music (528 Hz Meditation Waves) - Oleksandr Chukhlib</a> </section> </blockquote> <script async></script>
<div class="kg-card kg-callout-card kg-callout-card-green"><div class="kg-callout-text">To book your first HBOT session click <a href="https://www.breathe-hbot.com/book-hbot" rel="noreferrer">HERE</a> and to book your first Red Light session click <a href="https://www.breathe-hbot.com/book-red-light-therapy" rel="noreferrer">HERE</a>. You can book a tour and a chat too <a href="https://breathebrighton.as.me/schedule/f6884f2f/appointment/88293676/calendar/any?appointmentTypeIds%5B0%5D=88293676&utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnwEaSA6nQhC45K82xunttO0W5lEntdN-LkmQF4ihzKSQD_OW1wi75p4wsnwI_aem_z7bExIcdEhsmklo6PQZC5Q" rel="noreferrer">HERE</a>. If you would like to speak with someone before booking or have any accessibility needs, call Breathe on <b><strong style="white-space:pre-wrap">01273 020314</strong></b> or email <b><strong style="white-space:pre-wrap">[email protected]</strong></b> for more information.</div></div><div class="kg-card kg-callout-card kg-callout-card-green"><div class="kg-callout-text">Sign up for a FREE membership to start or join the discussion below.đđ»A free membership gives you full access to the comment section and more and it's quick, easy and free!</div></div> https://www.scenemag.co.uk/interview-breathe-founder-matt-sparkes/
