About Us

Why Do I Coach?

Because I love fitness, sport and competing. From delivering structured running sessions to the YourGym Kirkham clients, to teaching leisure cyclists to ride one handed for the first time, kicking a ball with my 8-year-old whilst chatting about her school day, to entering a TLI 50-mile road race at the age of 48. The joy I and others get from exercising, training, and competing is something that inspires me to motivate others. It’s an ever-developing passion and I love to see new and old faces just enjoying these experiences. I feel privileged to be a coach and have been inspired by other passionate coaches throughout the process.

How It Started

From 18 years old I knew I wanted a career in fitness, health, and sport, and I have chosen a path to excel in my 28-year career. I studied Sport and Human Biology A Levels which lead onto a BSc in Sports and Exercise Science at Sheffield Hallam University.  After graduating in 2000 I have coached many athletes in both indoor and outdoor settings, motivating them and ensuring they achieve their goals. I am a great believer in constantly developing my own knowledge and qualifications (see below). I am also fortunate to work at the University of Central Lancashire where I can access elite level facilities and cutting-edge sports science research. I also coach the aspiring UCLan Cycling Team who compete in the British Universities & Colleges Sport competitions nationwide.

The Coach

I am qualified to the highest level – British Cycling Level 3. Few coaches have qualified to Level 3 as it takes numerous years to complete and requires successfully passing of many specific units. I can deliver high level technical skills sessions, create individual periodised training plans, tactical analysis and sports psychology. 

 

As an England Athletics Coach in Running Fitness and Run Leader I can plan and deliver linked sessions both in a group format and 1:1. Sessions may focus on technical skills and the various aspects of boosting running fitness.

 

As a graduate in Sports and Exercise Science and having trained athletes for decades, I have a thorough understanding of human anatomy and the application of training through cycling, running, strength, and full body conditioning. I am also qualified in Sports Massage Therapy and deliver services at YourGym Kirkham.

 

I can take anthropometric measurements including body fat and conduct other physical testing protocol. My rounded knowledge and experience of these sports, training principles and physiology is not something that can be learnt in a 6-week online course, but over 2 decades of learning, understanding individual athletes and real-life practical delivery.

So why choose me?

‘Not only passionate, but it will also be difficult to find a more highly qualified and experienced fitness professional, sports coach and successful amateur athlete.’

The Athlete

I predominantly played football until my mid 20’s and my passion for cycling and running only started when I was 23. Initially I had modest aspirations of becoming a 2nd category racing cyclist and hopefully to win a race. Not being the fastest, strongest, or lightest rider I listened and took advice from experienced cyclists and coaches to develop tactical and technical skills to just ‘get round’. The ability to survive and ride smart ensured I positioned well and be at the pointy end of races. Roll on nearly 2 decades and I have since held a British Cycling Elite License for numerous years, raced in Belgium 2013-15, been TLI National Masters Champion 2016 and 2024, competed at the UCI Amateur World Championships in Albi 2017 and won over 20 races in between. In 2016 and starting a family meant I couldn’t justify training 20 hours a week on the bike. Being ‘time-crunched’ meant I had to find a quick way of keeping fit, so I decided to take up running. This in turn lead me to start competing in Duathlons (run-bike-run). Taking wins at the Snowman 2017, Slateman and Sandman 2018 plus the Adventure Championships in 2022 spurred my motivation further, and I won the English Duathlon Masters Championship title in the same year.

 

I am racing again in 2025, lining up in E12 races, taking on HYROX and still going for a 16-minute 5km at the ripe old age of 48!

 

#notdeadyet

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

  • BSc Hons Sports and Exercise Science 2:1
  • A Level Sports Studies and Human Biology

 

RUNNING QUALIFICATIONS

  • England Athletics Run Leader
  • England Athletics Coach in Running Fitness

CYCLING QUALIFICATIONS

  • British Cycling L3 – Road, Plan and Prescribe Training
  • British Cycling L2 – Road – Discipline Specific Unit
  • British Cycling L2 – Coaching Cycling
  • British Cycling L1 – Ride Leaders Award

 

FITNESS QUALIFICATIONS

  • NVQ L2 Fitness Instruction   
  • Pure Lifting 
  • Lifestyle and Fitness Assessments
  • Technogym ARKE Functional Movement 
  • Core Stability 
  • Spinning and Boxercise Instructor
  • FA Management and Treatment of Sports Injuries
  • L3 Sports Massage Therapy

HEALTH AND SAFETY COURSES

  • First Aid at Work and AED
  • IOSH Managing Safely
  • Safeguarding Level 2


RESULTS

  • National Masters TLI Criterium Champion 24
  • English Masters Duathlon Champion 22
  • National Masters TLI RR Champion 16
  • Club Road Race Champion Wesham Road Runners 22
  • Criterium wins at UCLan Sports Arena, Salt Ayre, Litherland, Rhyll, Shrewsbury.
  • Road Race wins at Pimbo, Bashall Eaves, Audlem
  • Duathlon wins at Anglesey, Llanberis, Betsy Cowed and Darlington
  • Running 10k wins at Garstang and Lytham Road Race Champion Wesham RR 22