Achievements
Qualifications:
Bsc (hons) Sports Science, Dip FTST, Dip LSOP, CSCS
Clients:
Chris Moyles, Gethin Jones, Ben Shephard, Ricky Wilson, Andi Peters, Andy Goldstein, Noel Clarke and David Haye.
Products Used ZMA®,
MP MAX® True Whey, Recovery XS®,
Omega 3, L-Leucine,
Acetyle L-Carnitine, BCAA,
Glutamine, Exceed.
Key Insight Lift heavy, sprint fast, eat clean, supplement properly
and sleep well.
Sporting Hero Muhammad Ali and my Dad (who was a pro wrestler)
Biography
Growing up with a father who was a professional wrestler, gym equipment was always
around. As all children harbour the desire to emulate their parents it was natural
that I would pick up the old school weights and copy what my dad was doing. Having
such an interest in sport from a young age meant I was able to try my hand at everything
my school and local clubs could offer. From gaining a black belt in Taekwondo to
throwing the discus, hammer and Javelin at National level all resulted out of a
love for participating in sport which originated from lifting weights with my dad.
Questions Answered
Q. Why did you first decide to become a personal trainer/
strength and conditioning coach? A. I’ve always found
something satisfying in learning new skills and gaining new knowledge. My strong
points at school were always Science and Sports, so needless to say my chosen degree
was Sports Science. After which I became a qualified Sports Therapist, dealing in
sports injuries. However being in a treatment room and away from the gym floor soon
took its toll and I moved to becoming a personal trainer. At that time I didn’t
really know what an S&C coach was, but I knew I wanted to do it. The thought of
taking a professional athlete and moulding their success was a challenge that I
knew would fulfil my desire to continuously learn and make huge changes in not only
people’s lives but also their careers.
Q. What is your key philosophy to training?
A. Apply the right scientific approach, add purposeful execution
and the body will respond.
Q. Which three Myprotein products could you not do without?
A. MP MAX® True Whey, Omega 3 fish oil, Greens.
Q. You’ve worked with some great athletes, who has been
your most memorable to date and why? A. The most memorable
athlete would have to be David Haye. To work with someone with such natural talent
is a blessing to any S&C coach. It allows for us to be less restricted and more
creative in programme design.
Q. You also work with some very well-known celebrities,
which ones in particular have been good to work with and why? A.
Noel Clarke’s determination and focus is something I have never experienced before.
There is nothing that will stand in his way on route to achieving his goals. Noel
has the desire to push the envelope when it comes to his training, so in designing
his programs I know I can include the regimes that some would shy away from. But
not Noel, 7am every morning he is there waiting to put his body through the paces
of demanding workouts and strict nutrition plans.
Chris Moyles is another whose determination stands out. No matter what I throw at
Chris, once the jokes have been said he simply gets down to the hard work. So much
so, in some cases I actually have to stop him from overdoing it.
Its training people like this that actually makes life very easy because a job is
no longer a job when you’re doing things you love. Having clients like this means
I can do my job to the best of my ability and love every minute of it.
Q. What’s been your most challenging project to date?
A. I believe it’s yet to come.
Q. You’ve been praised for producing amazing results with
certain celebrities and sport people, what’s the secret to your success?
A. Getting healthy is the key. Your body will respond much better
if you are healthy. Healthy doesn’t just mean eating salad, it means your lifestyle
is healthy, you sleep well, don’t abuse your body with processed foods, alcohol
and drugs, you maintain a balance between the ‘ying and yang’.
Q. You actually practice what you preach and are in great
shape, what does a typical weeks training consist of, including volume, intensity
and exercise selection? A. This will depend on what
goals I’ve set myself and what phase of training I’m currently in. My current training
is fat loss so I will perform 2 combo sessions, a heavy lifting session, a bodyweight
endurance session and a circuit session. Time in the gym is always limited due to
client commitments, so my training has to be short, sharp and very effective.
- Combo:
Hang Clean– Push Press- Front Squat- Bent over Row
Reps 4,3,2,1,1,2,3,4
Then I’d finish off with a set of tabata’s on the battling rope
- Heavy:
5X5
Deadlift, Chin up, Bench Press, Squat
- Combo 2:
Hang Snatch X 6, Super Set With Burpess X 20, Rest 60 Secs, Repeat for 3 sets
Clean and press X 6, Superset with grasshoppers X 20, Rest 60 Secs, Repeat for 3
Sets
Hang Pull X 6, Superset With Jump Split Squat X 30, Rest 60 Secs, Repeat for 3 sets
Finish off with tabatas on rower or battling rope.
- Circuit:
Rack Pull X 3 – Rower X 75M – Push Jerk X 3 – Med Ball Slams X 6 – Prowler Push
30S – Box Jumps X 6
Keep going until 6 rounds are completed. Time the circuit and aim to beat the previous
score.
- Bodyweight:
This will vary but endless amounts of Burpees, Crab Walks, Bear Crawls, Sprints,
Press Ups, Push Backs, V Sits for about an hour.
Q. What does a typical day’s nutrition consist of for you?
(e.g. quantities, types of food and example meal plans) A.
My nutrition is simple. I like to start the day with a salad containing a protein
source, such as salmon, eggs or turkey. Along with good fats like olive oil, avocado
and walnuts.
All other meals are set out the same, half my plate is veg or salad, including kale,
spinach, broccoli, cabbage, rocket and garlic. Plus some good fats, olive oil, avocado,
coconut oil, seeds/nuts. Finally lean proteins would take up a quarter to one third
of the plate; lean grass fed organic beef, organic free range chicken/turkey, venison,
ostrich, buffalo, cod, salmon, sea bass etc.
My snacks would consist of berries, nuts/seeds biltong/beef jerky and the odd protein
shake.