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ABOUT ME

My name is Val and I work as a Private Coach and as a freelance writer and speaker on topics such as sports science, fitness, health, mental health and Equity, Diversity & Inclusion.
 

Loughborough University
I am a Post Graduate University Teacher at Loughborough University, studying a PhD on Female Coaches in Strength and Conditioning. I am also supporting teaching on undergraduate exercise physiology modules and on the MSc in Strength & Conditioning.

 

I am a member of the Loughborough School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences (SSEHS) Equity, Diversity & Inclusion working group.

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UKSCA

I write and edit a new column which I initiated in the UKSCA's Journal titled 'Empowering Female Coaches'.

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From August 2023-August 2024, I held the position of Director of Education and Training pre-accredited status (pre-ASCC).

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​Sport & Exercise Physiology
I previously provided exercise physiology testing undertaking VO2 max and lactate profile testing with recreationally competitive, sub-elite and elite endurance athletes, including Olympians. Providing reports and recommendations for training prescription.

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Orreco (Physiology)
Previous experience of point of care blood biomarker testing, primarily with teams and athletes from the FA's Premier League and Women's Super League (soccer).

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Sports Coaching

I have over 23 years of experience in fitness & sports coaching, including coaching in football, snowboarding, Olympic weightlifting, CrossFit, running, indoor rowing & Strength & Conditioning.

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Through Private Coaching, my aim is to help athletes like myself make the most of their sport be it for fun or performance with health always at the core.

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I work with athletes from Recreational to Highly Competitive levels.

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Learning & Development

I am an experienced educator with over 16 years of experience designing and delivering classroom and online learning content for both adults and young people. I have experience of redesigning organisational induction programmes and learning content

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Life Coaching

I branched into Life Coaching as well as sports coaching because I don't think you can neatly separate the mind and body. They are not two distinct aspects of the human organism, but rather two intertwined systems that are equally important for health and performance.

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Women's Studies

I previously studied a Post Graduate Diploma in Women's Studies and have a keen desire to broaden the reach of Strength & Conditioning as a profession to help inspire more females to become coaches.

 

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I love all of the pursuits I engage in and believe that’s what helps keep my mind and body happy, peaceful and heathy. I aim to share this joy with others.

MY LIFE MANTRAS

LIVE LIFE LOVE LIFE

Live Life: Make the most of what this life has to offer

Love Life: Enjoy life as much as possible

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BE THE BEST YOU

Be the Best You is about using our experiences and connections to grow and develop positively and to hopefully have a positive impact within this life.

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MIND & BODY PURSUITS

Indoor Rowing*

Cycling*

Weightlifting**

Running

Open Water Swimming

Surfing

Buddhist Meditation***

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*Coached by Eddie Fletcher

**Previously Coached by Sarah Davies

***Coached by Bhante Samitha

SPORTING ACHIEVEMENTS

British Records Indoor Rowing

  • 11th May 2020 British Record HWT Female 40-49 1 minute Row 332m

  • 21st April 2020 Matched British Record HWT Female 40-49 100m Row 0:17.0

  • 20th April 2020 British Record HWT Female 40-49 1 minute Row 330m

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British Records SkiErg

  • 4th March 2020 British Record Female 40-49 100m SkiErg 0:18.9

  • 26th February 2020 British Record Female 40-49 4 minute SkiErg 1015m

  • 18th February 2020 British Record Female 40-49 1 minute SkiErg 296m

  • 13th December 2019 British Record Female 40-49 1000m SkiErg 3:52.8

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World Rowing Indoor Championships

  • 4th Place Finisher Female 45-49 2000m 2024

(This was after a full year out injured in 2022 and returning from injury in 2023-2024)

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Indoor Rowing National Championships

  • Bronze Medal Female 40-49 2000m British Rowing Virtual Championships 2021

  • Silver Medal Female 40-49 1000m Scottish Rowing Indoor Championships 2020

  • Bronze Medal Female 40-49 500m Scottish Rowing Indoor Championships 2020

  • Bronze Medal Female 40-49 500m British Rowing Virtual Championships 2020

  • Bronze Medal Female 40-49 2000m British Rowing Virtual Championships 2020

  • Silver Medal Female 40-49 500m British Rowing Indoor Championships 2019

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Just Row X British Rowing

  • 1st Place Winner Female Middleweight Masters 2024

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10 Mile Cycling Time Trial

  • 21st July 2022 Swindon Wheelers Cycling Club V40 (over 40) Club Record 25:51

(This was only my 6th 10-mile TT and with little cycling miles behind me as I was out injured from indoor rowing)

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Functional Fitness

  • 1st Place Winners Female Masters Pairs Category at the Superhuman Games 2017

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QUALIFICATIONS

Academic Qualifications

  • Currently studying a PhD on Female Coaches in Strength & Conditioning

  • Post Graduate Diploma in Applied Sport and Exercise Physiology with Distinction

  • Post Graduate Certificate in Strength & Conditioning with Distinction

  • Post Graduate Diploma in Women’s Studies

  • First-Class BA Honours Degree in Youth & Community Work

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UK Strength & Conditioning Association (UKSCA)

  • Accredited Strength & Conditioning Coach (ASCC)

  • Plyometrics, Agility & Speed Workshop

  • Applied Coaching Science Workshop

  • Planning Effective Programmes for Sports Performance Workshop

  • Weight Lifting for Sports Performance Workshop

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Sports Conditioning and Strength & Conditioning

  • Level 4 Award in Strength & Conditioning

  • Level 3 Certificate in Sports Conditioning

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Life Coaching, NLP and Mindfulness

  • Level 4 Diploma in Life Coaching with Distinction

  • Level 3 Diploma in Life Coaching with Distinction

  • Life Coaching Diploma

  • NLP Certified Business Practitioner (Neuro Linguistic Programming)

  • Mindfulness Diploma

 

Skateboarding

  • Get Rolling (Skateboard Coach)

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Indoor Rowing

  • Dark Horse Trainer / Concept2 Indoor Rowing Instructor

  • British Rowing Go Row Indoor Instructor

 

Olympic Weightlifting, Strength Training and Powerlifting

  • Level 2 Course for Technical Officials (Olympic Weightlifting)

  • Level 2 British Weight Lifting Certificate in Coaching Weight Lifting

  • Level 1 British Weight Lifting Certificate in Coaching Weight Lifting

  • Level 2 Award in Instructing Weight Lifting (Strength Training)

  • Level 1 Certificate in Coaching Powerlifting

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​Running

  • Coach in Running Fitness - England Athletics

  • Athletics Coaching Assistant - England Athletics

  • Gait Analysis

 

CrossFit

  • CrossFit Level 2 Trainer

  • CrossFit Level 1 Trainer

  • CrossFit Kids Trainer

  • CrossFit Gymnastics Trainer

  • CrossFit Aerobic Capacity Trainer

  • Lesson Planning Certificate

  • Scaling Certificate

  • Running Certificate

  • Spot the Flaw Certificate

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​Fitness Qualifications​

  • Level 3 Diploma in Teaching Pilates (Practitioner)

  • Level 3 Award in Adapting Exercise for Ante Natal and Post Natal Clients

  • Level 3 Certificate in Personal Training

  • Level 2 Award in Instructing Suspended Movement Training

  • Level 2 Certificate in Teaching Physical Activity to Children

 

Fitness Short Courses/CPD

  • Senior Fitness Specialist

  • Youth Exercise Specialist

  • Kettlebells

  • Bootcamp Training

  • Box Fit Instructor

  • Running Certificate

  • Torso Training & Core Stability Certificate

  • Circuit Training Certificate

  • Certificate in Nutrition for Health & Fitness

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Swimming Qualifications

  • Level 1 Assistant Swim Teacher Certificate

 

Football Qualifications

  • Level 1 in Coaching Football

  • FA Junior Team Managers Award

 

Snowboard Qualifications

  • Level 1 UKCP Snowboard Coach (BASI)

  • Level 1 Certificate in Instructing Snowboarding (NZSIA)

  • Level 2 Certificate in Instructing Snowboarding (NZSIA)

  • Level 2 Children's Teaching Certificate (NZSIA)

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Teaching and Learning & Development Qualifications

  • Associate Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA)

  • Level 5 Certificate in Learning & Development (CIPD)

  • Level 4 Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector

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Safeguarding and Equality & Diversity

  • Safeguarding & Protecting Children

  • Safeguarding and Protecting Children - Digital Kids

  • British Weight Lifting Safeguarding Refresher

  • Safeguarding in Athletics - UK Athletics​

  • Level 2 Certificate in Equality & Diversity

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Mental Health Awareness

  • Level 2 Award in Mental Health Awareness

  • Mental Health Awareness for Sport & Physical Activity

  • Mental Health First Aid

 

​Clean Sport Awareness

  • UKAD Coach Clean

 

First Aid

  • Emergency First Aid at Work​

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Professional Memberships

  • UK Strength & Conditioning Association (UKSCA) - Accredited Member

  • Skateboard GB

  • British Rowing

  • British Weight Lifting (BWL)

  • England Athletics (EA)

  • UK Coaching - Subscription

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