Eamonn Cox came to strength and conditioning through a lifetime in sport, from GAA and boxing as a child to BJJ and Thai boxing, before the gym became a fixture in his early twenties. He is a graduate of the BSc in Strength & Conditioning with Setanta College.
Below, Eamonn discusses how he found the field, the coaching career the BSc laid the foundation for, and his plans to keep studying with Setanta.
A Background in Sport
Eamonn’s route into coaching started with his own training.
“I have a background in various different sports. I started with the usual sports, from GAA to boxing, when I was a child. I did BJJ and Thai boxing, and then a friend introduced me to the gym at 21. It immediately became engrained in my weekly routine. I saw first-hand the benefits of training and wanted to help others gain the same.”
A Typical Week
Eamonn’s work now spans in-person coaching and running an online business.
“Currently I’m working with St Jude’s, delivering their strength and conditioning on Mondays. I also coach in the online fitness space, so this entails weekly check-ins, programming, marketing and the other variables that come with running a business.”
Career Highlights
For Eamonn, the standout moments have been about confidence and communication as much as the coaching itself.
“It’s being able to stand in front of a group of 20 or 30 athletes and communicate effectively, while being confident in the delivery of a well-structured plan. It’s also been growing a business online and gaining insights into the different skills needed between online and in-person coaching.”
Why Setanta
Several factors drew Eamonn to Setanta, and the qualification opened a significant door.
“There were a few points. It was the flexibility of being able to work full-time and then study in the late evenings and nights. It was the staff and their experience and expertise, and any past students I spoke to had always recommended Setanta and spoke very highly of the courses.
I was able to gain employment in the public sector thanks to having the necessary qualifications from Setanta. This was a goal, to provide security, and the role within the physio department allows me to deliver exercise and tie in the strength and conditioning principles that I’ve learnt over the years.”
Where Theory Meets Practice
“I enjoyed the workshops for the various different subjects. This is where the theory and practice tied in together really well. As a collective group we could lean on different ideas and past experiences to help improve our coaching ability.
The BSc laid the foundation for my own coaching career. It taught me the importance of connecting with other like-minded individuals, and to always aim to see how you can help others in different situations, because that will help your career massively. I’ve met some fantastic people along the way, and my network of people I can turn to for help is ever-expanding thanks to having that open-minded attitude.”
Advice for Others
“Networking is key. I would say contact other coaches with experience and ask questions. Start coaching right away, as there are many skills you won’t be able to get good at unless you gain in-person experience.
Continue to study and don’t allow ego to be the enemy. The field of research in S&C is ever-changing, so remain keen to learn and challenge your own thought processes.”
Looking Ahead
“I will go on to study Sports Psychology with Setanta, as this is an area I find particularly interesting. I feel as though developing a more holistic approach to coaching is the way forward. As a coach, I want to ensure any athlete I work with is improving in all areas of performance.”
