Cian Taaffe
Dundalk,Louth
Summary
A very motivated fitness professional with years of experience in all different types of fitness. Having the experience of working with beginners in the gym to working with elite athletes has given me a great deal of knowledge in which I can help people of all ages and abilities to achieve their fitness goals and help them enjoy their overall fitness journey. I am very interested in all aspects of fitness, especially strength and conditioning and injury rehabilitation.
I am very friendly, and I love meeting new people and getting to hear about new experiences and learn from them to help improve my skill set more. I am very hard working and strive for the best in all that I do to ensure the best outcome in each organisation that I am in. I am very self-motivated and am very much into my own health and fitness and massively into sport.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work History
Sales team member
Lifestyle Sports
Tralee, Co Kerry
09.2023 - Current
- My employment in lifestyle sports is based in a retail environment. Being in this environment allowed me to gain a great deal of experience in sales. This was a new route for me and allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and try something else in a line of work I was not used to. I have always wanted to gather sales experience, as I felt it was very beneficial to have and you can apply skills that you gain within this environment to any career. Gaining this experience in an environment such as this that has links to sport made it all the better for myself, as I was able to express my knowledge and passion for sport in certain situations that would benefit customers and would help make their shopping experience that little bit easier.
- My main responsibilities are dealing with customers questions and queries in a high-paced environment. On a day-to-day basis, I would try and help resolve any problems that they may have and help them in any possible way I can. I would retrieve products from the store room and help guide them to what product they are looking for and maybe some suitable ideas that could help with their purchase. This would relate to Upselling products, this is very beneficial for this organisation as they are getting more sales but can also be beneficial for the customer as they may not have had the idea of that extra product.
- One of my other main responsibilities is processing delivery of stock that is already in the shop and also new stock. This involves making sure the stock is accounted for and processed quickly so that the staff on the shop floor can get this out as quick as possible. There is only a small group of us that do this, which allows us to be organised and work together effectively to complete this. I enjoy this responsibility as it is deemed an important job in the shop and can be quite challenging at times, which allows me to adapt in certain situations and work with others to overcome any problems that may occur
Strength and conditioning coach
Keel GAA
Castlemaine, Co Kerry
01.2024 - 10.2024
- Responsible for working with the group of players to help them become better athletes overall. I conduct gym sessions and conditioning sessions applicable to the game of GAA to help them improve physically and aerobically to endure the demands of the sport. Agility work is something that I place a lot of focus on throughout my sessions, due to trying to prevent injury and also improve their overall agility as athletes.
- I conduct tests, which include strength tests and aerobic fitness tests. This allows me to see what improvements need to be made in each individual and what I can base my focus on within my sessions.
Pathway Athletic Development Coach
Munster Rugby
Limerick, Limerick
05.2023 - 06.2024
- I was responsible for working with the U18 Girls squad for the summer months (June–August). It was my duty as the athletic development coach for this group of players to effectively aid them in developing as athletes by directing structured sessions that the lead athletic development coaches had collectively created. I conducted a range of tests from which I could gather data and analyse it, which would allow me to gain a focus on what needed to be improved in each particular area. By collecting this data, it allowed me to relay information back to other professionals, such as head coaches and physiotherapists, relating to player welfare and player profiles when approaching milestones within the programme. While doing this, I was ensuring that there was full alignment with my fellow athletic development coaches across the pathway and communicating effectively with them.
- I got the opportunity to coach all across youth development, which allowed me to adapt in certain situations with a range of different age groups and individuals and also work alongside a range of different professionals, which massively enhanced my knowledge and helped me grow as a coach.
- As well as this, I was also the athletic development coach for the West Munster region. This involved my attendance to a range of different clubs and schools in the region to educate them on what athletic development is and allow them to understand it by participating in sessions I had created. I was joined by the Regional Development Officer for some of these sessions, so communication with him was crucial. While conducting these sessions, I was constantly driving the outcomes on what Munster Rugby expected and ensuring participants understood these. These sessions included working with the Regional Development Squads, where I further enhanced my knowledge as a coach and built relationships with more coaches within Munster Rugby. This particular part within the role allowed me to express my passion and knowledge to younger players in the hope they learn and grow as athletes.
Fitness instructor / Personal Trainer
Dan Glynn Coaching
Navan, Meath
03.2021 - 09.2023
- Increased client motivation by designing personalised fitness programs.
- Provided expert guidance for improved health and wellness.
- Created a positive environment with energetic, upbeat classes.
- Ensured safety during workouts by demonstrating proper techniques.
- Responsible for training and teaching clients to live a happier and healthier lifestyle, conducting specific strength & conditioning classes to clients, informing people how to improve mindset in different situations, and answering any queries clients may have about fitness, nutrition, mindset, etc. Collecting confidential data for clients and conducting analysis to help them work towards reaching their goals and what they are capable of.
- I conducted specific classes for clients who were returning from an injury they had, or were still recovering from. This helped me enhance my knowledge and passion in regards to injury rehabilitation and overall fitness.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Health and Leisure with Adapted Physical Activity
Munster Technological University
Tralee, Co Kerry 09.2018 - 05.2023
Skills
- Communication: I am very confident when talking to people and different professionals I can speak and write clearly, and I am also good at listening to people's opinions I will always take advice on board and use it to better myself as a professional and individual
- Leadership: I am very comfortable leading large groups with a range of different abilities I create a positive environment, which allows people to feel comfortable and express themselves in a way that is going to make them better at what they do By possessing this skill, it allows me to relay information effectively and confidently I have gained this through my years of coaching large groups of different individuals and also from captaining my college senior rugby squad
- Teamwork: I developed from playing team sports such as Rugby and GAA and also from working in certain groups for projects and specific activities This skills allows me to effectively work with a range of different professionals and build great relationships with them, which, in the long run, can create a much smoother working environment
- Organizational Skills: Ensuring that my weeks are set up effectively and I understand each day thoroughly This allows me to be ready for each day in regards to equipment or any contact that needs to be made with people It also allows me to write out preparation notes before each session, eg what warm-up I am going to instruct today Having this skill allows me to adapt to any situation that may arise
- Enthusiastic: I consider myself to be a very enthusiastic person I always like the people around me to be smiling and to feel like they are in a positive environment I try to make the best out of every situation while ensuring people are gaining something from what I am coaching or preaching This allows people to feel comfortable around me which allows them to learn effectively and it can also be a key factor in building relationships with other professionals and individuals also
Affiliations
- Rugby
- Music
- Strength Training
- GAA
Certification
- Certification in Safeguarding 1 – Child Welfare & Protection Base Awareness Course (2019)
- Foundation Award in GAA coaching (2017)
- Foundation Award in Rugby coaching (2018)
- Occupational First Aid course – QQI Award (2019)
- REPS Fitness Instructor and Group Fitness Instructor Qualified.
- World Rugby Training and Education Coach
- Halliwicks Swimming Method
Accomplishments
- All Ireland 'C' Schools GAA Winner - 2018
- Leinster Division 2 Senior Rugby Schools Winner - 2018
- Munster Technological University Senior Rugby Captain - 2022-2023
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Strength and conditioning coach
Keel GAA
01.2024 - 10.2024
Sales team member
Lifestyle Sports
09.2023 - Current
Pathway Athletic Development Coach
Munster Rugby
05.2023 - 06.2024
Fitness instructor / Personal Trainer
Dan Glynn Coaching
03.2021 - 09.2023
Bachelor of Science - Health and Leisure with Adapted Physical Activity
Munster Technological University
09.2018 - 05.2023
- Certification in Safeguarding 1 – Child Welfare & Protection Base Awareness Course (2019)
- Foundation Award in GAA coaching (2017)
- Foundation Award in Rugby coaching (2018)
- Occupational First Aid course – QQI Award (2019)
- REPS Fitness Instructor and Group Fitness Instructor Qualified.
- World Rugby Training and Education Coach
- Halliwicks Swimming Method
Similar Profiles
Moya McHughMoya McHugh
Store Manager at Lifestyle sportsStore Manager at Lifestyle sports
Victor AdejuyigbeVictor Adejuyigbe
Sales Team Member at Lifestyle SportsSales Team Member at Lifestyle Sports
Mya VanKotenMya VanKoten
Model/Actor at Sports & Lifestyle UnlimitedModel/Actor at Sports & Lifestyle Unlimited