Sophie Whittingham – Sports and Exercise Therapist and Head Coach
Sports Therapy Background
I graduated from Leeds Metropolitan University in 2013 with a BSc (Hons) in Sports and Exercise Therapy. I am highly qualified and have now had my own successful business for over 7 years.
Being involved in sport from a young age and having been injured, showed me the importance of sports massage and sports rehabilitation in the prevention and treatment of injuries, this inspired me to set up my own sports massage and rehabilitation business.
I combine my intuitive attributes with professional skills to create individually tailored treatments for each client and will always provide the client with the best treatment possible and work to their requirements. Over the last 4 years, I have been able to grow my business even further by having a clinic as my main base, however, I still offer a mobile service when needed.
I carry the necessary insurances required to practice and am a member of the Society of Sports Therapists.
Triathlon Background
I have over six years of competitive triathlete experience and have represented Great Britain at the European and World Age Group Championships for the last 5 years. I have competed at many sprint and standard distance triathlons but over the last couple of years have moved my focus towards the middle distance (70.3) events.
Due to my extensive experience in some of the UK’s biggest triathlons, racing abroad and through competing at countless local events – I’m fully equipped to coach athletes. No matter their target, I’m able to help athletes of all abilities and experience realise their true potential and achieve their goal.
In my role as a fully qualified triathlon coach with over two years of professional coaching experience, my clients have witnessed significant improvements across all disciplines in the triathlon. This includes an individual who struggled to swim a length before coming to see me. Since then they have competed in their first sprint and standard distance triathlon!
Past clients have observed faster PBs under my bespoke training programmes and technical advice. I also have demonstrable success in coaching athletes who wanted a challenge by trying a new distance ranging from sprints to Ironman events.
My coaching programmes provide clients with an abundance of skills including swim, bike and run techniques; pacing for races and instructions on how to train effectively without overdoing it.
With my combined triathlon experience and sports therapy background, I understand the importance of a structured training programme.
My coaching pushes athletes to achieve their potential while recognising their physical limits so that they can prevent and manage the injuries and physical stresses that athletes can suffer.
Qualifications
- BSc Sports and Exercise Therapist
- Cupping Therapy Diploma
- Ironman Certified Coach
- Level 2 Triathlon Coaching
- Running Mechanics and Gait Analysis
- Level 1 Swim Teacher
- Level 2 Fitness Instructor – gym-based exercise
- First aid at work
- Level 2 Swimming Teacher
Achievements
- Age Group European Triathlon Championships 2016 – Lisbon (Standard Distance Tri)
- Age Group World Championships 2017 – Rotterdam (Sprint Distance Tri)
- Competed at Regional Level Swimming for over ten years
- Competed in Ironman 70,3 Dun Laoghaire 2018
- Age Group World Championships 2019 – Lausanne, Switzerland ( Sprint Distance)
Emily Sanders – Triathlon Coach
I have loved sport from a young age and swam competitively for many years until I was 16 when I became a swimming instructor and taught a variety of ages and abilities through a Learn to Swim Programme. My passion then became triathlons – sprint and Olympic distance after watching my dad participate and getting drawn in. I also found time to compete in 10km races and some half marathons thrown in aswell.
Since 2014 I have had 2 children and made sure I dedicated my spare time to running and competing in road and off-road races. Both of my children are at school now and I want to focus on helping others achieve their best with a unique training plan that can fit in around a busy life schedule. I feel well equipped with my years of competing and qualification as a triathlon coach to help other athletes work towards their goals.
Qualifications
- Ironman Coach Certified
- Level 1 Swimming coach
Achievements
- Podium Places at local 5k and 10k run races
- Regional Level Swimmer