A Personal Trainer returns to education after working for twenty years in the construction industry
Jack Morris from Laugharne is a BSC Sport and Exercise Science graduate from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. He worked in the construction industry for 20 years but made the transition to personal training in 2016, three years before starting at UWTSD.
He said:
“If I’m honest the idea came to me one day and being a spontaneous person, I just called in at the university to enquire, which subsequently led to me enrolling and the rest is history. Returning to education after so many years was difficult at first but like everything in life with a little commitment and effort, I was soon able to enjoy the process.
“It was my passion for training/sport that made me take the first step then I wanted to expand and become a better trainer, so a sport and exercise science degree seemed the best option.”
Jack liked the course as it offered a good combination of practical and theory. His favourite aspect of the course was the learning and being able to engage himself in a subject that he is passionate about with like-minded people. He adds:
“The whole course has provided me not only with academic skills and the ability to be able to research relevant topics but also improved my business skills which will hopefully lead to a successful future.”
During his final year, Jack had the opportunity to use state-of-the-art equipment to assess members of the public who participated in his research project. His lecturer, Geraint Forster, also gave him the opportunity to collaborate with a para-athlete from Welsh triathlon for 4-months, where he designed and supervised a strength and conditioning programme at the new sports shed on campus each week.
Jack feels that his time as a student has developed him in many ways as a person, which has allowed Jack to become more productive.
“The saying knowledge is power is so true in my opinion and understanding science and the human body has helped me rationalise my own choices and how I see the world in relation to others.
During his time as a student, Jack felt that he received fantastic support from his lecturers which was key for him to complete and enjoy the course.
“Geraint and Dave were my mentors who I would bounce my thoughts off. These two lectures were brilliant and always had time, and their knowledge and understanding of the subject was class but more importantly, they encouraged me to challenge their beliefs also, as the subject is continually evolving.”
Lecturer Geraint Forster said:
“It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Jack for the last four years. As a lecturer, it is incredibly rewarding when a student arrives with little academic background and having not had positive experiences in education to that point, but who then thrives and grows over the course of the degree. By the end of his degree, Jack was producing work of the highest standard, and achieved some of the highest marks we have ever awarded on the course. This demonstrates that providing a student has passion and enthusiasm for the topic, and the motivation to fully apply themselves to learning, they can achieve great things with a little support and encouragement.”
After graduating, Jack hopes to grow his business as a personal trainer and coach and said that he,
“Don’t want to count my chickens before they hatch but hopefully the business will go from strength to strength in the future and this is a result of what I have learnt in my time at UWTSD.”
Further Information
Lowri Thomas
Principal Communications and PR Officer
Corporate Communications and PR
Email: lowri.thomas@uwtsd.ac.uk
Phone: 07449 998476