I’m Ryan Kennedy, an online fitness coach based in Ballymena, Northern Ireland. I’ve been coaching for over 10 years, and I work with busy people who want to lose body fat, get stronger and feel more confident, without handing over their whole life to do it.
Open to Change is how I do that: personalised training, flexible nutrition guidance and proper accountability, all delivered online so it fits around your week.
How I got into coaching
Before I started training, I lacked confidence. I didn’t know how to build muscle and I wasn’t sure what to do once I walked into a gym. So I took the first step, learned as I went along and got myself into great shape.
Going through that myself showed me how much it changes the way you feel, not just the way you look. That is what sparked my passion for coaching. I wanted to give people a clear pathway to results, so they don’t have to figure it all out on their own.
My qualifications and experience
- Level 2 Fitness Instructor qualification
- Level 3 Personal Trainer qualification
- Foundation Degree in Sport and Leisure, with a sports science focus
- Degree in Sports Coaching
- Over 10 years of coaching experience
In that time I’ve worked with hundreds of people through one-to-one sessions, group training and online coaching. My coaching stays within my qualifications and scope as a personal trainer.
Who I work with
Most of my clients are people who are brilliant at looking after everything else, but find it hard to make time for themselves. They might have a demanding job, work shifts, travel regularly or have a busy family life.
They want to lose body fat, get stronger and feel more confident, but they need a clear plan that fits around their life. Often they already know the basics. Where they need support is putting it into practice consistently.
The most common things I hear are:
- “I start well, then fall out of routine when life gets busy.”
- “There is so much conflicting advice about training and food that I don’t know who to believe.”
- “I always put myself last, and I’m fed up with how my energy, fitness and confidence feel.”
You don’t need to be fit or confident to start. We begin where you are and build from there. That includes beginners and people getting back into training after time away.
How I coach
I look at the person behind the programme. Your work, family, confidence, stress and previous experiences all affect how you approach training and food, so your plan needs to take them into account.
Alongside your training and nutrition, I help you build structure, understand your habits and work through the things that keep getting in your way. I want you to know why you’re doing something, and to develop the confidence to manage it yourself.
Training that fits where you are
Your programme is built around where you train, the equipment you have and the time you can realistically commit. You can train at home, in the gym or both. You don’t need a full gym setup to get started.
Flexible nutrition
My approach is built around your lifestyle. That can include calorie and protein targets where appropriate, alongside practical guidance on meals, portions, planning and everyday habits. You don’t need to cut out your favourite foods or eat perfectly. You can lose body fat while enjoying meals out and having a social life. What matters is what you do consistently over time.
I provide nutrition education and habit support within my scope as a personal trainer. If someone has medical nutrition needs, I refer them to an appropriate qualified professional.
Accountability and support
You complete a weekly check-in, and I also touch base during the week to help keep things moving. You can message me through the coaching app between check-ins, so you never have to wait for check-in day if you’re struggling or need something adjusted.
What I believe about fat loss
People often think they need more motivation or a stricter plan. Usually, they need a better structure and a more realistic approach. If your plan only works when work is quiet, motivation is high and nothing goes wrong, it is going to be difficult to maintain.
That is why I plan for busy weeks from the start, and why I don’t make promises about quick results. Progress over 8 to 12 weeks looks different for everyone. It can mean getting stronger, fitter and more confident, building better daily habits and, where fat loss is the goal, changes in weight or body measurements. It also means feeling more in control of your week and being able to handle a busy spell without feeling like you’ve gone back to square one.
Who coaching is not for
I’m not the right coach if you’re looking for a quick fix or an extreme plan to follow for a few weeks before going back to old habits. You also need to be open to making changes, communicating honestly and putting the work in. I’ll give you the structure and support, but we do need to work together.
If you have an injury or health condition, whether coaching is suitable depends on you as an individual and on any guidance from your GP, physio or other healthcare professional.
Where my clients are
I’m based in Ballymena, and I coach online. My clients are spread across the UK and Ireland, and a few are as far away as Canada, America and Australia.
What happens when you get in touch
- You send an enquiry.
- We arrange a free consultation, which lasts 30 to 45 minutes. We talk about your goals, your current routine, what you’re struggling with and how coaching could help. It is also a chance to see whether we’re a good fit.
- If you decide to get started, you receive a welcome email and an onboarding questionnaire.
- I use your answers to build your plan, and you go through my three-day onboarding process.
- You’re set up on the coaching app with your training programme and first priorities.
- We use the first week to get you familiar with the plan, answer your questions and make any adjustments.
There are no coaching contracts. You can choose monthly coaching, a 12-week plan or a six-month plan, and we’ll talk through the options on your consultation call. You can read more about the complete coaching experience or have a look at the frequently asked questions.
Ready to find out if coaching is right for you?
If you’d like structure, support and a plan that works around your life, get in touch and we’ll arrange your free consultation. There is no pressure, just an honest conversation about where you are and where you want to be.