SHEPHERDS' FITNESS
Meet the team
Trainers with the highest levels of knowledge to enable you to achieve your personal goals.
Jim McLagan
Jim McLagan
Specialising in:
- Olympic Lifting
- Aerobic & anaerobic capacity development
- Speed, change of direction & agility
- Return to play Injury Rehabilitation
- Nutritional advice for improved sports performance
- Nutritional advice for improved body composition
- Weight loss & Gain
Jim has extensive experience in the elite sporting arena and has coached in numerous professional & semi-professional settings.
Having worked for a number of Clubs in the National Leagues & Education Institutions on a consultancy basis, Jim secured a role as Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach at Bedford Blues RFC in the Green King IPA Championship (GKI).
Whilst working for Bedford Blues he caught the eye of their near-neighbours Ampthill RUFC, who had just secured their promotion into the GKI Championship. He joined the Ampthill as their Head of Strength & Conditioning for a record-breaking season, as they finished the year in 5th place, higher than any team had achieved during their maiden season in the league. Whilst working for Ampthill he was responsible for planning, delivery and monitoring of physical preparation for 1st & 2nd XV athletes, 48 athletes in total, covering all aspects of performance training. Whilst working for Ampthill, he had the opportunity to gain experience at Saracens & Northampton Saints rugby clubs, in their strength and conditioning departments.
With Jim’s success at Ampthill, his previous employers Bedford Blues managed to lure him back to the club this time as the Head of Strength of Conditioning where Jim helped to guide them through a full season. During this time Jim also worked with the Bedford Blues Junior system, providing strength & conditioning for young athletes ranging from 11-15 years of age. He was responsible at Bedford Blues for the planning, delivery and monitoring of physical preparation for 1st XV athletes, covering all aspects of performance. Whilst working for Bedford Blues, he had the opportunity to work with the Northampton Saints S&C coaching team assisting them with on field S&C sessions for their senior academy players as well as leading the resistance training S&C sessions at Bedford Blues.
Jim has continued to work with a range of athletes, from a range of different sports, most recently he has been preparing Chelmsford Hockey Club for their upcoming season. As well as working directly with premiership rugby players on an individual basis, assisting them with their strength & conditioning.
Finola Hipkin
Finola Hipkin
Specialising in:
- Tailored personal training
- Strength training class instructor
- Pre/post-natal training
- Fitness programmes/education for hormonal/menopausal women
- Nutritional advice
Having accumulated a wealth of knowledge and expertise over nine years of dedicated training, Finola is now entering her seventh year as a personal trainer providing personal and strength training for men and women alike. Also specialising in women’s health, she not only offers general training programmes, but provides tailored guidance to address the unique fitness needs of women at different stages of life. We welcome Finola to the Shepherds’ Fitness team where she will positively contribute to the wellbeing of all our clients and bridge the gap in representation within the fitness industry.
In a strategic move at the close of 2022, Finola significantly advanced her personal training business and individual fitness journey. Her focus and passion for improved health and fitness has only intensified since qualifying in pre/postnatal training and focusing on the unique fitness needs of women during phases of physical and hormonal change in their lives.
Having successfully completed her Level 2 and Level 3 fitness instructor and personal training certifications with Train Fitness in late 2018, she has continued to invest in her education by obtaining qualifications in nutrition and specialised training for pre and postnatal fitness through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).
Recognising the need for improved knowledge around women’s health, Finola embarked on a comprehensive course with ‘Girl’s Get Strong’ in April 2023. This course has provided her with an extensive understanding of various topics, including the phases of menopause, the impact of hormones, and the interplay of nutrition and exercise on the menstrual cycle.
Luke Bury
Luke Bury
Specialising in:
- Youth resistance training
- Strength & power development
- Aerobic & anaerobic capacity development
- Speed, change of direction & agility
- Return to play injury rehabilitation
- Nutritional advice for improved sports performance
- Nutritional advice for improved body composition
- Olympic lifting
Luke has been training for over 10 years, with his main focus on rugby concentrating on developing strength, power, size and speed. Having trained in a range of high performance environments, he pushes his athletes to reach their full potential and exceed their goals whilst staying consistent and accountable.
Having worked for the last 3 years as a Sports and S&C Coach at Felsted School in Essex, this has allowed Luke to expand his coaching skillset in developing younger athletes by focusing on their movement proficiency and scaling their physical training load in a smart manner.
His most recent role before joining Shepherd’s Fitness has been running the S&C Programme for the England Lambs Schoolboy Rugby Squad, training 40-50 boys to play a quick and energetic brand of rugby, requiring a good mixture of fitness, strength and speed.
Luke has been fortunate enough to live in Sydney, Australia for a year, fully immersing himself into the health and fitness culture by becoming an F45 Coach, training large groups through high intensity 45 minute HIIT workouts.
James Morgan
James Morgan
Specialising in:
- Holistic personal trainer
- Expertise in fitness and well-being
- Strength and conditioning specialisation
- Nutritional guidance for desired aesthetics
- Nutritional support for peak performance
- Personalised 2-on-1 training
- Personalised 1-on-1 training
- Tailored short term, medium term and long term fitness strategies to ensure progress
As a holistic personal trainer, I bring a unique blend of expertise in physical fitness and mental well-being. Drawing from my background as a qualified counsellor, I am attuned to the interconnectedness of physical and psychological health and recognise the profound impact of regular exercise on mental well-being and believe that a healthy body is instrumental in fostering a healthy mind.
I specialise in strength and conditioning and I am deeply committed to providing personalised 2-on-1 training sessions. In these shared sessions, individuals can train together, follow a shared workout plan, and benefit from mutual support and motivation. This approach enhances cost-effectiveness and amplifies accountability, leading to more consistent progress and results.
As a well-rounded coach, I understand that each individual has unique fitness needs and aspirations, therefore I am dedicated to tailoring short-term, medium-term, and long-term strategies to suit your goals. Whether you aspire to build strength, improve endurance, or enhance overall well-being, I will work with you to develop a customised plan that aligns with your modality and fosters sustainable progress.
Qualifications:
- Level 4 Strength and Conditioning
- Level 4 Nutrition (in training)
- Level 3 Personal Training
- Level 3 GP referral (in training)
- Level 2 Gym instructor
