Discover the dedicated professionals behind HENCH.
Our team is composed of individuals who are not only experts in their fields but also passionate advocates of fitness and well-being. With diverse backgrounds and unique personal experiences, they contribute to the rich, supportive environment we proudly call the HENCH community. As you consider joining our team, know that at HENCH, we celebrate personal and professional growth, encourage innovation, and foster a culture of excellence and camaraderie. Start your journey with us today.
Name and Position: Say hello to Jay Malcolm, our Senior Strength Coach at HENCH.
Qualifications and Experience: Jay has a Sport & Exercise Science degree and holds CrossFit and Gymnastics coaching qualifications. His passion for fitness turned into a profession when he joined HENCH full-time.
Role in HENCH: Jay progressed from Coaching Assistant to Senior Strength Coach in just two and a half years, demonstrating the potential for career growth at HENCH.
Coaching Philosophy: Jay sees strength training as a transformative journey. He’s committed to making this journey as enjoyable and rewarding as possible for our members, a testament to the supportive community we foster at HENCH.
Specialities: Jay’s expertise lies in introducing beginners to strength training, a highly valued skill at HENCH with well-developed technical and soft skills.
Personal Bio: Jay’s fascination with strength training began 15 years ago, initially shaped by a performance-oriented mindset and an emphasis on athletic development. After a profound shift in his perspective during his university years, Jay learned to appreciate the remarkable benefits of strength training beyond performance – encompassing mental and physical well-being. This personal journey fuels his passion for coaching and enhances his understanding of the various obstacles individuals might face on their fitness journey.
Fun fact: As a child, Jay dreamt of becoming a male stripper after watching The Full Monty!
Name and Position: Introducing Bronagh Donnelly, a devoted Strength Coach at HENCH.
Qualifications and Experience: Bronagh has a Degree in Sport & Exercise Science and is a Qualified Olympic Weightlifting Coach. Complementing her degree, she has pursued multiple sports-related courses and boasts over ten years of experience coaching individuals across all fitness levels.
Role in HENCH: Bronagh has been part of the HENCH family for a year, contributing her expertise as a part-time Strength Coach. She is deeply involved in guiding members’ fitness journeys and is a valued part of our team.
Coaching Philosophy: Bronagh’s coaching philosophy is centred around the belief that everyone should be able to move and live well. She emphasizes the crucial role of strength training in everyday life, noting how the strength, confidence, and skills we gain in the gym permeate our personal lives.
Specialities: With extensive experience working with adults of all backgrounds, Bronagh is particularly interested in women’s health and the importance of strength, mobility, and balance training.
Personal Bio: Bronagh’s journey into sports and fitness began at a young age, though not without its challenges. She faced body shaming, struggled with food, and was overtrained during her teenage years. However, these experiences served as a powerful catalyst, leading her to understand the true importance of strength training, nutrition, and fostering a positive body image. These personal experiences drive her mission to help and inspire others to exercise for the right reasons and to build strength and confidence in their own skin.
Fun fact: When not coaching, Bronagh is an outdoor enthusiast, frequently found hiking mountains or catching waves!
Name and Position: Say hello to Joseph McGreevy, Strength Coach at HENCH.
Qualifications and Experience: Joe has received his Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) qualification from the NSCA and is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Strength and Conditioning at Ulster University
Role in HENCH: As a Coach, Joe works closely with the rest of our coaching team to provide members with comprehensive and effective training programs. His unique background in various sports and his commitment to scientific-based coaching methods greatly enrich the HENCH coaching approach.
Coaching Philosophy: Joe ensures that his coaching strategies and methods have a scientific base while also dedicating himself to ensuring members have an enjoyable and fulfilling experience.
Specialities: Joe has experience in Strength and Conditioning, where he has worked with a variety of teams such as Rugby, Gaelic and Netball, in addition to this, Joe also has experience in Powerlifting and Hypertrophy/Bodybuilding training.
Personal Bio: Joe’s interest in sport and fitness began at a young age when he played Football and Gaelic. This later transitioned into a passion for strength and hypertrophy training – including the science surrounding the topic. Joe originally attended Queen’s University Belfast, where he graduated in Computer Science and spent some time in the IT industry working as a Software Engineer. However, his fascination with the strength world later led him to pursue a different career path, which led him to study Strength and Conditioning at Ulster University and coaching at HENCH.
Fun fact: Joe took a year out of his studies at Queen’s University Belfast to pursue a professional gaming and streaming career, where he won multiple National Championships, accumulated millions of views and solidified himself as one of the best players in Europe.
Name and Position: Get to know Rory Girvan, our Founder.
Qualifications and Experience: With a solid academic background in Biomedical Science and Sport and Exercise Sciences and a certification in Nutrition Coaching, Rory exemplifies the professional standards we uphold at HENCH. His extensive coaching and training experience contributes to his vision for HENCH.
Role in HENCH: As our founder, Rory works intimately with the coaching team, guiding and shaping the HENCH methodology based on shared principles. His role involves continually refining our coaching methods in line with best practices in the industry.
Coaching Philosophy: Rory sees strength and conditioning as a transformative journey, influencing physical health and mental well-being. This belief is a cornerstone of the HENCH philosophy. Rory’s passion for the transformational power of strength training and good nutritional habits is rooted in his experiences of losing over 70 lbs in his twenties.
Specialities: Rory has a rich background in Strength and Conditioning, Powerlifting training, and Nutrition coaching, providing an invaluable resource for the team at HENCH.
Personal Bio: Rory’s journey in fitness includes diverse athletic experiences, from winning accolades in powerlifting (first-ever overall IPF Powerlifting champion for both NI, Ireland and All-Ireland and also winning a silver at the Drug-Free World Powerlifting Championships) and weightlifting (NI Open Champion at 80kg) to competing in high-level amateur in MMA. Beyond physical fitness, he advocates for mental health as an ambassador for charities like Inspire and TAMHI.
Fun fact: He started coaching at 17 when working with his cousin David Smyth, bringing him to the local council gym to lift weights and get fit. David has Down Syndrome and a mean sense of humour, and despite a reluctance to go to the gym, they made significant progress in their time together whilst having a laugh.
Join us
HENCH is one of the fastest-growing and most renowned strength coaching gyms in the UK and Ireland. Since 2012, we have helped thousands of people to fall in love with strength training by thinking of the pursuit as something to learn, master and enjoy for a lifetime.
Imagine working as part of a team of like-minded, ambitious, fun, curious, professional and down-to-earth people who are as passionate about the ability for strength training to change lives as you are.
We’re always looking for great people; if you imagine yourself here, this could be the place for you.
WE’RE ON A MISSION…
To find those who see strength training as having a deeper purpose in people’s lives! While HENCH is scaling up and on the lookout for:
- Assistant Strength Coach
- Strength Coach
- Front Of House Supervisor
- Front of House Manager
We’re also looking beyond roles. We’re searching for those who resonate with our core values and purpose.
What makes a HENCH team member?
Role Modelling: We don’t just talk the talk; we walk the walk. Show us how you embody what you believe in.
Beginner’s Mind: Got an insatiable curiosity? Leave the ego at the door and join a team that is always eager to learn and grow.
Strive for Excellence: Prove that you’re always hunting for the best tools, knowledge, or skills in your arsenal.
Professionalism with a Personal Touch: Being a consummate professional is nothing without humility.
Craic: Because what’s life without a bit of fun?
Our team’s True North? We’re here to make people stronger for life, both physically and mentally (whilst enjoying the process!)
Although we’re massively into professional development, we prioritise passion, character, and alignment with our mission before age, degrees, and past titles.
If this speaks to you — if you believe in our purpose and embody our values — hop over to HENCH.io/careers and show us what you’ve got! When filling out the application pack, include evidence that you’ve dedicated yourself to being the best at what you do!
Apply Now
