Meet the team

Established in 2023 by co-founders Tom and Katherine, NESC is supported by an experienced coaching team with the aim of inspiring strength in the Darlington community and beyond

Tom Strawbridge

TOM
Strawbridge

NESC Co-Founder

Strength and
Powerlifting Coach

Qualifications/Certs

  • Level 3 PT

  • BSc Hons Sports Science

Speciality

  • Powerlifting

Coaching

  • Programme-only

  • Online coaching

  • Semi-private coaching

  • 1-to-1 coaching

Favourite movement

  • Back squat

Least favourite...

  • Running!

Favourite post-workout snack

  • Squares bar

Favourite workout tune

  • Lost in the Static by After The Burial

Kat Strawbridge

KATHERINE
Strawbridge

NESC Co-Founder

Gym Manager
Class Coach

Qualifications/Certs

  • PE Teacher

  • Rugby coach

  • Trampolining coach

  • Personal trainer

Speciality

  • Sports coaching

  • Group HITT

  • General fitness coaching

Coaching

  • 1-to-1 coaching

  • Small group coaching

Favourite movement

  • Rear foot elevated split squats

Least favourite...

  • Burpees

Favourite post-workout snack

  • Chocolate chip salted caramel Grenade bar

Favourite workout tune

  • Anything Avril!

Andy Woodward

ANDY
Woodward

Coach
Class coach

Qualifications/Certs

  • MSc Strength and Conditioning

  • BA (hons) Sport & Physical Ed.

  • Gym Instructor Level 2

  • UK Athletics Level 3 Performance Coach

  • Netball Level 1 Coach

  • UK Athletics and England Netball Strength and Conditioning Certificates

  • Kettlebell Instructor Qualification

  • TRX Instructor Qualification

  • Rugby League Level 2 Coach

  • Rugby Union and Volleyball Level 1 Coach

  • Tennis and Cricket Teachers Awards

Speciality

  • Youth athlete development

  • Sport specific strength and conditioning

Coaching

  • 1-to-1 coaching

  • Youth athlete development PT

  • Para-athlete, sports team, and winter sport strength and conditioning coaching

Favourite movement

  • Compound movements

Least favourite...

  • None!

Favourite post-workout snack

  • Peanut butter and jelly Grenade bar

Favourite workout tune

  • Metalingus by Alter Bridge

Stace Flinn

STACE
Flinn

Coach
Class coach

Qualifications/Certs

  • Level 2 Group Training

  • Level 2 Gym Instructor

  • Level 3 PT

  • Level 2 Studio Cycling

Speciality

  • Group HIIT

  • Studio cycling

Coaching

  • Small group personal training

  • Personal training packages

Favourite movement

  • Wall walk

Least favourite...

  • Pull ups!

Favourite post-workout snack

  • Babybel

Favourite workout tune

  • Find me by Sigma / VIP remix

Kelly-Jo Robson

KELLY-JO
Robson

Coach

Qualifications/Certs

  • Personal Training L3

  • British Weightlifting L2

  • Strength and Conditioning L4+

  • BSc(Hons) Sport and Exercise Science

  • Gymnastics L2

  • Corrective exercise specialist qualified

  • Performance enhancement specialist qualified

Speciality

  • Weightlifting coach

  • Strength and conditioning

  • Flexibility training

Coaching

  • 1-to-1 coaching

  • Group coaching

  • Online programming

Favourite movement

  • Snatch

Least favourite...

  • Deadlift

Favourite post-workout snack

  • Chocolate

Favourite workout tune

  • Lose Yourself by Eminem

ADAM
Haydon

Coach

Qualifications/Certs

  • Level 3 PT

  • BSc Hons Exercise Science

Speciality

  • Beginner friendly strength coaching

Coaching

  • Programme-only

  • Online coaching

  • 1-to-1 coaching

  • Weightloss and habit coaching

Favourite movement

  • Bench press

Least favourite...

  • Bicep curls

Favourite post-workout snack

  • Lidl bakery pretzel

Favourite workout tune

  • Liquor & Cigarettes by Chase & Status

CLAIRE
Castle

Coach

Qualifications/Certs

  • Level 3 PT

  • Level 2 Assistant Rowing Coach (British Rowing)

  • Level 3 GP Referral

Speciality

  • Muscle building

  • Body recomp

  • Gym confidence

Coaching

  • Online coaching

  • 1-to-1, 2-to-1 coaching

  • Nutrition plans and guidance

Favourite movement

  • Romanian deadlift

Least favourite...

  • Bulgarian split squats

Favourite post-workout snack

  • Eggs on toast

Favourite workout tune

  • Breathe by The Prodigy