Tom Kirk

(BSc (hons), MSc, BC level 2 coach)

DYMONDstrength Associate Tutor 

Tom’s interest in nutrition was sparked when as an 18 year old he discovered from his team manager that a full English breakfast was not the ideal breakfast before a cycling stage race. After a year competing as a full time cyclist in France, Tom returned to the UK to complete a degree in Sports and Exercise Science at the University of Birmingham. It was there that a Sports Nutrition module taught by Professor Asker Jeukendrup reawakened his interest in using nutrition to improve athletic performance. To further his knowledge in this area Tom then undertook a Masters degree specialising in Sports and Exercise Nutrition at Loughborough University. Following a year teaching, Tom then completed a PhD in Exercise Physiology and Nutrition at Oxford Brookes University working with rowers from the University of Oxford Lightweight Rowing team. He now runs a cycling coaching company using his knowledge and experience in endurance sports to improve the performance of athletes of all levels whilst teaching at Oxford Brookes University on the Sports and Exercise Science and Sports Coaching degrees. Shirreffs which looked at the effect of sweat losses on assessment of salt consumption and continues to have a strong interest with hydration and performance. He is also currently studying for the IOC Diploma in Sports Nutrition.