We understand that keeping active either with or beyond cancer can be a challenging time. The experienced and compassionate iCan team provide a safe and supportive environment where participants exercise at an appropriate level.
Meet our fantastic team
Gareth has been an Accredited Sport & Exercise Scientist since 1995 and became the owner and Director of Lifestyle Fitness & Physiotherapy in 2009.
From the late 1990’s he spent several years working as a Health, Physical Activity, Cardiovascular Health Lead and in regional senior partnership development roles etc. with a number of large organisations across sectors, including Government Office, Department of Health WM and Sport England (DCMS). He also worked for West Midlands Public Health Observatory and British Heart Foundation/ Natural England (DEFRA), helping lead the development and roll out of the national Walking the Way to Health programme. He previously worked as a Lecturer at Staffordshire University in Sport and Health Sciences and then for Lifestyle in the mid-1990’s primarily setting up and managing an Exercise for Health Centre for staff, patients and community Exercise on Referral at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.
Gareth is a CanRehab Exercise specialist and an assessor, tutor and previous regional Course Director for the British Association for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation(BACPR) and has lectured at University Centre Shrewsbury, Keele and Wolverhampton Universities. He has led the design and implementation of a number of health programmes (Musculoskeletal, Cardiac, Cancer, Weight Management, etc.) and has assessed and designed individual exercise and rehabilitation programmes for several thousand people with a wide range of clinical, lifestyle behaviour, activity and fitness needs .
Gareth has been a voluntary Judo Coach for over forty years and is currently 5th Dan Black belt and Head Coach at Wrekin Star Judo Club, based in Telford. He has previously worked with the Great Britain team in Sport Science and Coaching support roles and has coached all levels, for all age groups(from 6-80) and for people that may need specific adaptations. He has coached novices through to Black belt and a London 2012 Olympics TeamGB member, British and International Champions and medallists at Commonwealth Games.
Gareth enjoys keeping active and likes to be outside, walking on the hills with his dog or riding his road bike (without his dog!)
From the late 1990’s he spent several years working as a Health, Physical Activity, Cardiovascular Health Lead and in regional senior partnership development roles etc. with a number of large organisations across sectors, including Government Office, Department of Health WM and Sport England (DCMS). He also worked for West Midlands Public Health Observatory and British Heart Foundation/ Natural England (DEFRA), helping lead the development and roll out of the national Walking the Way to Health programme. He previously worked as a Lecturer at Staffordshire University in Sport and Health Sciences and then for Lifestyle in the mid-1990’s primarily setting up and managing an Exercise for Health Centre for staff, patients and community Exercise on Referral at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.
Gareth is a CanRehab Exercise specialist and an assessor, tutor and previous regional Course Director for the British Association for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation(BACPR) and has lectured at University Centre Shrewsbury, Keele and Wolverhampton Universities. He has led the design and implementation of a number of health programmes (Musculoskeletal, Cardiac, Cancer, Weight Management, etc.) and has assessed and designed individual exercise and rehabilitation programmes for several thousand people with a wide range of clinical, lifestyle behaviour, activity and fitness needs .
Gareth has been a voluntary Judo Coach for over forty years and is currently 5th Dan Black belt and Head Coach at Wrekin Star Judo Club, based in Telford. He has previously worked with the Great Britain team in Sport Science and Coaching support roles and has coached all levels, for all age groups(from 6-80) and for people that may need specific adaptations. He has coached novices through to Black belt and a London 2012 Olympics TeamGB member, British and International Champions and medallists at Commonwealth Games.
Gareth enjoys keeping active and likes to be outside, walking on the hills with his dog or riding his road bike (without his dog!)
Kelly Macdonald is a qualified mindfulness practitioner, approved by the British Psychological Society. Kelly works within a Support for Learning department at an independent school in Edinburgh, alongside studying a Psychology BSc. After retiring from elite sport in 2018, she found Mindfulness to be a powerful tool, and she is delighted to be sharing this with others today. Kelly feels passionately about making a real difference to the lives of those she works with and is full of gratitude for the opportunity to be supporting others in growing their mindfulness toolbox.
Kim is the programmes manager and co-founder of iCan, and very often the first person you will come across when enquiring about the programme.
Kim has over 10 years experience working in physical activity and health, and graduated from the University of Worcester with Masters degree in Applied Sports Science in 2014. She has provided lifestyle behaviour change support for people of all health conditions and specialises in those living with or beyond cancer. Kim has a passion for supporting others and the iCan programme was borne when Kim realised that there was no structured cancer rehabilitation programme to support people with cancer, and she aspired to change this.
During her free time, Kim uses the principles of physical activity and mindfulness for herself, one of her favourite places to do this is in the Shropshire Hills with her Springer Spaniel.
Christina has always had a medical interest as previously she worked with head and neck cancer and trauma as a Maxillo Facial Nurse.
Christina also has specialist exercise qualifications in cancer, cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, obesity and diabetes, postural stability instruction (falls prevention), and mental health.
In addition to iCan, Christina works for Energize STW, an Active Partnership that looks to improve the quality of life for people through the benefits of physical activity.
Christina is passionate about helping individuals to live life well who are living with health conditions, combining mental well-being and physical exercise.
She loves being outdoors with her dog Theo walking or running, or on her SUP board paddling about on the river!
Christina also has specialist exercise qualifications in cancer, cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, obesity and diabetes, postural stability instruction (falls prevention), and mental health.
In addition to iCan, Christina works for Energize STW, an Active Partnership that looks to improve the quality of life for people through the benefits of physical activity.
Christina is passionate about helping individuals to live life well who are living with health conditions, combining mental well-being and physical exercise.
She loves being outdoors with her dog Theo walking or running, or on her SUP board paddling about on the river!
Daryl has over 20 years' experience as a trainer and coach within the health and fitness industry. He has owned his fitness training and coaching business for over 20 years, predominantly working in the City and West End of London with clients requiring specialist exercise, support, and training. This has included clients with knee and hip replacements, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, multiple sclerosis, obesity, diabetes, perimenopause, and menopause. He has helped clients in their health improvement and weight loss journeys, some of whom have lost up to 50kg.
He has worked with businesses to facilitate in implementing long term wellbeing strategies in companies with up to 100 employees. Clients have included Coca Cola, The BBC, The FA, Which? as well as numerous law firms, construction and media companies, all based in London.
Since moving back to Shropshire in 2019, Daryl is enjoying working with the iCan team and participants. In his spare time, he enjoys watching football, running, gardening, and looking after his various animals!
How can iCan help you?
The iCan programme is an invaluable resource for anyone who is living with cancer and looking to improve their quality of life through activity. At the end of the 5-week iCan programme, participants will have gained a range of tools and strategies to help them continue on their path towards recovery and wellbeing.
