Inside Story - Nutrition Consultant



Cain

Age Range
26-35

Countries of Work
UK

Study and Career History
Cain Leathem is a leading Exercise and Nutrition Consultant, working on a freelance basis. During five years as the manager and staff trainer for Britain's largest specialist health and fitness store he studied aspects of the human body, exercise principles and nutrition, as well as other related disciplines. As such he has a wide range of academic studies to validate his knowledge, including his Masters Degree in Exercise and Nutrition Science. These studies are continual, you never stop learning if you want to be the best! As a highly qualified and experienced consultant Cain has achieved respect from his peers and has appeared on radio and T.V. (news items, debate programs and the Weakest Link "Body Beautiful" special!), has been featured in many specialist magazines and contributes to “The Times” newspaper. As a personal trainer and nutritionist his clients range from complete beginners desiring fat loss and health enhancement to international athletes in elite competition (many national champions...details on http://www.gbfitness.com. He is a specialist in functional training and core stability for both rehab and sports, a national judge for Body Building and is now the training director for N.A.B.B.A. Instructor/Personal Trainer courses, as well as an Advanced Diploma in Nutrition (he has achieved validation from many governing bodies for all of his courses). Cain prides himself on advancing the knowledge of his clients and students alike and his regimes often challenge the concepts that many believe to be true. His expertise has taken him as far afield as Kenya, where his skills as a multi-talented therapist were required on a private contract. Cain He advises people “DON’T JUST DO IT- DO IT RIGHT!”.

How long have you been doing the job?
4 years

Did you decide on your career path or did it all happen by accident?
After completing 5 years in the Royal Air Force as an Aircraft Weapons Technician I travelled the USA for several months and caught the Fitness bug. I wanted to add some muscular bodyweight but on my return to England found very little "quality" information. So I decided to learn.. I got a job with Weider Health Stores for 1 year ...on to Workout World for 5 years as their Area Manager covering stores in Birmingham, Belfast, Newcastle and Stratford. During this time my academic studies were extensive and knowledge gained from customers/clients lead me to set up my own business...GB Fitness - for Exercise & Nutrition advice and training.

How did you get your "Glamour Job" ?
Own business set up totally self sufficient once I gained the knowledge required and the contacts/respect of the leaders in the industry.

What does the job involve?
This will vary in emphasis depending upon the client’s needs but generally consists of a full body composition assessment (lean body weight, fat weight, lean/fat percentages, hydration levels and calorie requirement), blood pressure and heart rate check followed by an assessment of the clients current dietary program. Then an individual and mutually agreed eating plan will be constructed, with a view to achieving the desired goals, along with a supplementation program if required. Personal training This is carried out (post consultation to assess the client’s goals, health history etc.) at either a gym that the client is currently a member of or at a suitable location that is convenient. The structure of the workouts can vary but generally consist of resistance (weight) training, cardiovascular conditioning and stretching. Also seminars and corporate programs are offered, which are tailored to individual requirements.

Describe a typical day at work.
Very varied!!
Now situated primarily at one health club ( I used to visit many clubs but that takes its toll on your timetable!).
Will se a great range of clients from house wives needing a little fat loss, to clients who need rehab work post injury/operation, to the guy in the gym who wants to add a little muscle up to elite athletes requiring the VERY BEST in training and nutrition advice in order to win many championship competitions. I may do a 10-12 hour day that will see a variation of the above with some days all personal training, some body fat testing and nutrition/supplementation advice and then on weekends I often hold my educational courses for students getting into or progressing in the health and fitness industry. Some evenings I hold seminars in health clubs/businesses to educate the members so as to achieve the best from their programs.. all in all it's a busy life...but I love it!

What do you like most about the job?
The sense of satisfaction of knowing that I am one of the best at what I do and that my peers come to me for advice/training.

The reward when one of my clients/students exceeds their expectations and realises a dream that they may have given up on in the past - be it a fat loss target or national title.

What don’t you like about your job – if anything?
The long hours can wear you down but the positives keep me going.

Sometime the ignorance of others in the industry can be very annoying, but it makes me stand out all the better!

During your teenage years did you have much vocational guidance from school, university, family or friends? What was your biggest influence?
I was in the Air Cadets and always set on going into the Armed Forces - which I did with the Royal Air Force at 17 and half.

This along with a strict father taught me discipline and to do what I did to the best of my ability and often beyond!

If you took end of school examinations did you get exam results you were happy with from your education?
I left school with 6 'O' levels/equivalents ( I was fairly happy but now I feel I could have done better, it's worked out fine as I have studied what I want/need at a very high level since).
I went to college to do 'A' levels in English Lit, Psychology and Theatre Studies..but left to join the RAF before finishing them.

I left school with 6 'O' levels/equivalents ( I was fairly happy but now I feel I could have done better, it's worked out fine as I have studied what I want/need at a very high level since).
I went to college to do 'A' levels in English Lit, Psychology and Theatre Studies..but left to join the RAF before finishing them.

Do you think that what you studied in school or in your further education was right for the career you are in now? Any regrets?
No regrets...my studies since have been much more relevant.

Have you taken further studies since leaving secondary or tertiary school. If yes, what did you study and why did you decide you needed more qualifications?
QUALIFICATIONS.
1980-1985 6 O’ Levels. (inc. English, Maths and Physics).
1987-1988 Specialist Aircraft Technical Qualifications - City and Guilds Aeronautical Engineering & City and Guilds Electrical Specialist Skills. 1992 E.F.B.B. Gym Instructor Certificate. 1996 Advanced Nutrition Intensive Course (@ Institute for Optimum Nutrition). 1997 Diplomas in: Nutrition, Anatomy and Physiology, and Body Massage. Certificate in Sports Massage. 1998 City and Guilds 7307 Teacher -Training Cert. Sports Stretching Certificate. E.F.B.B. Sports Nutrition Certificate. Plaskett Nutritional Medicine College Certificate. Core Strength and Stability Certificate. 1999 British Red Cross First Aid Cert. 2001 C.H.E.K. Swiss Ball Training Course. C.H.E.K. Neuro Developmental Approach to Conditioning. Appointed N.A.B.B.A. Training Course Director. 2002 C.H.E.K. Advanced Program Design. Currently completing a Masters Degree in Exercise and Nutrition Science at University College Chester (Liverpool University). Chosen areas of specialist study (all passed) include: Measurement and Evaluation of Physical Fitness, Science of Weight Control, Exercise and Health, Physiology and Physical Performance, Physiology and Biochemistry of Nutrition, Effects of Exercise Regimes on Body Composition.

What was your first job?
From college first full time job was as an Aircraft Weapons Technician in the RAF

What has been your most bizarre or challenging job to date?
...possible the above at the time of the Gulf War..as I was waiting to leave!

What is your ultimate goal.... is this it, or do you have a pinnacle you have yet to reach?
To expand the work I have done, to train more great trainers and increase the standards of this, often poorly trained/respected, industry.

What are your top tips for personal success?
Work hard.
Study all you can that you may EVER have to apply.
Respect those who are not as dedicated as you and help those that are.

Any comments?
“DON’T JUST DO IT- DO IT RIGHT!”.

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Find out more about Cain, visit the website http://www.gbfitness.com