Where Are They Now?

This week we shine a spotlight on former Our Lady’s student Brad Walker. Whilst at school, Brad was a star on the sports field enjoying cross country, athletics, football and just about everything in between. He continues to work in fitness and personal training but he has also taken on youth mentoring to support young people and help them make wiser more considered life choices. Brad has worked with students at Our Lady’s and we recently caught up with him to find out more.

1. What has been you career journey since leaving school? Please talk about any college courses you studied as well as any work.

Once I left school I went to Hopwood Hall College to study for a BTEC in Sport, I was also enrolled in a football academy, I took me a while to knuckle down to my studies but by my second year, I was on track and achieved my qualification goals. As a young person I was tempted by activities that didn’t serve my greater good and I lost my way for a short while but it was my love of sports that saved me again. I have since trained as a fitness instructor, personal trainer, FA Coach and as a youth mentor.

3. What are your personal or professional hopes, aspirations or goals for the future?

Personally, my focus is to grow and develop and to remain consistent in my approach to being the best version of myself.

Professionally, I want to give back to other people, especially young people from a similar background to me I want them to achieve their potential and not make the same mistakes I was tempted by. Sport and mentoring both have transformative powers and can really broaden people’s horizons so I want to reach as many people as I can and help them to grow too.

4. What is your favourite memory from your time at school?

Being on all of the sports teams, I was on the basketball, football, athletics team, I ran cross country you name it I was involved! Actively participating in leading the school to sporting victories is always a great memory whether it is a personal win or shared with a team, the feeling of sporting triumph gives you a massive boost of self-esteem and sense of achievement.

2. What do you do now and who do you do it for?

I am self employed and work as personal trainer and conditioning coach, I really enjoy helping people to train and work towards their bespoke fitness goals. This also supports my work in mentoring the youth and helping them to see all of the possibilities available to them so they can make choices that will benefit them now and their future selves.

5. Is there anything you would like to change from your time at school?

In retrospect, I wish I had given more focus to my learning and my exams but I was distracted by other things. The time we spend at school is so important because once you leave you can’t return and do it again. I wish that I had trusted the process and listened to my teacher’s advice.

6. Are there any values or messages that have served you well from your time at Our Lady’s?

I think the phrase ‘short steps, long vision’ sums it up you need to pay attention to the details in the here and now to effect real growth for the future. Trust the process and be patient.

If you would like to know more please follow Instagram: Brad mentoring coach Brad Performance Coach

Twitter: @results_base