A teenager who doctors warned would never walk has defied the odds by becoming a personal trainer.
Ciaran Kinlan, who lives with cerebral palsy, has battled bullying and low confidence throughout his childhood because of his condition. But after transforming his physical and mental health through training at Raise The Bar gym in Kilsyth, the 19-year-old from the area is now preparing to become a fully qualified personal trainer.
From Splints to First Steps
Ciaran was just one-year-old when his parents realised he was not reaching the milestones expected of a tot. After taking him to doctors for tests, they were told he had cerebral palsy and that he would never walk.
The youngster was then fitted with splints for his right side and underwent physiotherapy before defying the odds and taking his first steps when he was nearly three-years-old. Even today, everyday tasks like tying his shoelaces can be difficult, but Ciaran refuses to let his disability affect him or dictate his future.
Overcoming Bullying and Building Confidence
Growing up, Ciaran faced bullying at school because of his condition. He said: “Growing up in primary and high school, I was bullied for my cerebral palsy. I tried to never let it get to me but it did affect my confidence.”
When he first walked through the doors of the Raise The Bar gym in January, those old fears came flooding back. He continued: “I was so shy and nervous because I was scared people would judge me for my cerebral palsy. But I couldn't have been more wrong, everyone was so welcoming.”
Transformation and Future Plans
Ciaran has not missed a single session in seven months, starting with mobility work using bands before progressing into weight training. He credits the gym’s owners, as well as PTs who work there, for helping with his transformation.
He said: “The transformation, physically and mentally, has been crazy since I first started here. I am so confident now and look unrecognisable to how I did before.” The experience has inspired Ciaran to turn his passion into a career, with his PT qualification expected to be completed within the next four weeks.
The Tesco worker hopes to use his own experiences to show people with disabilities that they should never be afraid to take the first step. He said: “People with disabilities will probably be in the same position I was, fearing they will be judged and not welcomed for trying to better themselves. I want to show them otherwise and support them on their journey.”
He added: “To be able to help just one person, will mean the world to me. My journey doesn’t stop here, this is just the start for me to help people. Life is too short not to help folk and I want to lead by example, as I know how it feels to be picked on. If we all act like that, the world will be a better place.”
Ciaran said: “Now I am going to be a personal trainer. That just shows you that with hard work, you can do anything. Now it’s time for me to write my own story.” To get in touch for a session, visit his social media @KinlanPT or email kinlanpt2026@gmail.com.
