Strong Friend Kelly Beahan: S&C coach to top athletes, an athlete herself and so much more
Kelly and I met at the Australian Strength and Conditioning yearly conference in Melb in 2013 while I was living in Sydney. After that, I spent time as part of my training working with the Cronulla Sharks with Kelly.
Apart from being an athlete in her own right, Kelly is one of the most successful S&C coaches that I know. Her CV reads like a who’s who of Australian sports stars.
At the time when Kelly started out as a coach, it was so tough to break into S&C, especially in male professional sports teams (news flash: it’s still hard). Kelly never took no for answer and has built an amazing career.
Currently, she is S&C Coach for Australian Winter Olympians, particular Sam Tait, one of Australia’s most successful Paralympians.
Meet Kelly
I'm working with Australian Winter Olympic Sport in the disciplines of Paralympic Super G and Downhill racing.
My own sport? I actually find myself striving to learn skills in whatever sport I coach. Cricket was a challenge - catching or hitting a hard leather ball was so alien to me! Skiing and snowboarding are new skills I'm trying really hard to master too but growing up I played horseback polo competitively.
I enjoy trying all sports and coaching paralympian athletes, I've had the opportunity to try some different ones, indoor skydiving, para ice hockey and wheelchair tennis. All incredibly tough!
I love my little family, animals, the environment and trying my hand at business. As far as work is concerned, I really enjoy helping people rehab. There's so much gratitude and joy in seeing results. I spent some time recently at a Spinal Cord Injury Centre and the camaraderie sparked such happiness. That's the type of community I like building.
Describe the journey that got you to where you are today?
I started out as a pilates instructor and rehab assistant for Wests Tigers NRL team. That's the kind of role women were routinely offered 11 years ago. I was incredibly fortunate to work with a group of male coaches who let me assist their sessions and helped me grow as a coach until I moved to Australian Rugby Union as Rehabilitation Coordinator and Assistant S&C. Then to Cronulla Sharks as Rehabilitation Coordinator, Cricket NSW as S&C for their pathway project then Cricket NSW Breakers Head S&C. From there I was Head S&C Sydney Thunder with the T20 Big Bash League and finally Technical Lead for Winter Paralympian Sam Tait who has recently qualified for Paris 2024 Summer Paralympics as well. It's been quite a journey, now that I see it all in print :)
What’s great and what is difficult about what you do?
As a hands on Mum who adores being a big part of family life, travel away for 8-12 weeks at a time is tough. I'm not complaining - it's just that you asked me what is difficult and that is what came to mind first :). What else is hard? Working with paraplegic athletes who are only upper body. I'm getting better at programming both strength and conditioning without falling victim to overloading but at first I would forget that everything upper body we did in the gym affected their daily life as well. One day I challenged Sam so hard that he couldn't lift himself into his car for 30 minutes. So he needs to be both strong enough to propel himself down a mountain at 130kpm and be able to escape uninjured if he crashes out at same speed, conditioned enough to maintain his heart rate around threshold so he can make good decisions at speed, maintain his reaction and agility but still be able to get himself in and out of his chair, car, bed and move around. Actually that's the most difficult!
What's great? The same things I said were difficult. Honestly, I've learned SO much and met the BEST people working in this industry. Working outside, getting to travel, meeting people form different countries, the opportunity to work overseas, being friendly with coaches from opposing teams. Like I said - the camaraderie makes me so happy
What does your personal exercise routine look like?
I met Joel Jamieson from www.8weeksout.com several years ago and he has since asked me to be his Australian distributor for the morpheus band which is a tool used to measure daily HRV values. So I train based often on those values. The big picture though is 2x per week development sessions which means high HR mixed conditioning - prowler, sprints, battle ropes, boxing, ski erg, dead balls, med balls, assault bike, rower. 2x per week conditioning zone using the above tools at more moderate weights OR different rep ranges and 2x per week low HR. Often I use bodyweight movements for low HR like push ups, pull ups (though no one rocks a pull up like Grace Brown!) split squats, walking lunges, kettlebell swings or anything kettlebell... I rarely do olympic lifting these days. I really prefer single leg work and find for me - more injury prevention benefits.
What role does competing in sports play in your life?
Playing competitive sport has taught me to celebrate the little wins. I've realised they are truly important in terms of maintaining momentum toward a goal that can be 4 years away in an olympic cycle for athletes. Personally - it's taught me the ability to be consistent - something I don't think I have naturally. But consistency brings many rewards, physically and mentally.
What is the one thing that you wish people knew about the Strength & Conditioning for the sports world?
How about 2 things? (Because I didn't read the question properly?) You only see the highlight reel. Not every session is an all out effort. There's way less hustle than people think - And when you win, the celebrations last for a day before you start prepping to do it all again but better next time. The athletes might go party but the coaches are bleary eyed at midnight looking at data and developing strategy :)
Where can people find you online?
twitter @kellybeahan and instagram @itskel
