Meet the team at Motion Performance
Our team of experienced coaches, dietitians and physiotherapists are dedicated to helping you move better, lift stronger, and perform at your peak.
Whether you're chasing your first competition or breaking records, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Thomas Brannick
Head Coach
Hi, I’m Tom, a powerlifting coach with over eight years of experience guiding athletes to reach their peak performance. I hold a degree in Sports Performance and Exercise Development, an IPF Level 2 qualification, and several other combining my academic knowledge with practical expertise. I have honed my skills through years of hands-on experience, working with a diverse range of athletes from beginners to international lifters.
I’ve had the honour of competing for Team GB and Team England on the world stage, participating in World, European, and Commonwealth competitions. These experiences have not only sharpened my competitive edge but have also deepened my understanding of what it takes to excel in powerlifting at the highest levels.
My coaching philosophy is rooted in a deep understanding of lifting biomechanics, programming, and long-term development for longevity. I believe that success in powerlifting is built on a foundation of smart, individualized programming that takes into account each athlete's unique strengths and areas for improvement. I’m extremely passionate about helping clients achieve their strength goals while prioritizing their long-term health and performance.
Each program is meticulous and personalized, ensuring that every athlete, regardless of their level, receives tailored guidance. Whether I’m working with a novice lifter or an international competitor, I focus on building solid technique, enhancing performance through technique development and fostering a mindset geared towards continuous improvement. I take immense pride in helping individuals unlock their full potential in the pursuit of strength and the sport of powerlifting.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Science in Sports Performance and Exercise Development
IPF Coaching License (International Powerlifting Federation)
Jamie Jonathan Foord
Powerlifting Coach
Hey, I'm JJ, a dedicated and no-nonsense powerlifting coach, committed to helping my athletes unlock their full potential. I’ve spent years refining my approach to coaching, ensuring every client achieves their goals—not just in the gym but in every aspect of their performance.
My journey into powerlifting started when I was a fresher at Nottingham Trent University, and since then, I’ve immersed myself in the world of strength sports, becoming the British National Champion in 2024. I’ve trained, competed, and coached at the highest levels, always pushing myself and my athletes to exceed their limits. My coaching philosophy is simple: train with purpose, master your technique, and stay consistent.
As a coach, I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. I take the time to understand each athlete's unique strengths, goals, and life circumstances, creating tailored programs that drive real, measurable progress. Whether you're a beginner looking to build a solid foundation or an experienced lifter aiming to compete at the international level, I’ll provide the structure, accountability, and expertise you need to break through plateaus and reach your full potential.
I won’t sugar-coat things or give you empty motivation—I’ll give you honest, results-driven coaching that challenges you to level up. If you're ready to put in the work, commit to the process, and push beyond what you thought possible… let’s get started.
Qualifications
4 Years of Coaching
IPF Coaching License (International Powerlifting Federation)
National Champion 2024
International Medallist
Laura Haywood
Student Dietician
Hi! I’m Laura Haywood, a student dietitian at the University of Nottingham and an NPC figure competitor. After many years of training in the gym, I finally stepped on a bodybuilding stage in 2024, where I took the overall title at the 2bros ZF Games regional show and became the British champion at the TBJP 2bros British Championships in my figure class. These achievements fuel my dedication to both strength training and nutrition.
My journey into dietetics was inspired by IFBB pro bodybuilders like John Jewett and Chris Tuttle, who exemplify the importance of optimising nutrition for success in sports. Living with coeliac disease has provided me with valuable trial-and-error experiences to maximise my diet. I’m committed to helping others navigate food allergies, intolerances, and digestive issues—or those who simply want to ensure their diet aligns with their training needs. I understand the challenges these conditions present, and I’m eager to assist individuals in finding enjoyable, nutrient-rich solutions that fit their unique dietary requirements.
I believe digestion is paramount in strength sports. It’s not just about consuming calories; it’s about your body’s ability to absorb and utilise them effectively. Many people invest significant effort into their training but often overlook nutrition, focusing solely on calories and macros while neglecting micronutrients, digestibility, and nutrient timing.
I’m excited to be working alongside the team at Motion, where I’ll be offering nutrition coaching that complements their holistic approach to health and performance. My mission is to optimise nutrition for athletes—by strength athletes, for strength athletes—while also supporting anyone facing dietary restrictions. Together, we aim to build resilience through movement and nutrition, ensuring everyone can achieve their goals while maintaining their health.
I look forward to hearing from you and helping you get your nutrition in check!
Qualifications
MNutr Nutrition and Dietetics (Pending)
Figure Junior British Champion 2024
Finn Wood
Strength & Conditioning Coach
Hi, I’m Finn, a Strength and Conditioning Coach working within elite sport, committed to helping athletes unlock their full potential and perform at their highest level. With a strong foundation in Sports Science, I take an evidence-based, data-driven approach to training, ensuring that each athlete receives the most effective and scientifically backed methods to enhance their performance. My philosophy is shaped not only by academic research but also by personal experiences as both an athlete and a coach, allowing me to bridge the gap between theory and practice in a way that is both practical and results-oriented.
Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working across various levels of sport, from University sports to the highly competitive environment of Premier League football. Each of these experiences has reinforced my passion for coaching and deepened my understanding of the diverse demands athletes face. I tailor my approach to meet the unique needs of each individual, ensuring that they have the tools, knowledge, and support necessary to achieve their goals.
For me, coaching is about more than just physical training—it’s about empowering athletes to make informed decisions about their development. By utilising individualised training strategies, I focus on eliminating common misconceptions in strength and conditioning, providing clarity and direction to each athlete’s development. My goal is to create an environment where athletes can focus on what truly matters: optimising their performance in the most effective way possible.
Qualifications
PhD Strength & Conditioning (c)
MSc Strength & Conditioning
BSc Sport & Exercise Science
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
Alec Myles Hewstone, MCSP
Head Physiotherapist
Hi! I’m Alec, chartered physiotherapist, powerlifting coach, and director of Motion Physiotherapy – and I want to help you build resilience, move better, and live pain-free.
My passion for helping people rid themselves of aches, pains, and injuries initially stemmed from my experiences as a coach and a lifter. After graduating with my undergraduate degree in Human Biology in 2016, I worked as a full-time powerlifting coach for several years, coaching university teams, my own team of athletes (#TeamHewstone), and was fortunate enough to be National Development Coach for GB Paralympic Powerlifting.
Over my coaching years, I developed a deep understanding of lifting biomechanics, programming, and exercise prescription. And I also came to understand one of the most critical priorities for lifters – to remain injury free.
As an ex-international level powerlifter, I’ve experienced my fair share of persistent injuries. Areas like my neck, back, shoulders, hips, knees, and others have all been affected in the past. But what stuck with me the most is how being injured makes you feel. It’s not just the pain; it’s how it can affect so many other areas of your life, taking away pleasure from things you once enjoyed.
Yet whenever my athletes or I sought treatment, it was either ineffective or didn’t align with powerlifting training. No athlete wants to be told, “just stop lifting weights”, and even worse, with no clear timeline for returning to sport. These experiences led me to pursue a master’s degree in physiotherapy.
My approach to physiotherapy is one with a firm focus on education and empowerment. As a physiotherapist with over ten years of coaching and lifting experience, I’m uniquely positioned to look at the whole picture and work with you and your coach to get you pain-free. I work with my clients to overcome their injuries without defaulting to “no more lifting for the foreseeable”.
I’ve worked with several athletes and non-athletes to rid themselves of even the most persistent of injuries and then keep it that way. And so, Motion was born.
Motion is the culmination of my experiences and philosophies around injury prevention, rehabilitation, and performance – and as the name suggests, my sole purpose is to keep you moving and moving pain-free.
So, if you want a no-BS approach to physiotherapy, the tools to fight off injuries in the future, and a physiotherapist who genuinely cares about your progress, you’ve come to the right place.
I’m looking forward to hearing from you!
Qualifications and Memberships
Bachelor of Science with Upper Second Class Honours in Human Biology (Loughborough University)
Master of Science with Distinction in Physiotherapy (Brunel University London)
IPF Coaching License (International Powerlifting Federation)
Level 3 Personal Trainer (Active IQ)
Level 3 Diploma in Sports Massage (ITEC)
Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
Member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists (CSP)
Alex Reid, MCSP
Physiotherapist
Hi! I’m Alex, a chartered musculoskeletal physiotherapist, and my goal is to help you regain confidence in movement, live pain-free, and perform at your best.
My passion for optimising health began at 18 as a personal trainer, where I saw the profound impact exercise and accountability had on individuals physical and mental well-being. I built on this foundation with a Sports and Exercise Science degree, where I also served as Strength and Conditioning Coach for competitive university teams. I was fortunate to gain invaluable experience working in professional rugby for a year, giving me insights into performance optimisation, injury prevention, and injury rehabilitation in an elite sports setting. After earning my Physiotherapy MSc I have made it my mission to bring this elite-level performance and rehabilitation to all my clients.
Strength training has been a cornerstone of my life, as I approach my 12th year in semi-professional rugby. Over the years I have had a range of injuries, including knee ligament damage, a suspected neck fracture and numerus shoulder injuries. I truly understand how debilitating and intimidating pain can be, especially when it hinders you from performing at your best. Through these challenges I have gained first hand experience in managing injuries, and despite them, I have no intention of slowing down.
I take a holistic rehabilitation approach that is centred around you — your story, your training goals, and your road to recovery. I focus on empowering you with evidence-based tools and knowledge to understand your injuries and, most importantly, how to manage them for long-term pain-free movement and longevity.
If you’re struggling with an injury that’s holding you back and want a team that genuinely cares about your progress, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. I look forward to hearing from you and working together.
Qualifications and Memberships
Bachelor of Science with First Class Honours in Sports and Exercise Science (The University of Leeds)
Master of Science with Distinction in Physiotherapy (Brunel University London)
Level 3 Personal Trainer (Active IQ)
Level 3 Diploma in Sports Massage (ITEC)
Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
Member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists (CSP)