How Boxing, Movement, and Coaching Changed Kieran Gives’ Approach to Fitness

Vanessa welcomes coach Kieran Gives for a conversation about his journey from plumbing to personal training—and how boxing and movement shaped the way he coaches. They explore patience, learning through mistakes, in-person feedback, and building strength for everyday life.Kieran shares why training should fit around life, not take it over, and why progress is rarely a straight line. Whether the goal is to box, walk farther, lift with confidence, or keep up with your kids, the conversation is a reminder to train for what matters to you.

In this episode

• Kieran’s path from plumbing to coaching—and how his own fitness journey inspired him to help others.
• Why training for capability can be more meaningful than focusing only on calories or appearance.
• How boxing can bring together movement, breath, focus, and a sense of presence.
• Why in-person coaching offers real-time feedback and helps people learn from mistakes.
• The value of patience, managing frustration, and accepting that skills take time to develop.
• How regressions, fundamentals, and adjusting intensity to the day can support steady progress.
• Why strength training can help people stay capable and independent as they get older.
• Kieran’s advice for coaches: understand each person’s goals and help them find a realistic path forward.

Key takeaways

• Train for a goal that matters in your life.
• Progress isn’t always linear; returning to the fundamentals is part of learning.
• Consistency and patience can matter more than short-term intensity.
• A good coach can offer feedback, realistic expectations, and a path tailored to you.

Notable quotes

“Random training, random results.”

“The body is tremendously complicated, but it can be simplified.”

“Long-term consistency is going to get you there.”

KIERAN GEEVES PT

I became a trainer because I know what it’s like to feel out of shape, move with pain, and not know where to start. Discovering how good it feels to move well, feel strong, and actually enjoy training changed everything for me — and that’s what I help others find too. Over the past six and a half years, I’ve worked with incredible mentors and helped hundreds of people move pain-free, step into the ring for their first boxing fight, and build bodies that can handle whatever life throws at them — from running around with the kids to hiking with friends.

My coaching is personal, down-to-earth, and focused on lasting results. I combine boxing, strength, mobility, gymnastics rings, and handstand training to help people move better, build confidence, and find joy in the process. I also love coaching kids in boxing — teaching them coordination, focus, and self-belief through movement sets them up for life. I don’t believe in quick fixes; I believe in building skills, understanding your body, and finding a way to train that you actually look forward to.

About Your Host:

Vanessa holds a BSc in Sports Science and brings nearly 20 years of experience in the fitness industry. As a respected Movement Therapist, she combines scientific and holistic approaches to deliver high-quality training for both individuals and groups. Driven by a passion for learning and improvement, Vanessa’s mission as an expert generalist is to help others find betterment in their lives. Vanessa trains clients and fitness professionals across Australia, consults for Technogym, and is an accomplished presenter at International Fitness Conferences. Her guiding ethos is simple: do things BETTER!