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Colin Donnelly
ITEC Qualified
Personal Trainer,
Fitness Instructor Gym Instructor
IYCA Certified International Youth Fitness Specialist
Certified Mental Health Coach
ITEC Qualified
Personal Trainer,
Fitness Instructor Gym Instructor
IYCA Certified International Youth Fitness Specialist
Certified Mental Health Coach
I work with autistic children ages three to 18 in a "frienship way, using fitness to create building blocks for self-esteem, self reliance and social interaction.
I am the founder of U-fit.
My individualized and group fitness programs have been proven to help autistic kids expand their capabilities and overcome challenges to learning, performance and socialization.
I enhance physical ability and achieve empowerment with fun, laughter, goal setting, visualizations and positivity and creativity.
My motto is that "everyone deserves to feel good about themselves"and that certainly rings through when it comes to Autism and physical activity.
"If he doesn’t play I’m not playing!”
(Colin aged 8)
That’s what I frequently told the other boys before leaving a game and walking home with my autistic brother, because no one wanted to select him to play on their team. It was hard, going home together. I was very good at sport and enjoyed it, but my love for my brother and my sense of ‘right and wrong’ made it easy for me to stand by my word. It was the 1980s and the word ‘autism’ wasn’t familiar among young boys and girls. Social exclusion in all aspects of life was very hard for me to accept, particularly when it directly impacted my older brother, whom I looked up to and admired. I always stood my ground and when we didn’t play with others, we played together, and I saw directly the positive impact exercise had on him.
Once I qualified as a fitness specialist and personal trainer, I was determined to play my part in making a change. I am the founder of U-fit, which started in Dublin, Ireland. I believe that fitness should be treated as a life skill and lifelong pursuit. Regardless of your age or ability, making time and having access to exercise and movement programs that meet your needs is crucial in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and outlook. This is why it matters so much more to those with ASD and it should not be ignored. Many sports and fitness organizations allude to being “inclusive” but often this is not the case and it is something which needs to be addressed.
I am the founder of U-fit.
My individualized and group fitness programs have been proven to help autistic kids expand their capabilities and overcome challenges to learning, performance and socialization.
I enhance physical ability and achieve empowerment with fun, laughter, goal setting, visualizations and positivity and creativity.
My motto is that "everyone deserves to feel good about themselves"and that certainly rings through when it comes to Autism and physical activity.
"If he doesn’t play I’m not playing!”
(Colin aged 8)
That’s what I frequently told the other boys before leaving a game and walking home with my autistic brother, because no one wanted to select him to play on their team. It was hard, going home together. I was very good at sport and enjoyed it, but my love for my brother and my sense of ‘right and wrong’ made it easy for me to stand by my word. It was the 1980s and the word ‘autism’ wasn’t familiar among young boys and girls. Social exclusion in all aspects of life was very hard for me to accept, particularly when it directly impacted my older brother, whom I looked up to and admired. I always stood my ground and when we didn’t play with others, we played together, and I saw directly the positive impact exercise had on him.
Once I qualified as a fitness specialist and personal trainer, I was determined to play my part in making a change. I am the founder of U-fit, which started in Dublin, Ireland. I believe that fitness should be treated as a life skill and lifelong pursuit. Regardless of your age or ability, making time and having access to exercise and movement programs that meet your needs is crucial in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and outlook. This is why it matters so much more to those with ASD and it should not be ignored. Many sports and fitness organizations allude to being “inclusive” but often this is not the case and it is something which needs to be addressed.
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