Strength by Taggart

20/05/2026

Back when I was hanging around...

10/03/2026

Rehab is more than just rest—it’s a metabolic process. 🧬

An Achilles rupture is a massive hit to the system. At 115kg, the load on my tendon is significant, so my recovery protocol has to be clinical. I’m not just waiting for the "knit"—I’m fueling the architecture.

Here is the daily stack I’m using to keep atrophy at bay and accelerate collagen synthesis:

✅ The Foundation: 50g Bovine Collagen + Vitamin C (The essential pairing for tendon repair).

✅ The Protection: NAC and Turmeric to manage systemic inflammation without blunting the healing signal.

✅ The Muscle Guard: 5g Creatine + 250g Total Protein to protect that hard-earned mass while I’m non-weight bearing.

✅ The CNS Support: High-dose Magnesium Glycinate & Zinc for deep recovery and sleep.

Recovery is a full-time job. If you aren't fueling the repair, you're just wasting time.

06/03/2026

A fairly dry read. But this is the research paper and protocol I will be following. The Leicester Achilles Management Protocol from University Hospitals of Leicester. In the Vacoped Boot.

The basics:
0–4 weeks Boot locked in 30 degrees plantarflexion
4–6 weeks Boot dynamised 15–30 degrees plantarflexion - Move to 1 Crutch
6–8 weeks Boot dynamised 0–30 degrees plantarflexion - Move to no crutches
At 8 weeks Boot removed. Long Rehab journey begins:

Week 8 - 20 - Restoration - Learn to walk, drive, regain gait, calf function
Week 20 - 32 - Strengthen - Return to load slowly in gym.
Week 32 - 48 - Plyometrics - Explosive power
Week 48+ Return to sport protocol



https://oped-uk.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/ARTICLE-Non-operative-functional-treatment-for-acute-Achilles-Tendon-Ruptures-The-Leicester-Achilles-Management-Protocol-LAMP.pdf

24/02/2026

New Year, New... Cast? 🦵🧵

Well, 120kg of "athlete" was officially too much for my Achilles to handle. One loud "pop" at football practice—which honestly felt like a sneaky baseball bat to the leg—and I’ve traded the pitch for the sofa.

The Achilles is the strongest tendon in the body, but apparently, mine decided it needed a sabbatical.

I’m currently in an equinus cast (yes, I’m basically a 120kg ballerina for now) waiting to see the specialist in two weeks to decide on the road ahead. This comes just as I finished a 12-month marathon rehabbing my ACL from last year... so at least I know all the best Netflix shows already! 🍿

I’m a Strength Coach by trade, but my current specialty is "Tactical Coffee Transport." Trying to get a hot brew from the kitchen to the sofa on crutches is the most high-stakes training I’ve ever done. ☕️🏃‍♂️

While I’m off my feet for 1-on-1s, the coaching doesn't stop—it just goes digital! My Online Coaching and Programming is fully open. If you want a plan built on real-world resilience (and a coach who is literally living the rehab life with you), let's get to work.

Link in bio to join the team. Round 2, let’s make it a good one! 👊

16/02/2026

Results emailed out. Thank you all for coming along. Check your inboxs. :)

Forget the chocolates—how’s your heart actually doing? ❤️💪

This Valentine’s Day, I’m back at Core Gym for another round of our Strength & Longevity Audits. While everyone else is focusing on dinner reservations, we’re focusing on the "Vital Signs" that really matter. I’ll be running our 4 key tests—including the Deadhang, which is one of the best clinical predictors of cardiovascular health and long-term vitality.

If you have tested before, no harm in trying again.

📍 Core Gym (By the 50" Screen)
🗓️ This Saturday (Valentine’s Day)
⏱️ Takes 10 minutes | Free
🎁 The Valentine's Gift: I’ll send you a personalized report on Monday ranking you against the global clinical standards and the rest of the gym.

Whether you want to bring your partner for some friendly competition or just want to show your own heart some love, come say hello! Let's see if you can knock our current female champions off the leaderboard. 🏆

12/02/2026

Forget the chocolates—how’s your heart actually doing? ❤️💪

This Valentine’s Day, I’m back at Core Gym for another round of our Strength & Longevity Audits. While everyone else is focusing on dinner reservations, we’re focusing on the "Vital Signs" that really matter. I’ll be running our 4 key tests—including the Deadhang, which is one of the best clinical predictors of cardiovascular health and long-term vitality.

If you have tested before, no harm in trying again.

📍 Core Gym (By the 50" Screen)
🗓️ This Saturday (Valentine’s Day)
⏱️ Takes 10 minutes | Free
🎁 The Valentine's Gift: I’ll send you a personalized report on Monday ranking you against the global clinical standards and the rest of the gym.

Whether you want to bring your partner for some friendly competition or just want to show your own heart some love, come say hello! Let's see if you can knock our current female champions off the leaderboard. 🏆

10/02/2026

Read about my story in the local press.

A strength coach who has worked behind the scenes at some of the world’s biggest sporting events, including the Paris Olympics, has returned to Northern Ireland after 19 years away to launch a new training service on the North Coast.

06/02/2026

Tomorrow at Core Gym, I'm running an Athletic & Longevity Audit.

If you’ve been curious about how you’re tracking for long-term health and performance, this is for you. It's also a great chance for me to meet many of you as I'm the new face about the place.

I’ll be hanging out by the big screen from 0800 to 1400 to walk you through 4 quick clinical tests. It takes about 10 minutes, there’s zero pressure, its a bit of fun and it’s a great way to see where you’re at.

What’s in it for you? Receive a personalized report in your inbox ranking you against global standards and your fellow gym members. See if their are any holes in your training that need plugged.

I’m looking forward to meeting more of you on the gym floor—come over, say hi, and let’s see if you can beat the "Blind Flamingo" balance test! 🦩

See you tomorrow! 👊