The Teacher Who Turned Kettlebells into a Calling
English Kettlebells Association Exclusive Feature
“Start where you are, use what you have, and don’t be afraid to fail. Every setback teaches you something.”
— Simon Trenholm
When you meet Simon Trenholm, or Si as the kettlebell community fondly knows him, you immediately sense the quiet strength behind his easy-going demeanour. He’s a coach, an educator, a mentor, and a motivator — a man who’s turned resilience into an art form and made it his mission to help others do the same.
His story is one of transformation — from a classroom teacher to a world-class kettlebell athlete and respected coach. And through it all, one thing has remained constant: a passion for helping others unlock their potential.
From the Classroom to the Competition Floor
Before kettlebells entered his life, Si’s world revolved around education.
“I originally trained as a teacher and taught for six years,” he recalls. “After that, I worked for a teaching agency, and eventually five of us started our own.”
That leap from employee to entrepreneur laid the foundation for everything that came next. Si didn’t just teach — he built, innovated, and led. “During that time, we started organising kettlebell sport events,” he adds. “It was about creating opportunities for people to get involved.”
Finding Strength in Setbacks
Like many great stories, Si’s began with a challenge.
“I’d just torn my meniscus and couldn’t run,” he says. “One of our supply teachers had done the same course as Ste [a fellow coach], came into the office talking about it, and Saira and I decided to organise a three-hour intro session. I was hooked from there.”
What started as rehab for an injury quickly became a lifelong passion.
“At first, I was just thinking about strength and weight loss for climbing,” he laughs. “But I never really looked back.”
Even a ruptured disc at a concert couldn’t stop him. “When I got back fit, Jez had stopped training people — so I found Ste, and the rest is history.”
“I’m proud of the kids we coach and of the team in general. Seeing their progress means more to me than anything.”
The Educator Turned Coach
Si’s teaching roots run deep — and they’re a huge part of why he’s such an effective coach.
“In an attempt to get more kids into the sport, I did a PT qualification and used my teaching background to get kettlebells into schools,” he explains. “I started doing one session a week in two schools while still working for the agency. I realised how much I enjoyed coaching and started doing more at TuNova as well.”
Those classroom skills — patience, communication, motivation — translated perfectly to the gym. His sessions became a space where young athletes didn’t just train, but learn.
Competition, Courage, and Community
Si’s first competition, the GSU Manchester, is one he remembers vividly.
“It was a biathlon,” he says. “I went out far too fast in the jerk and sort of managed to hang on until near the end of the ten minutes. I was so nervous that everything just went out of the window!”
Those early nerves gave way to hard-earned confidence — and results.
“I’m probably most proud of the silver and bronze I got in South Korea,” he says. “I was competing against big fields of athletes from all over the world, so to achieve that was pretty special.”
But medals, for Si, have never been the full story.
His true passion lies in people — in the community that lifts together, learns together, and grows together. “I don’t really have any secrets,” he says. “I’m fairly open — people in the community know most things. And if they don’t and want to know, they can always come talk to me.”
“We started organising kettlebell sport to grow the community. It’s about creating opportunities — especially for young people — to discover the sport and themselves through it.”
Building the Future of Kettlebell Sport
Now a respected name in the English Kettlebells Association and a leader at TuNova, Si continues to shape the next generation of athletes. His vision extends beyond podium finishes — it’s about making the sport accessible, exciting, and empowering for everyone.
That educator’s heart still drives everything he does. Whether he’s mentoring new lifters, coaching schools, or collaborating with other coaches, Si’s mission is clear: build people up.
Lessons in Lifting — and in Life
Ask Si what keeps him going, and his answer is refreshingly simple.
“It’s the people,” he says. “The team, the kids, the community — seeing them improve, overcome challenges, and believe in themselves. That’s what keeps me going.”
And for anyone hoping to follow his example?
“Start where you are, use what you have, and don’t be afraid to fail,” he says with a smile. “Every setback teaches you something. That’s true in sport, in teaching, and in business.”
Final Thoughts
Simon Trenholm’s journey proves that strength isn’t just about lifting weights — it’s about lifting people. From classrooms to competitions, from setbacks to podiums, he’s built a legacy grounded in resilience, learning, and community.
For Si, every rep, every class, and every challenge is another chance to grow — not just stronger, but better.