Dr Diane Cooper

Dr Diane Cooper

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Email:  diane@truefitness.ie

Mobile:  087 2388748

Qualifications:

  • BSc Sports Science and Health (DCU)
  • PhD Exercise Physiology and Metabolism (DCU)
  • Awarded a highly competitive place on New Frontiers Phase 2 and Phase 3         
  • BACPR Phase IV Cardiac Rehabilitation Instructor
  • National Certificate in Exercise and Fitness (NCEF) Instructor
  • Numerous outdoor adventure qualifications (hill walking, mountain biking and kayaking) and in the fitness industry (pool lifeguard, spinning etc.)

Business Background:

I have been a partner in True Fitness since 2008 where I predominantly design and deliver our True Transformation healthy living programmes, our government funded programmes with Laois Sports Partnership, our suite of ‘Train the Trainer’ courses, our health and fitness workshops and also conduct human health research studies (online and in the community).

In 2019, I was awarded a position on New Frontiers Phase 2 and New Frontiers Phase 3. These are highly competitive entrepreneurial training programmes funded by Enterprise Ireland. During this time I focused on developing a particular business idea I have for a point-of-care device to assess metabolic health from a finger prick. I am currently developing this new business. I also competed in Irelands Best Young Entrepreneur competition during this time (2019). I won the Laois and Regional competitions and was an all Ireland finalist (one of eight businesses) in the "New Idea's" category.

Research and Lecturing Background:

I am a Clinical Exercise Physiologist. My PhD research focused on developing the optimal lifestyle intervention for weight loss and health, and I continue to be an active researcher in this area. A significant part of this work involved identifying and analysing novel biomarkers of insulin resistance and this work continues to date.

I coordinated and lectured on the BSc Sports Science with Exercise Physiology in Athlone Institute of Technology from 2011 to 2018. I lecture predominantly in the areas of exercise physiology and metabolism, and clinical exercise physiology, and I continue to supervise masters and PhD students in these areas.

In 2015 I was invited to be part of a metabolic research team working on European Space Agency Funded bed rest studies, this work is ongoing.

Personal Info:

  • I have a wonderful husband and am a mother of one beautiful little girl, Anna.
  • I have devoted my life to helping people improve their health and achieve things they have always wanted to do, but never thought possible.  
  • My passion in the fitness world is for ultra endurance events. Two of my past events that I am very proud of include (i) kayaking around Ireland (1,000 miles – 14 to 17 hours per day for 40 days) with John in July 2014, and (ii) cycling around Ireland (2,100 – 15 hours per day for 7 days) with John in August 2015. Both of these events were to raise money for charity. 
  • I believe each of us are capable of truly amazing things and that we should do our best to enjoy all of the joys that life has to offer.

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