Edinburgh Napier University

Steven Curnyn never planned to go to university. He left school with no qualifications, but his passion for sport and fitness, particularly football, led him to study for an HNC in Sport and Exercise at college. He studied whilst working and training full-time at his local sports centre. At his parents’ suggestion he attended Edinburgh Napier’s Sport Science Open Day. After an encouraging meeting with Senior Lecturer (and unofficial Godfather) of Sport Science, Euan Strathie, and having seen the facilities and opportunities available, he immediately signed up to study for a BSc (Hons), Sport and Exercise Science. After graduating in 2011, Steven completed an MSc in Sport Performance Enhancement.

University was a struggle to begin with, however Steven got up to speed and really knuckled down in 3rd and 4th year. During the final year of his undergraduate, his course moved from Merchiston campus to the new state-of-the-art Sport Science laboratories.

After completing his MSc in 2012, Steven met a bit of luck as a position opened up for a Sport Science Technician within Edinburgh Napier’s Sport Science laboratories. Steven credits Edinburgh Napier as the place where he really earned his stripes. He spent three and a half years working with students in the labs, sharing his knowledge, and learning more about his passion for sport performance enhancement.

Having a side hustle as a Strength and Conditioning Coach, Steven also worked with many local football clubs. And taking up competitive endurance and adventure racing along with coaching, meant Steven’s time was always busy.

Whilst racing one weekend, he was informed by a fellow competitor that the BBC was going to produce a new series, Special Forces - Ultimate Hell Week, and that he should apply. He did so for fun, thinking nothing would come of it, but soon received a call from the BBC inviting him to Glasgow to interview for the show. The rest is history. The coaching and mentoring Steven had received as a student and then as a staff member meant he was in the best shape of his life. Edinburgh Napier’s Professor of Applied Sport Science, Geraint Florida-James, and Mark Ross, a PhD student at the time, now a Lecturer in Exercise Physiology, also assisted Steven with his training, health, and wellbeing in advance of the show. He came in a very commendable 4th place!

In 2016, and thanks again to his side hustle, Steven received a tip off that Hibs Football Club were looking for a Strength and Conditioning Coach. He emailed the Head of Football, was invited to an interview, and thus began a seven-year career with Hibs FC.

Steven developed an incredibly successful coaching and development programme with Hibs FC. During his seven years with this Club, he was promoted to Head of Academy Science and Medicine and continued to lead the department until he left in January 2022. Lifestyle changes, including the birth of his three children, had proved challenging and the time felt right to move on. Working incredibly long hours meant Steven was not achieving that sought after work-life balance. Since leaving, he has spent his time developing a coaching programme for the private sector and launching his own business, Athlete Culture.

"It was scary but having great connections within the sport industry helped things take off. I’m now working hard to expand my client base."

Athlete Culture works with children and young people on their long-term athletic development. Using age-specific training and learning through play, children foster a love of exercise.

Steven is never one to turn down a challenge, and in addition to his new business, has begun working as Head of Academy Performance with Dunfermline FC and works with other local football clubs, to offer support and an experienced hand overseeing their player development programmes. Steven’s ultimate goal though, is to own his own gym.

“I sought out a mentor to help with my new business. I knew my weaknesses and have been helped hugely with learning about business ownership. It’s been an interesting and tough year, but it’s all positive and there’s an abundance of work out there.”