A day in the life at GSTS: Kieren Stevens

Meet Kieren

Hello. My name is Kieren Stevens and I’m the Site Security Supervisor at Trafford General Hospital, where I lead a team of 10 officers for GSTS. I’ve worked here for just over two years and I can honestly say I’ve never once woken up with that dreaded feeling of going to work – I really enjoy what I do. That’s why I wanted to share my day in the life at GSTS.

Strongman on the side

I’m 35 years old and I live with my amazing wife Catherine and our two brilliant children, Blake (10) and Arthur (4). Although I love my job and it provides a good living, my real passion in life is competing in Strongman. For those who don’t know, Strongman is the sport you might catch on Channel 5 at Christmas – the World’s Strongest Man competition. I compete in the under 80kg and under 90kg categories and have reached national and European level. Even so, my goal is to reach the world stage within the next 12 months. In the meantime, I’m giving it everything I’ve got.

Early starts and long days

I start each day at 5am with a 250m swim followed by a 15-minute sauna – it puts a spring in my step and sets the tone for the day. Before that, it’s straight out of bed, quick breakfast, kit on, and out the door. After that, it’s time to hit the road for my 40-minute commute. No two days are the same at Trafford General. From 7am to 7pm I’m busy managing shifts, responding to incidents and supporting my team across the site. As a result, the day always flies by. Sometimes, I don’t even realise it’s 7pm until I’m locking up.

Evenings in the gym

After work, I drive to the gym – hardcore dance music blasting – ready for my weight training. Each day is dedicated to a different lift:

• Monday – Deadlift

• Tuesday – Overhead press

• Thursday – Squat and leg work

• Saturday – Event-specific Strongman training

In addition, I’m currently preparing for Warrington’s Strongest Man on Saturday 16 August. I won last year, so I’ll be defending my title. Because of that, I’m training harder than ever and feeling stronger each week. Not only do I want to retain the title, but I want to beat my previous lifts too.

Support that makes it possible

Thanks to GSTS, I can afford a coach and a nutritionist, and my incredible wife prepares all the meals they plan out. This keeps me focused and on track. More importantly, it means I can give training my full attention without compromising on work or family. At the same time, I’m able to be present for the people who matter most. On weekends, Saturday afternoons and all day Sunday are for switching off and enjoying time together. What’s more, those breaks help with recovery and motivation for the week ahead.

Final thoughts

Every day in the life at GSTS brings something different – and I wouldn’t have it any other way. All things considered, it’s a balance – but one I’m proud of.