Someone who undertakes to improve the form of the body.
shapesmith (noun)The word's definition as recorded in 1755. It is still exactly what we do.
THE FOUNDER
From the mat to the lab.
Dr Matt Hancock started out as a competitive martial artist before deciding he wanted to work with athletes. After a First Class degree in Sports Science and Biomedicine, he worked as a sports scientist with university athletes, as a strength and conditioning coach with MMA fighters and youth footballers, and with Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service's Training Academy.
He then moved to England Rugby and completed his PhD at the University of Bath, specialising in injury prevention and performance analysis. As a researcher he turned to combat sports, developing ways to understand the sport through video analysis and wearables, before becoming Human Performance Innovation Lead for the British Army.
Recognising the need for a single, accessible destination for all human performance services, he created Shapesmith Performance.
THE EMBLEM
Bronze to iron. Still itself, only stronger.
Our emblem, the Corinthian helmet, stands for courage, loyalty and power. It was a symbol of Sparta, worn by both Athena, goddess of wisdom, and Ares, god of war.
The first helmets were bronze. In time they were made of iron, lighter and more resistant. The material changed; the helmet was still itself, just more effective. That is what we aim to do for every person we work with.
HOW WE WORK
Seven philosophies from around the world.
Seven ideas, from five languages, that shape how we work with you.
LATINAudax
Bold, daringWe commit fully. No half measures, for you or for us.
JAPANESEKaizen
Change for the betterWe look for small gains every day, because they add up.
JAPANESENemawashi
Laying the foundationWe build relationships and talk things through with everyone involved, so every plan starts on solid ground.
SWEDISHLagom
Just the right amountWe find the sweet spot: the right dose, at the right time, for you.
JAPANESEWabi-sabi
Beauty in imperfectionWe treat setbacks as part of the process, and make sure the lessons are learnt.
NGUNI BANTUUbuntu
I am because we areWe surround you with a team that succeeds together.
ANCIENT GREEKAletheia
TruthWe are honest with you, always. Trust is built on truth.
Excellence forged through detail.
THE TEAM
The people are the company.
We only work with the best, in experience and in character.
Select a name to read more
LEADERSHIP
Dr Matt HancockPhD CSci MCASES CMgr MCMI PES VR
Founder & Managing Director
ADVISORY BOARDOperations Advisor
Alex has spent his career so far growing and running businesses, with experience across multiple industries. A marketer by trade, Alex swapped life as the Operations Director of a London-based marketing agency for being the proud owner of multiple Midlands businesses with a multi-million pound turnover.
What Alex brings is practical know-how on how to understand who the audience is, what they’re looking for, and how to create strategies that put a business directly in front of them at the right time. It’s this hands-on approach that has helped drive real growth time and again.
Shapesmith Performance brought Alex on as Operations Advisor so he can share this experience to help the team reach more people and continue building a business that makes a real difference.
OPERATIONSOperations Manager
A former Royal Marines Commando and British Army Officer, he’s passionate about developing both what we offer and how we offer it, putting his IT & Business Management Degree to good use.
He feels that staying active is incredibly important, especially as a new dad, and can often be found tackling half marathons, open water swimming events or fitness competitions.
EDUCATIONSenior Performance Fellow
A Bristol-based GP with expertise in health promotion, disease prevention, lifestyle medicine and psychology. With postgraduate qualifications in medical education and child health, Jess blends clinical insight with evidence-based strategies to optimise performance and long-term health. She has led projects improving referral pathways, contributed to national health education platforms and is expanding her skills into sports performance and exercise health.
Passionate about helping athletes and their support teams understand the link between health and performance, she combines medical expertise with a love of sport, outdoor adventure and an active lifestyle.
EDUCATIONSenior Performance Fellow
A family man, ex-rugby player and aspiring coffee connoisseur, he has a passion for developing others.
As Senior Performance Fellow, he’s responsible for the delivery of Shapesmith Performance’s educational services, spanning workshops, courses and research.
Jack’s high performance background in team sports, such as rugby union and field hockey, combined with his Master's Degree in Sports Strength & Conditioning and experience as a lecturer, make him the perfect person to educate those who are eager to enrich their understanding of all things sport and exercise.
Want to work with the team?contact@shapesmith-performance.co.uk
Someone who undertakes to improve the form of the body.
shapesmith (noun)The word's definition as recorded in 1755. It is still exactly what we do.
THE FOUNDER
From the mat to the lab.
Dr Matt Hancock started out as a competitive martial artist before deciding he wanted to work with athletes. After a First Class degree in Sports Science and Biomedicine, he worked as a sports scientist with university athletes, as a strength and conditioning coach with MMA fighters and youth footballers, and with Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service's Training Academy.
He then moved to England Rugby and completed his PhD at the University of Bath, specialising in injury prevention and performance analysis. As a researcher he turned to combat sports, developing ways to understand the sport through video analysis and wearables, before becoming Human Performance Innovation Lead for the British Army.
Recognising the need for a single, accessible destination for all human performance services, he created Shapesmith Performance.
THE EMBLEM
Bronze to iron. Still itself, only stronger.
Our emblem, the Corinthian helmet, stands for courage, loyalty and power. It was a symbol of Sparta, worn by both Athena, goddess of wisdom, and Ares, god of war.
The first helmets were bronze. In time they were made of iron, lighter and more resistant. The material changed; the helmet was still itself, just more effective. That is what we aim to do for every person we work with.
HOW WE WORK
Seven philosophies from around the world.
Seven ideas, from five languages, that shape how we work with you.
LATINAudax
Bold, daringWe commit fully. No half measures, for you or for us.
JAPANESEKaizen
Change for the betterWe look for small gains every day, because they add up.
JAPANESENemawashi
Laying the foundationWe build relationships and talk things through with everyone involved, so every plan starts on solid ground.
SWEDISHLagom
Just the right amountWe find the sweet spot: the right dose, at the right time, for you.
JAPANESEWabi-sabi
Beauty in imperfectionWe treat setbacks as part of the process, and make sure the lessons are learnt.
NGUNI BANTUUbuntu
I am because we areWe surround you with a team that succeeds together.
ANCIENT GREEKAletheia
TruthWe are honest with you, always. Trust is built on truth.
THE TEAM
The people are the company.
LEADERSHIP
Dr Matt HancockPhD CSci MCASES CMgr MCMI PES VR
Founder & Managing Director
ADVISORY BOARDOperations Advisor
Alex has spent his career so far growing and running businesses, with experience across multiple industries. A marketer by trade, Alex swapped life as the Operations Director of a London-based marketing agency for being the proud owner of multiple Midlands businesses with a multi-million pound turnover.
What Alex brings is practical know-how on how to understand who the audience is, what they’re looking for, and how to create strategies that put a business directly in front of them at the right time. It’s this hands-on approach that has helped drive real growth time and again.
Shapesmith Performance brought Alex on as Operations Advisor so he can share this experience to help the team reach more people and continue building a business that makes a real difference.
OPERATIONSOperations Manager
A former Royal Marines Commando and British Army Officer, he’s passionate about developing both what we offer and how we offer it, putting his IT & Business Management Degree to good use.
He feels that staying active is incredibly important, especially as a new dad, and can often be found tackling half marathons, open water swimming events or fitness competitions.
EDUCATIONSenior Performance Fellow
A Bristol-based GP with expertise in health promotion, disease prevention, lifestyle medicine and psychology. With postgraduate qualifications in medical education and child health, Jess blends clinical insight with evidence-based strategies to optimise performance and long-term health. She has led projects improving referral pathways, contributed to national health education platforms and is expanding her skills into sports performance and exercise health.
Passionate about helping athletes and their support teams understand the link between health and performance, she combines medical expertise with a love of sport, outdoor adventure and an active lifestyle.
EDUCATIONSenior Performance Fellow
A family man, ex-rugby player and aspiring coffee connoisseur, he has a passion for developing others.
As Senior Performance Fellow, he’s responsible for the delivery of Shapesmith Performance’s educational services, spanning workshops, courses and research.
Jack’s high performance background in team sports, such as rugby union and field hockey, combined with his Master's Degree in Sports Strength & Conditioning and experience as a lecturer, make him the perfect person to educate those who are eager to enrich their understanding of all things sport and exercise.
Want to work with the team?contact@shapesmith-performance.co.ukSTART A CONVERSATION
LEADERSHIP
ADVISORY BOARD
Operations Advisor
OPERATIONS
Operations Manager
EDUCATION
Senior Performance Fellow
EDUCATION
Senior Performance Fellow