Meet our head coach
CJ Trained
A Lifetime in Combat Sports
At CJ TRAINED, we believe that great coaching comes from real experience, dedication, and a deep understanding of the fight game. That’s exactly what head coach Cian Johnson brings to every training session.
With 16 years of experience in combat sports, Cian has been training since the age of 3 years old. His journey has taken him across the country, competing at the highest levels and training alongside elite fighters, including professional UFC athletes and top-tier boxers. Under the same coaches that have shaped world-class fighters, he has developed a proven system of training that delivers real results.
Cian has dedicated his life to mastering boxing, kickboxing, and MMA, constantly refining his skills through competition and relentless training. Having traveled nationwide for training camps and fight preparation, he has been mentored by some of the best coaches in the sport, learning the same methods used to prepare champions.
His high-level experience in training and competing allows him to offer insight, strategy, and techniques that go beyond basic training methods. He knows what it takes to win, adapt, and push through challenges—because he has lived it himself.
Over the past two years, Cian has shifted his focus toward coaching, bringing his knowledge and fight experience to help others improve their skills, mindset, and overall performance. As a Level 3 qualified coach, he has already built a reputation for delivering proven results, helping clients of all levels—from beginners to aspiring fighters—become stronger, faster, and more skilled in combat sports.
At CJ TRAINED, coaching isn’t just about making someone work hard—it’s about training smart, building confidence, and creating well-rounded fighters who can perform under pressure.
Sandwell college provided me with valuable knowledge and skills in sports coaching and development. I studied the two year course in twelve months to learn the knowledge base and technical skills needs to excel as a coach. The units included developing coaching skills, anatomy and physiology, sports therapy and nutrition. I was able to experience top level coaching first hand with tris to St Georges Park.
My time on this course helped me explore the science of sport and exercise,considering how disciplines such as nutrition, physiology, psychology and biomechanics can be applied to sports performance, physical activity and wellbeing. This course gave me the realisation that I wanted a more practical course and I wanted to coach rather than study a sports science. I completed 12 months and transferred to Sandwell College.
This qualification has given me the skills and expertise to work with beginners to high level performers. I have been given the skills to work successfully as a sports specific coach in boxing and striking with beginners and high performance athletes. The course combined academic learning of coaching principles with practical sports training. Sports psychology was a big module and I chose this as my specialist module along with fitness testing and athlete profiling. I had access to the West Brom training facilities where I applied the theories learnt in coaching sessions. I developed practical skills, gained industry exposure and built a network of contacts.
At CJ TRAINED, we don’t just teach—you train like a fighter, think like a fighter, and develop the skills to perform like a champion.
If you want to train under a coach who has lived the fight game, trained with the best, and knows exactly what it takes to succeed, then CJ TRAINED is the place for you.