ABOUT OUR TEAM

PIARAIS MCSHANE SENr, msc, bsc

Hi, I'm Piarais, a SENr accredited Sports & Exercise Nutritionist based in Belfast with a passion for optimising athletic performance through evidence-based nutritional strategies. I hold an MSc in Sports and Exercise Nutrition and bring a wealth of experience in enhancing both individual and team success.

My love for athletics began in my youth, with a particular focus on distance running. Watching the 2012 Olympics sparked a new passion for triathlon. With no prior experience, I taught myself to swim — a journey that demanded years of discipline and hard work. This dedication culminated in competing at the 2023 European Middle Distance Championships in Belgium and representing Ireland at the African Cup, where I had the honor of guiding one of our future Paralympians to a gold medal.

Currently, I work as the nutritionist for the Belfast Giants, collaborating closely with the team to improve performance, accelerate recovery, and promote overall health. I also lead the Pavilion Clinic, a performance testing center at Stormont, where I design and oversee tailored physiological and nutritional assessment plans for athletes of all levels.

In addition to my clinic and team roles, I serve as a performance triathlon coach with Newmeta Coaching, supporting athletes from complete beginners to World Championship competitors.

My approach blends cutting-edge research, personal athletic experience, and a deep commitment to helping both elite and recreational athletes unlock their full potential and achieve their goals.

Testimonials

BELFAST GIANTS

Conal McCambridge

Thanks to Piarais, I feel healthier and more resilient as I recover from REDS. Working with him has made a significant difference in how I approach my nutrition and overall well-being. Piarais took the time to understand my unique situation and crafted a personalized nutrition plan that addressed my specific needs.

Since beginning this journey, I've gained valuable insights into how proper nutrition can support my recovery and help me regain my strength. I’m starting to feel better physically and mentally, which has been crucial for my progress.

If you're struggling with nutrition-related issues, especially if you're facing challenges like REDS, I highly recommend Piarais for his expertise and personalized approach. His guidance has been instrumental in my recovery, and I’m confident that he can help you find the path to feeling better and stronger, just as he has for me.

Mirek Pyrsz

When Mirek first came to SMART Nutrition, he was struggling with GI distress and couldn’t run more than 5km off the bike without getting a stitch. Fueling his training and races was a challenge, but he knew that for a strong performance at Ironman Barcelona, nutrition had to be *dialled in*.

Here’s what Mirek had to say about working with Piarias:

"I want to have a great Ironman race, and to achieve that, my nutrition must be on point. Piarias helped me understand exactly how much food and drink I need, and now my long rides feel amazing!🚴‍♂️

"I’ve even set up my Garmin Edge to remind me to eat every 20 minutes during rides, which has been a game changer. With the tailored nutrition strategy and great supplement advice, I feel stronger and healthier."

"I highly recommend Piarias and SMART Nutrition to any athlete – the more you know about nutrition, the better you train and race!"

After a big test workout (2.2km swim, 126km bike, and 13km run), Mirek reported NO issues and a *brilliant* training day! 💪🔥 He’s ready to crush it in Barcelona!

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