Fitness expert Niamh helps OT leader Marie

A LOCAL former international taekwondo athlete is appearing on the current series of RTÉ’s health and fitness show ‘Operation Transformation’ as a fitness expert.

Niamh Buffini, who lives in Citywest and runs the Buff Performance fitness centre in Whitestown, was selected as a fitness expert due to her experience as an Olympic and Paralympic coach.

The skilled sportswoman has been helping ‘Operation Transformation’ leader Marie Clear, who has a bone growth disorder called achondroplasia which causes dwarfism.

During her tenure as a Paralympic coach, Niamh had worked with athletes with achondroplasia, and this prompted RTÉ to ask her if she’d like to take on the role of a fitness expert for Marie.

“RTÉ reached out to me based on my experience of having worked with Paralympians,” Niamh told The Echo.

“I’m a fitness expert for Marie. She has achondroplasia and I’ve worked with athletes with the same condition.

“I’ve created a fitness and strength plan for her, and I go down to her house every two weeks to do strength sessions with her in her home.

Operation Transformation leader Marie Clear

“It’s been very fruitful, because I’m learning so much more about achondroplasia so there’s been some learning on my end.”

Overall, Niamh hopes that people who watch the show will be inspired to make positive changes in their life and improve their fitness and health.

“What this will show is that everyday people, and people who have certain conditions, can engage in physical activity,” she said.

“It’s important for people from all different backgrounds to be represented, so people don’t feel that only ‘super fit’ people that go to the gym can get fit.

“It’s important to show that the everyday person can exercise at home with very little equipment.”

‘Operation Transformation’ continues next Wednesday, January 18, on RTÉ One at 9.35pm.