HITZ Case Study: Cai O'Shaughnessy

When Cai joined the Exeter Chiefs Hitz Programme in 2019, he had been out of education for some time and felt at his lowest ebb. 

He joined our Community Chiefs at Topsham RFC and rarely missed a day, throwing everything he had into BTECH Level 1 and Level 2 Sport Courses.

Over the next two years Cai grew with confidence and even though the country suffered with the pandemic restrictions across 2020/21, Hitz online and sporadic contact with students at a distance meant Hitz could continue to support Cai and the rest of the cohort through their qualifications.

Two years after his time with Hitz and his ongoing life’s journey, Cai recently said ‘I’d gained a lot of weight, they helped me lose almost all of it – we enjoyed fitness with fun games that included cardio and lifting, I developed a love of the gym.’

From the strong foundation of Hitz, Cai moved back into education and achieved a diploma in Exercise Science and qualifications in fitness and personal training at Exeter College. Cai also found solace in his unwavering Christian faith after another particularly tough life event.

In January this year, Cai applied for the Army having intelligence as the ultimate aspiration. However, he has redirected to signals, with prep training complete, he is waiting for his medical, so he can start his basic training in September 2024.

We will continue to keep in touch with Cai, wishing him all the best with his future plans within the forces. We are sure he will embrace the challenge wholeheartedly!