Man whose family had additional needs says fatherhood inspired him to start company and write book focused on inclusion

A man who grew up with family members with additional needs has said becoming a father inspired him to start his own company and publish a book, all focused on inclusion and “equal opportunities”.

Three years ago, Ronan Conlon, 28, an inclusive development specialist, founded Fit Minds Coach to create a space where all children have equal opportunities, regardless of ability, after working as a mainstream coach for four years.

“I grew up my whole life with my uncle who had spina bifida, a condition that affects the spine,” Ronan told PA Real Life, saying this gave him empathy for those with additional needs and disabilities early in life.

“Also, my auntie was blind. I spent my whole life around people with additional needs and I always had a love for helping people and making them smile,” he added.

“My uncle passed in November which gave me a better understanding of how being with him all the time made me understand people with additional needs.”

The father of one, from Moortown in Northern Ireland, said the idea to start his own company became even more meaningful after the birth of his son Cahir, now four.

“When my son was born, I just knew that I wanted him and my future children to grow up and be proud of what I actually do,” he said.

“That’s what’s pushed me. I thought to myself, I want my son to grow up and be proud of what daddy does.”

Ronan has coached and studied child development and sports since university, working in England and Australia before starting his own business.

“My sole identity now is going into schools and communities to help. I work all across Northern Ireland and Ireland,” he said.

He said he delivers sessions in mainstream schools, specialist provisions and community groups, supporting children with additional needs, profound disabilities and those in early years settings.

“Everything I work on is surrounding inclusive practice,” he said.

“I built my work around three pillars. Engagement, inclusion and enjoyment.

“Engagement is about making sure that every child is engaged and taking part and knowing what’s happening; inclusion is making sure that every child feels like they belong no matter their ability; and enjoying is to make sure they’re always having fun while doing it.”

His slogan is “every ability matters”.

Starting with no funding, Ronan said taking the risk to become self employed and start his own business was the “best thing” he has ever done.

“I’ve been flown around the world to go and promote inclusion,” he said.

“For example, I now run my own workshops about how inclusion starts with you.

“It’s all about helping coaches, teachers and assistants to know how they can make their environments more inclusive for boys and girls and physical activity.”

A typical day sees Ronan working across multiple schools, often spending an entire day in specialist settings, delivering sessions focused on motor skills, emotional regulation, purposeful play and social confidence.

“A big thing in my sessions is getting everybody involved,” Ronan explained.

“It’s not just that we are going to work on these children’s skills, it’s also the parents, siblings, special needs assistants (SNA) and teachers.

“Everybody is taking part and everybody is having a bonding time together.”

Ronan has also written a children’s book called Fitzy The Active Bear, inspired by a teddy bear he takes to sessions to help children who may feel nervous.

The characters include Fitzy the bear, Sasha the squirrel who wears glasses, Finley the fox who wears a hearing aids and Remy the rabbit who is in a wheelchair.

“The book is all about finding friends, becoming friends and being really good friends. It’s also about how everybody is different, with different needs and may look different,” he said.

“It’s talking about how all children and people can be different but we can all be friends.

“We can all be nice and kind to each other no matter how we look, no matter disabilities, race, religion or anything.

“The overall story follows them all around the forest and they are talking about healthy eating and physical activity and how to be strong and happy and healthy.”

Ronan shares much of his work online, showing what he describes as the “logic to the madness”.

“The boys and girls don’t even know that they’re working on these important skills because they are having so much fun and that’s the kind of environment I want to build,” he said.

“I always loved social media. I think it’s such a great way of spreading things.”

He said last September he decided to show exactly what he does every day online.

He continued: “If you ever go to my TikTok or Instagram, it’s literally just videos of me and the children. What you see is what you get. There’s nothing planned.

“It’s really resonated with families and teachers. It’s just showing what goes on day to day and how chaotic a teacher or coach’s life can be every day working with children.”

He said families have said the content has helped them support their own children.

Ronan also credits his wife for supporting his work as, on their wedding day, she surprised him by having all the children he looks after at the end of the altar.

“I wouldn’t be able to do what I do and help the children if (my wife) wasn’t there. She is the absolute backbone of our family, I’m forever grateful for her,” he said.

Ronan said the mission is simple – focus on what children can do, not what they cannot do.

“All of this is very much about showing the amazing things that these children can do,” he said.

“I would say it’s not about a child’s disability, it’s about the ability they do have. If you can make an inclusive environment, then there are no barriers for anybody.”

Through both his business and fatherhood, he said he has developed a deeper understanding of families’ experiences.

“I have so much more empathy for others and love towards my own son,” Ronan said.

“Being a daddy gives me more of an understanding towards families and children.

“I want to build the most inclusive environment there is for every single child and adult. I don’t want barriers for anybody.

“This needs to be talked about and shouted from the rooftops to make sure no child gets left behind. Change the environment, not the child.”

He added: “I just want our whole society to be able to understand that everybody’s different.

“It may be that you’re a different religion, from a different country, a different race, you have additional needs – it doesn’t matter to me.

“I just want every child to have the same, equal opportunities, no matter what.”

To find out more, visit Ronan’s social media pages by searching @fitmindscoach on Instagram and TikTok.