HAPPY Birthday 🎂

AFSCrossFit has moved into its 14th year. 2 Gyms, 5 different management systems, hundreds maybe even 1000s of members old and new, 15 coaches and I can’t even think how many different programs we have come up with over the years, these are a handful of stats that don’t really tell the whole story of our journey.

When we threw open the doors 14years ago I didn’t in my wildest dreams see us make it this far. I still vividly remember still setting up the last bits ready for our opening event and Macca, Graham and James Parker rolled in before heading to the beach to sign up. Fast forward 14 years and Macca is my longest serving member 😍. I think Macca averages 4 classes a week still which means he very close to 3000 classes which is phenomenal.

obviously a special shoutout needs to go to my Bro, David who has been with me every step of the way. a wise, and very much more calm mind then mine has come in handy on more then one occasion when dealing with admin matters. Not only that he has been a rock on the coaching side providing a quality that is always of the highest caliber. He also loves a singlet 🏋️‍♀️ this photo was taken during a weightlifting/CrossFit hybrid competition we held with CrossFIt Reading.

As is par for the course lots of people have come and gone. Some to new gyms, some to new destinations and some moved back home. It’s definitely been one of the tougher parts of the job. We have said goodbye to great people like Jess and Chris Grant, Dave Allen, Jamie and Hayleigh Martin, and countless more. One of the biggest characters to be part of the AFSCrossFit Family is Darren. A fantastic coach very much in the old school AFS mould. He was an integral part of getting us up and running and the work he did to build our community was invaluable. Now living the good life up in Scotland we wish him, Cassidy and Brooke the very best x.

Another huge part of our early foundations was Tara. A fantastic human being with a heart maybe just a little too big. Always a sucker for a lost cause she had an inner determination I have not seen since. She was a cracking CrossFitter with a natural talent but also a will to win that pushed to do things that women with 3 kids rarely do. I have a few favourite memories but the one that is ok to broadcast was one new years eve I was working on the doors in Portsmouth. A rough area that prodded and poked all night to see if I could be manipulated and intimidated. I had no-one available to work with me but Tara stepped straight up and joined me for the night. We talked all night and laughed at the idiots trying to goad me into a fight. I’m not sure she would have done much damage if needed but I new she would try. Always a fighter and always thinking of others. RIP Tara xx

The most recent of you won’t remember Bruno. My trusty partner that was with me from day 1, always by my side and always close to being under a barbell. 10 years he provided a welcome like no other to everyone. Well everyone except Stratos and his bike, a lovely Indian couple and a PT client who I am sure Bruno felt had eaten dog on his numerous trips to China. Our coffee shop now carries his memory forward with us curled up in the coffee cup.

Casino nights, Competitions, and fundraisers have built our community and our reputation as one of the earliest CrossFit Gyms. I believe we were 32nd. Always performing way above expectations Ross, Kathryn, and Brad have flown the flag many times taking 1st place in some tough Competitions. I guess that’s one of the areas i’m most proud of. We have managed to build a program and provide an environment that has led to some very fit people doing extraordinary things but also has inspired 8 year olds to 80 years old to be as fit as they can be also.

When I opened the doors in 2010 I thought I had a plan. I thought I did but I didn’t. I have free wheeled, zigged and zagged, ducked and dived to where we are today. I have made countless mistakes, and am sure I will make a lot more along the way. The one thing that is still the same as it was on April 19th 2010 is my desire to help people. Weather its through CrossFit, Personal training, Online Coaching or Nutrition & Accountability Coaching we now have a plan. And pretty damn effective one even if I do say so myself.

If you would like to check out some of the great things our members have achieved head to our Instagram channel @afscrossfit. If you would like to find out how we can help you with your health and fitness goals book a NO SWEAT INTRO and lets see if we can work together.