Connor Gurney

From a young age, rugby taught me the power of teamwork and resilience. That drive led me to an eight-year career in the Royal Marines, where I learned discipline, courage, and how to perform under pressure. Today, I carry those lessons into my work as a firefighter — a role that continues to demand trust, commitment, and pushing past limits. CrossFit became the natural extension of this journey: a place where grit meets community, and where every challenge is an opportunity to grow stronger. As an athlete, I’ve learned through mistakes, hard work, and compassion — lessons I now bring into coaching. My goal is to help others unlock their potential, grow in confidence, and thrive in the same supportive environment that’s shaped me.

For me, the biggest enemy in my journey was a lack of self-belief. Even when I was training hard or succeeding on the outside, I often questioned whether I was good enough on the inside. That doubt followed me throughout my early days in the Marines. The turning point came when I started CrossFit. It stripped everything back — where the progress only comes through consistent effort and showing up for yourself. Over time, I proved to myself that I could learn new skills, hit new numbers, and push through tough workouts. The battle with self-belief is an ongoing challenge but that’s also the gift. It’s taught me compassion for myself and for others, and it’s shaped the way I coach: helping people realise they’re stronger, braver, and more capable than they think.

My purpose for coaching is simple: to help people believe in themselves. I’m passionate about guiding individuals to achieve things they never thought possible — whether that’s their first pull-up, a big lift, or simply showing up on a tough day. I understand that progress isn’t always linear. Some days are about breakthroughs, and some days are just about turning up and giving what you can. My motivation is seeing people grow in confidence, build resilience, and discover their own strength — both inside and outside the gym.