English Football to Personal Training, Journey to Beyond Best.

For those who don’t know me, I’m Ash.

I’ve never been someone who's posted much on LinkedIn (or any socials for that matter). I prefer to live life in real time.

However I’ve realised the work I’m doing with people, the results they’re getting and the conversations we have circle back to the same themes.

Growth. Health. Performance.

So here I am sharing some of my perspective.

I grew up in sunny England where football (or as people like to call it soccer here) became my entire world from age 11 until my early 20’s. I was fortunate enough to spend over a decade in an elite academy environment, travelling around Europe, competing, and experiencing the highs and lows that come with chasing a dream from such a young age.

Looking back, football was much more than a sport in terms of what it gave me.

‘The beautiful game’ taught me discipline, resilience and what it feels like to commit yourself completely to something and spend all your energy striving towards a goal.

It also taught me how pressure shapes you if you’re willing to lean into it. Something that I now look for as a guide to move me forwards.

Injuries eventually brought that chapter to an end and I found myself asking a question that a lot of athletes face.

"Who am I when the thing I've built my life around is gone?"

After some years of studying that question led me towards coaching.

I’ve worked as a performance coach for a handful of years, fell in love with Muay Thai, and more recently made the move to Australia where I coach at Beyond Best as well as building a business focused on helping professionals perform under the demands of modern work (Rebase Wellness).

One thing I've learned is that aesthetics are only the most surface level benefit to ‘fitness’ and I see this every day at Beyond Best.

It's a super valuable tool to manage the pressures of everyday life, and the personal growth that can happen when you consistently strive to be a better version of yourself, the trust you gain in yourself from that spills over to every other challenge in-front of you (getting in shape is a nice byproduct).

One of my favourite parts of coaching here at Beyond Best isn't watching someone lose weight, throw a better punch or lift a heavier weight. It's watching someone change the conversation they’re having about themselves.

Seeing someone walk into their first session questioning every movement they make, then a few months later helping the next beginner who's standing exactly where they once stood.

That transformation has very little to do with just working out.

The more I coach, the more I believe confidence isn't something you find. It's something you build. One rep, one session and one uncomfortable step at a time.

Making a positive change is never the easy option but it’s always the best option, and I’m yet to see an example of that not being the case.

Over the coming months I'll be sharing thoughts on movement, recovery, breathwork, nutrition, mindset and the lessons I've picked up through sport, coaching and life. Not because I have all the answers, but because I've been fortunate enough to spend most of my life around people who have got plenty to share.

If something I share helps someone take that first step towards becoming a healthier, more resilient version of themselves, then it'll be worth writing.

If any of this resonates with you, I’m always happy to have a conversation. You can find me coaching at Beyond Best.