ABOUT TOM
Physical health, fitness and well being have been at the heart of my life for as long as I can remember. With over 12 years’ experience as a fitness professional I set up Adventure Fitness with the goal of providing physical health training to people of all ages and abilities, from elite athletes training for specific events to over-70s who have never trained before.
My philosophy is simple. I believe that physical health and wellbeing is a holistic process. My practice is collaborative and multi-disciplinary, and gives all my clients access to a team of professionals that includes consultants, a dietician, a physiotherapist and a psychologist to ensure that the best expert assessment and advice is available to everyone. I believe that training for physical health and fitness can take place anywhere and that anyone can train, whatever their history or ability. In recent years this has led to an increasing interest in working with people who might previously have been excluded from fitness because of poor health or chronic illness. The fitness adventure is open to everyone, and I am passionate about the difference that fitness and lifestyle change can make to people’s lives, wellbeing and happiness. Whatever the starting point, for each and every client my focus is on the development of a unique individually crafted physical health programme bringing together the three elements of fitness: physical, mental, nutritional (chemical).
Typical results you can expect from 5 weeks:
• 3-5% reduction in body fat
• Up to 11 inches off body measurements
• 25% improvement in strength
• 1-3 inch decrease in the midsection
• 25% improvement in endurance
• Greatly improved posture
• Better relaxation
ABOUT TOM
From Gym Fit to Real-Life Strong
Fifteen years ago, I was immersed in the world of gyms. As a personal trainer, I lived and breathed fitness, surrounded by the hum of treadmills and the clang of weights. On the surface, I had it all figured out: clients achieving aesthetic goals, personal bests being shattered, and the sense that we were all getting “fit.”
But something didn’t sit right. When I took my clients outside—to run a trail, hike a hill, or navigate uneven ground—their strength, so impressive in a controlled environment, seemed to dissolve. Dead-lifters struggled with loaded backpacks; treadmill warriors faltered on rocky paths. I realised the gym wasn’t preparing us for life.
Worse still, I wasn’t immune. Despite my dedication to training, I, too, was “gym fit” but not truly functional. I could lift heavy, but I wasn’t resilient. I was strong, but I wasn’t adaptable. That unsettling truth became my call to adventure.
The Call to Change
I knew I needed to step away from the gym world and test myself in the real world. I turned to the mountains and wild spaces, driven by a desire to find a deeper connection to fitness and to myself. Trail running became my new passion, pushing me to my physical and mental limits. I carried heavy loads through rugged terrains, scrambled up rocky ascents, and let the unpredictability of nature teach me lessons no gym could.
In the wild, I began to experience fitness not as a pursuit of aesthetics but as a means of thriving in real life—of moving, adapting, and enduring challenges. The wildness of the mountains inspired me to go beyond physical training and embrace a more holistic view of health and strength.
Through these experiences, I fell in love with the wilderness, but not just for its physical challenges. The mountains awakened something deeper—a need to connect with nature on its terms, to live harmoniously with the land rather than trying to conquer it. This shift set the foundation for a fitness philosophy rooted not in ego or control but in balance, adaptability, and resilience.
I reached incredible milestones during this period, completing the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) and countless other ultra-marathons. But life has a way of humbling even the strongest.
The Fall
At what felt like the height of my fitness journey, I was struck down. Patella tendinopathy crept into my knee, robbing me of the ability to run, hike, and eventually even walk down stairs. Around the same time, I was diagnosed with a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that drained my energy, stripped away my muscle, and left me spiralling into fatigue and depression.
For someone whose identity was built on fitness, resilience, and performance, this was ground zero. I felt like a shell of myself, questioning not just my physical capabilities but my ability to show up for my family and clients. But amidst the despair, I made a choice: I would rebuild—not just for myself but for the people who depended on me.
The Climb
Rebuilding wasn’t easy, but it became the most transformative journey of my life. I immersed myself in learning everything I could about rehabilitation, functional movement, biomechanics, nutrition, and recovery. This wasn’t just a study in theory—I was my own test subject. Through trial, error, and persistence, I began to piece myself back together.
Part of that journey involved earning my qualification as a Bushcraft Instructor and Mountain Leader. I wanted to deepen my connection to the wilderness, not just as a place to train but as a teacher. Through bushcraft, I learned how to live with nature rather than against it. I mastered skills like fire-making, foraging, and navigation—not to conquer the wild, but to harmonise with it. This philosophy became central to my life and my coaching: learning to move with the challenges life throws at us rather than resisting them.
I also gained qualifications as a Functional Movement Practitioner, Biomechanics Expert, Breath-work Instructor, and Strength and Conditioning Coach. These tools gave me a deeper understanding of how the body works and what it truly needs to heal, grow, and thrive.
Piece by piece, I rehabilitated my knee, restored my gut health, and reclaimed my energy. The process was slow, humbling, and often frustrating, but it gave me something invaluable: perspective.
Through this journey, I came to understand what it truly means to struggle, to face setbacks, and to feel like you’re starting over. This experience gave me not just technical expertise but deep empathy for those facing their own battles—whether it’s injury, chronic health issues, or the mental toll of losing what makes you feel alive.
The Transformation
Emerging from this journey, I gained a new perspective on fitness and wellness. It wasn’t just about strength or aesthetics; it was about creating bodies and minds that could adapt, endure, and thrive in the real world. I saw how every element of our health—from our breath patterns to our footwear—impacts how we move, feel, and live.
I also realised that fitness wasn’t separate from the wilderness. The two are deeply connected. Through my training as a Bushcraft Instructor and Mountain Leader, I discovered that fitness is about more than moving through nature—it’s about existing within it, working with it, and finding balance. The wild doesn’t reward ego; it rewards adaptability, presence, and resilience. These lessons became the cornerstone of my coaching philosophy.
The Mission
Today, I am dedicated to helping others create lives of health, strength, and vitality. I work with clients not just as a coach but as someone who truly understands the challenges they face. Whether it’s overcoming injury, restoring energy, or finding the confidence to take on new adventures, I guide people with empathy and realism.
Through my qualifications as a Strength and Conditioning Coach, Breath work Instructor, Functional Movement Practitioner, Biomechanics Expert, Mountain Leader, and Bushcraft Instructor, I’ve developed programs that prepare people not just for the gym but for life. I’ve helped clients achieve incredible transformations—rebuilding their strength, regaining confidence, and unlocking their full potential.
The Legacy
This journey is far from over. I continue to learn, grow, and refine my approach, constantly seeking ways to better serve my clients. Knowledge becomes wisdom only when it’s lived and practiced, and I am committed to living what I teach.
Fifteen years ago, I thought fitness was about lifting more or running faster. Today, I know it’s about much more than that. It’s about moving well, feeling strong, and being ready for whatever life throws at you.
This is the journey I invite you to take with me—not just to be fit for the gym but to be fit for life. The road is challenging, but it’s also transformative.
Are you ready to take the first step?