Former soldier celebrates two years at his community-focused CrossFit gym in Rustington

Murray Hambro, 46, has been competing with the world's top athletes at the Adaptive CrossFit Games championship for a number of years and this summer, he finished sixth at San Jose in California.

He shares his knowledge of, and commitment to, this specific brand of fitness training at his own gym, CrossFit Tigerlily, on the Brookside Business Park.

Murray has always wanted it to be a community-focused gym and as well as supporting charity through Christmas collections and the annual Murph workout challenge, members have helped their coach raise money to continue to compete. They say he is 'superhuman' and his achievements are truly remarkable.

A former soldier with the Royal Tank Regiment, Murray lost both his legs below the knew after his tank was hit by a roadside IED while he was on his second tour serving in Afghanistan.

He started taking part in CrossFit at a gym in Brighton to get fit again and said the specialised workout helped him regain his independence. His coach, Barnaby Gehlcken, encouraged him to compete and Murray has never looked back.

He opened CrossFit Tigerlily in September 2024 and named it after the warrior princess in Peter Pan, as the author J.M. Barrie often stayed in Rustington.

Murray said: “The idea was to create somewhere people of all ages and abilities could come together, get fitter, challenge themselves and enjoy training, regardless of their starting point.

“Alongside running the gym, I’ve continued pushing myself competitively, competing in the Adaptive CrossFit Games in America. This year, I finished sixth overall and was the highest-placed British athlete in my division.

“What made that experience even more special was the support I received from the members of Tigerlily, who helped crowdfund towards the cost of getting me there.

“Running a gym certainly hasn’t been without its challenges but it’s something I’m incredibly passionate about. I want to show people that fitness isn’t just about how strong or fast you are, but what you can achieve when you’re willing to give things a go.”

In simple terms, CrossFit is like circuit training. Classes combine strength, conditioning and gymnastics in an hour of coached functional fitness.

Murray said: “It is group exercise but we teach the cooler stuff, to Olympic level. Every workout can be adapted to your ability, whether you're new to training or already experienced.

“It is for people who want to get fit. The good thing about it is there is not loads of equipment, just the bare essentials. We teach fitness that will prepare you for daily life.”

If he is honest, Murray did not want to leave the Army and once he was out, he had no idea what he wanted to do instead.

Finding CrossFit was the turning point and competing has enabled Murray to travel the world. He worked as a personal trainer before completing the CrossFit coaching course and opened his own gym with Barnaby's support.

All classes are coached with people of different ages and abilities training alongside each other, with each working at their own level.

Murray said: “That is what I love about this place. We manage the intensity to the individual, and it works. The goal is to give them the confidence to do it for themselves.”