With nearly 30 years of coaching experience, I began with kids’ football camps before moving into personal training and group exercise in 1996. I’ve worked with all ages and abilities, from high-impact circuits for 100+ participants to cardiac rehabilitation and kids’ fitness. I discovered CrossFit in 2007, earned my Level 1 in San Diego, and founded CrossFit Wyre Forest in 2008. My passion lies in helping those returning to fitness, managing injuries, or needing extra care, with a focus on kids and older adults. I love creating an inclusive environment where everyone—from toddlers to seniors—can improve their health and have fun doing it.
Emma joined us in July 2020. She has always had a passion for health and fitness which stemmed from starting dancing at the age of 6 and eventually going on to achieve a degree in professional dance. It was a few years later that Emma discovered CrossFit, which completely opened her eyes to a new way of exercising and she quickly fell in love with not only the style of training, but being part of such a great community. Emma started working at a local CrossFit affiliate in February 2019 and then decided to obtain her CrossFit level 1 certificate in early May 2019 which allowed her to start coaching full time. It didn’t take long for Emma to realise this was the right path for her. Emma spends much of her spare time researching, reading and learning to make sure she is constantly working towards bettering herself as a coach. Emma also programmes and runs our Barbell Club and HYROX classes.
Liz was late getting into fitness. At school she rarely went to P.E unless it was netball.
In her twenties Liz joined a regular gym and got into the typical thing of steady a cardio and jogging thinking that was the best way to get fit, and that the weights section was for men only. Liz got into CrossFit a few years ago and enjoyed the challenge of the classes and getting to know all the other members she trained with.
Liz loves being so involved with the box coaching CrossFit and HYROX and also running a successful PT business. She loves seeing her clients achieve much more than they ever thought possible.
Karen has always been into sport and it was as a member of the local squash club she heard about the recently opened CrossFit Wyre Forest. She was 47 years old and had never lifted weights. After her first CrossFit class she was totally in awe of all the other members. Winding forward ten years and in 2018 Karen decided to use her love of CrossFit to gain her level 1 cert then later that year her CrossFit kids & teen’s cert also. At present Karen uses her extensive knowledge of sport to programme and delive four mobility classes as well as kids, teen’s and adult CrossFit classes.
As the parent of a CrossFit games athlete Elliott Simmonds and a double British time cycling champion and commonwealth games bronze medalist Hayley Simmonds, Karen would like to think her encouragement and love of sport has contributed to their successes.
My early experiences in sport came through judo, swimming, and rugby - but it wasn’t until 2018 after feeling seriously unhappy with my weight - that I made a real shift and committed to my health and fitness.
CrossFit Wyre Forest completely changed the game for me. It’s where I found a love for strength and cardio training, but more importantly, it’s where I discovered just how far I could push myself. The community here is something truly special—supportive, motivating, and always welcoming. Even when I’ve trained in gyms around the world, that CrossFit community feeling is always present.
In 2025, I earned my CrossFit Level 1 to deepen my understanding and help others push past their own limits. Now as a coach, I’m proud to support others on their fitness journey.