My involvement with the UK Armed forces started in 1994, recently leaving 131 Commando after 24 years’ service. It was a truly insightful experience where I learned about coaching, mentoring and leadership.

My training career has included clients of all age ranges, along with those who are visually impaired, autistic, mobility limited, diabetic, impacted by cardio-vascular disease or suffering from mental stress. I believe in a holistic approach to health and fitness embracing both the physical and psychological.

During university years I backpacked frequently through northern and eastern Africa. The highlight was an expedition to the remote Simien Mountains in Ethiopia. The travel bug stayed with me, and my Latin connections developing when my father moved to Cuba in 2005. Inspired by many trips to Argentina, I am now an intermediate level Spanish speaker.

My philosophy to life – ‘Together we always achieve more’

I was part of the Army Reserve for six years. After passing out from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, I joined 131 commando engineers as a Troop Commander and went on to complete the commando course. I’ve completed over fifty long-distance running events from marathons to 100 miles and Ironman-distance triathlons. Climbing and expeditions have taken me to Himalayan peaks, big walls in Yosemite and an unsupported crossing of the Greenland Ice Cap.

I began my military career with 131 Commando, later serving in 24 Commando Engineer Regiment, during this time i also competed internationally in high-performance rowing.

I have held roles as a Green Skills Instructor and Physical Training Instructor at Sandhurst group, and over the last 5 years supported UK and allied intelligence agencies through the Royal Marines.

Now, I am a Beekeeper and director of a ground maintenance business, Magee’s Bees. In my role with Los Leones, i will bring a passion for storytelling, veteran connection, and endurance culture to the social media front, ensuring we can amplify the mission and share our community’s journey.

Joining the Royal Marines aged16, inspired my passion for arduous challenges, unfortunately my time was cut short due to an injury. After recovering, I transferred to 131 Commando an Army Reserve unit and passed the Commando Course.

With 131 I served on two operational tours, Iraq and Afghanistan, gained leadership experience as a section commander, earned trade qualifications in signalling, combat engineering and hazardous goods driving. Also completing my military parachutist and Jungle survival courses. In 2006 I won 9 Golds, 1 Silver and a Bronze in the Spartan Hike military Biathlon and Cross country Skiing Championships.

In 2007, 131 disbanded my troop which then became 299 Para Engineer Squadron, where I completed the All Arms P-Company course at Catterick. I have extensive experience in endurance events from sprint to full distance triathlons, marathons and ultra races. Gaining my British Triathlon coaching qualification I have helped coach Juniors to County, Regional, National and International standard.

I own a small company of skilled and hard-working tradesmen. We’re proud of training aspiring young people, and many have successfully completed apprenticeships with us.

I have two sons aged 16 and 18 who are studying at college and university. I’ve participated in a number of ultra races from 100k to 275k, one of my favourites being Trailwalker. While having the privilege of running with some amazing people, I’ve raised money for a number of charities which are close to my heart. These include The Gurkha Welfare Trust, Cancer Research, Melanoma Focus, St Roses special school and the SSAFA Armed forces charity.

I’m also a member of the army reserves. In 2025, I will participate in the Arc of Attrition, Arc 100 (utmb.world) and study a sport science course.

I was at university with Jason and have had many travel adventures with him since then. My working career began in retail, managing city centre shopping outlets, as well as British Airport Authorities’ main retail business. During the last 14 years I have focussed on driving community and charity initiatives for Whitbread, Macmillan, and the Costa Foundation. With my two sons, I’m a very proud and active supporter of ‘the Stags’, better known as Mansfield Town FC.

I joined 131 Commando Squadron in 2018 and passed the Commando Course a year later. I’ve trained in combat engineering and advanced driving. I’ve completed a number of ultra-events, including the Marathon des Sables, and have my sights set on a number of other physical challenges in 2025.

I joined 131 Commando Engineers in 2017. Having passed the Commando Course I am now an Army PTI and Signaller. Keeping fit is important to me, as it provides balance for a career that is largely sedentary. I enjoy running, cycling, swimming and going to the gym. I have participated in various sporting challenges including the Cape Town Cycle Tour, Trailwalker and of course numerous Commando Speed Marches.

Through nearly three decades of sporting and athletic training, I’ve worked hard to become a highly capable and adaptable athlete. Additionally, I have played team sports, primarily rugby. Highlights of my fitness journey include earning my green beret and being part of a team placed second in the Commando Speed March.

As an Army Reserve PT instructor, I enjoy passing on my knowledge and enthusiasm for physical fitness. My foundation PT skills have been supplemented with qualifications in mental resilience and performance-related anxiety. To improve my knowledge, I’m currently studying for an L4 Strength and Conditioning coaching qualification.

In military training, I have pushed my limits in arduous conditions from the jungle to the Arctic. These experiences have made me a firm believer in my ability to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges. As part of the Los Leones team, I hope to achieve great success in my personal challenges and lend my expertise and experience to others with their goals.

I am currently serving in the Armed Forces, having spent 10 years as a reservist before transferring to regular service. I have a passion for endurance sports, particularly triathlons and ultra-running. These events attract me not only for the physical challenge but also because of the unique individuals who participate in them.

My training philosophy is based on a long-term approach to building endurance through years of consistent effort. This mindset has enabled me to achieve multiple goals, completing several Ironman-distance events, ultra-distance cycling and running challenges

Throughout my time in the military, I have built strong friendships including many with members of the Los Leones team. Being surrounded by such remarkable people motivates one to always push a little further. Per ardua, ad astra.

I’m a former journalist, history teacher, scuba instructor and battlefield guide. I completed a couple of triathlons but quickly realised that this was not for me! A chance to return to university in 2016 allowed me to reassess my priorities and I have been using my educational background to train people in first aid, while enhancing my own first response credentials. I volunteer with frontline ambulance crews, and am an event medic, covering music festivals, dog shows, horseraces, motocross, and endurance races. I am currently working towards a paramedic apprenticeship with my local ambulance service.

I’m a chartered civil engineer and live in south east London. I was inspired to serve through the Duke of Edinburgh award, and joined the Army Reserves in 2014. I did basic training with 202 Squadron RLC in Ipswich before transferring to 131 Commando in 2015. Before leaving the reserves in 2018 I completed the commando course and combat engineers training. In my spare time I’ve climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Elbrus and Mera Peak. I’m also a keen ‘casual’ bird watcher and proud owner of a border terrier.

I’ve been friends with Jason since university days and a memorable backpacking trip across Egypt. My background is in marketing and customer communications, so I help Jason pull together blogs for the Freestyle Functional Fitness website.

I used to be a big runner, completing many full- and half-marathons. These days I enjoy a quiet life in glorious Devon. Most weekends you’ll find me wet through in a local pub, after a cheeky hike on Dartmoor.

I worked with Jason to build his Freestyle Functional Fitness website, and added the Los Leones content you’re reading here. My expertise lies in analysing websites, understanding their weaknesses and improving them. I build websites, ensuring they perform to their full potential in search engines, and that humans love them too.