DE&S Operations Manager and former British Army solider, Liam Smith, was diagnosed with the debilitating autoimmune condition Crohn’s Disease in 2014. Fast forward a decade and, armed with his resilience and sheer determination, he has defied all odds and will be representing Great Britain on a global stage when he competes in the 2024 WheelWOD Adaptive CrossFit Games in Texas, USA later this month.

Having joined the army straight from school at the age of 16, Liam left after nine years serving in the Corps of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers due to his ill health. While in the army, he also undertook a secondary role as a personal trainer, and it is this experience that has stuck with him, alongside his job at DE&S, and spurred him on to pursue his athletic ambitions, despite his adversity.

Liam went through years of tests and even spent time in intensive care, barely being able to walk, as the illness continued to significantly impact his life, before he was officially diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease, a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract.

Having suffered often daily symptoms including digestive issues, abdominal pain, low immunity, chronic fatigue, joint immobilisation, weight loss, and malnutrition, he set his sights on overcoming his health and wellness challenges. With medical intervention and time recovering, remarkably, he went on to successfully audition for the Adaptive CrossFit Games and remains laser-focused on making the most of his once in a lifetime opportunity.

CrossFit, which is known for combining strength, endurance, and functional high-intensity movements, appealed to Liam from his first workout. But when he tried to compete against able bodied athletes, time and time again he found his body would taper off towards the final crucial stages, due to his Crohn’s, leaving him depleted in energy and facing longer recovery times.

Undeterred, with his resilient nature and support of those around him, through his own research he was able to discover Adaptive CrossFit, and the rest is history.

For the first time ever, this year, CrossFit is including a new division in the adaptive categories called Standing Diagnosed and it is this division that Liam is entering. Having submitted his workout videos to the judging panel, going up against competitors around the world, he was victorious in reaching the finals which will be held in San Antonio, Texas across four days from 19 to 22 September.

Liam, who is currently ranked 9th in the world in the Adaptive CrossFit Games, said: “It feels surreal, but I am proud to be representing Great Britain, and others with Crohn’s and hidden disabilities. Finding CrossFit has been transformative for me. It has given me not just a way to stay fit, but a supportive community that believes in pushing boundaries and overcoming obstacles. The adaptive division has opened doors I never thought possible, allowing me to compete and demonstrate resilience and strength.

“Hospitalisation and treatments have made every achievement in the gym a hard-fought victory. Yet, these challenges have also fuelled my determination to push through and not let this disease define my limits. Despite these challenges, I refused to give up. Initially, my goal was simply to move, have fun and stay active. Then, as I progressed to the semi-finals, something incredible happened – I qualified for the Adaptive CrossFit finals!

“I want to prove that no matter the setback, no matter your disability, anything is possible. I want to empower people with hidden disabilities, especially Crohn’s, to thrive and to take the leap, like I have, to show that anything is possible on the world stage, no matter the circumstances.”

Thanks to £720 funding from the Civil Service Sports Council (CSSC) and £1705 generously donated through a 24-hour community fundraising event organised by his local Crossfit Monarch Borough Parade gym, Liam is making his dreams a reality, with the funding covering travel costs and bespoke one-to-one training.

Liam begins his days at 5.30am with his morning training taking place soon after, ending with a 7.30pm evening workout, whilst adding nursery and school runs and his day job to the mix.

With the help of his personal trainer, Liam is preparing for the competition by working out with adapted routines including Olympic lifting and gymnastics. Through customised exercises with adjusted intensity and recovery programmes, he is able to safely enhance his mobility and strength whilst optimising his performance.

Liam added: “I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt thanks to my wife, Letty, and my family, friends, and colleagues for their unwavering support. A special thanks to CrossFit Monarch and my incredible coaches, as well as the Gastro team at RUH Bath, whose care and expertise have been invaluable. Their encouragement, patience, and belief in me have been a constant source of strength, and I am deeply grateful to have them all by my side.

“I would also like to extend my sincere gratitude to DE&S, especially Barry Paton, my previous Line Manager, for his invaluable support during the early stages of my CrossFit journey. I am also deeply thankful to Jo Osburn, Director of HR, whose guidance and belief in me helped me navigate through some challenging times. Additionally, I want to acknowledge Nick Daniels, Land CFO and my current Line Manager, for his ongoing support. There are so many other fantastic people who have supported me, not only during this stage, but also throughout the early days of my diagnosis and hospitalisation. I am truly grateful for the unwavering encouragement from all those who have played a role in this journey.”

Over the four days of the CrossFit Adaptive Games, there will be seven events assessing participants’ competitive workouts and Liam’s efforts will then be compared against the other 10 athletes in his division before the winner is crowned.

Nick Daniels, CFO Land at DE&S, added: “I would like to say a huge congratulations to Liam on being invited to represent Great Britain at the Adaptive Crossfit Games. As a result of his condition, Liam has had to put an enormous amount of effort and dedication into this event, and I commend him for overcoming his adversity and focusing on his wellbeing to achieve great success and national acclaim. Well done, Liam, we’re all rooting for you.”

You can follow Liam’s progress live on CrossFit.com.