OUR COACHES

Richard Fabbri

  • Owner
  • CrossFit L2 Trainer
  • CrossFit Gymnastics
  • CrossFit Weightlifting
  • Coaching Olympic Weightlifting Level 2 (British Weightlifting)
  • Personal Training Level 3 (Reebok Fitness Academy)

Richard started in the fitness industry in 1988 as a PTI in the military then qualifying as a Personal Trainer in 1992. He has been involved in fitness ever since, finding CrossFit in South Africa in 2012 and bringing it to Portland in 2014.

Richard has competed at a high level in the masters circuit being crowned fittest in Africa in 2019 and 2020. He has qualified and competed in 3 international CrossFit Sanctional events: French Throwdown, Strength in Depth (London) and the Madrid Throwdown.

He brings a lot of his experience gained in competition to the box and its programming.

Liz Fabbri

  • CrossFit L2 Trainer
  • CrossFit Kids Head Coach
  • Fashion and Textile Teacher - Helpful in apparel advice

With over eight years of competitive CrossFit experience—both as an individual and in pairs—Coach Liz brings passion, precision, and creativity to every class she leads. A certified CrossFit Level 2 Coach with a CrossFit Kids qualification, she heads up the gym’s thriving Kids & Teens program, inspiring the next generation of athletes with her energy, patience, and positivity.

Liz’s love for burpees is legendary. So much so, she competed—and won—the international Burpee Games in 2021. Her drive to challenge herself and others is matched only by her love of coaching, whether it’s in the gym or in the classroom.

By day, Liz teaches fashion design, blending her eye for detail with her fitness expertise. She’s also the nutrition coach at the box, offering practical, personalized guidance to help members fuel their performance. Married to the head coach, Liz leads the design of the gym’s apparel, bringing her creative flair to everything from team uniforms to merch.

Whether you’re curious about macros, mobility, or the latest gym gear, Liz is always happy to chat.

Josh Smith

  • CrossFit L1 Trainer
  • Coaching Olympic Weightlifting Level 1 (British Weightlifting)

Josh has been dedicated to CrossFit since 2018, drawn to its intensity, community, and constant challenge. In 2024, he became a certified CrossFit Coach, eager to share his knowledge and help others push past their limits.

As a competitor, Josh has tested himself both individually and as part of a team in local and national CrossFit events, gaining valuable experience across different competition formats. Beyond CrossFit, he has also competed individually and as part of a team in the Cornish Gig Rowing World Championships in the Isles of Scilly for several years now, proving his endurance, teamwork, and resilience in one of the most demanding rowing competitions in the world.

With a strong background in both functional fitness and endurance sports, Josh brings a well-rounded approach to coaching, focusing on strength, conditioning, and mental toughness. Whether you're stepping into the gym for the first time or training to compete, Josh is committed to helping you achieve your goals.

Selina Saunders

  • CrossFit Level 1 Trainer
  • British Weightlifting Level 1
  • Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist

Selina has been part of the local CrossFit community since 2017. From the moment she stepped into the gym she fell in love with the constantly varied and high intensity workouts that CrossFit is known for.

From a young age she has been heavily involved in a variety of competitive sports. These days her passion lies in competing at CrossFit events with the amazing friends she has made on her CrossFit journey.

With her background in Sports Science and a degree in Physiotherapy she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her coaching role as well as plenty of energy and a good sense of humour!

Leah Short

  • British Weightlifting Level 1 Coach

With a background in powerlifting, competitive rowing, and swimming, Leah was once a CrossFit sceptic turned convert. After giving it a go in 2023, the community and coaching team completely won her over.

She loves the variety of movements and the constant pursuit of improvement—developing new skills in her 30s. Now, she’s on a mission to build strong, capable athletes and help people feel confident with a barbell in hand.

A big fan of weightlifting and the assault bike (yes, really), she’s always first in for a barbell workout… burpees and running are still a work in progress.